The best universities for Artificial intelligence
A student-opinion league table using only what recent undergraduates said in the National Student Survey—not research reputation, entry grades or staff ratios.
University of East London, followed by The University of Birmingham and University of Northampton, the make up the leading three for Artificial intelligence in our 2026 student-view ranking.
Unlike a conventional university guide, this list makes one narrow comparison: how positively recent students described their course experience. The score gives equal influence to the 26 questions shared across all three NSS files and averages 2025 with 2026 wherever both are published. Because this subject has 38 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of East London leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 38 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of East London
It has climbed 2 places from 3 in the previous table. It is position 2 when every current provider is included.
- Assessment and feedbackFeedback helps improvement
98.8% positive—31.3 percentage points above the 67.5% all-provider peer average.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
92.8% positive—26.2 percentage points above the 66.6% all-provider peer average.
The University of Birmingham
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 88.0%, which is 21.3 points above the 66.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 38 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 4 in the previous table.
University of Northampton, the
Where it stands out: Student opinions are valued is 100.0%, which is 19.5 points above the 80.5% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 38 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
Birmingham City University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 86.7%, which is 19.9 points above the 66.8% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 38 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
The University of Bath
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 85.3%, which is 18.5 points above the 66.8% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 38 providers are included. It has fallen 3 places from 2 in the previous table.
“Above average” compares each provider with every other current provider in this subject. It describes relative NSS strength, not course content, admissions or graduate outcomes.
Top 10 for Artificial intelligence
Current positions use the 2025+2026 window. Previous positions use 2024+2025; “New” means no eligible prior comparison.
| Current pos.2025+2026 table | Previous pos.2024+2025 table | Change | University | Score | Current score data | Questions | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 32024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | University of East London2025–2026 average | 95.24% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 42024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Birmingham2025–2026 average | 92.51% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | —Not ranked | New | University of Northampton, the2026 only | 89.89% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | —Not ranked | New | Birmingham City University2026 only | 89.64% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | The University of Bath2025–2026 average | 88.48% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 12025 only | ↓ 5 | Anglia Ruskin University2025–2026 average | 87.48% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | —Not ranked | New | The University of Bradford2026 only | 87.22% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | —Not ranked | New | Swansea University2026 only | 87.21% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 52024–2025 average | ↓ 4 | The University of Sheffield2025–2026 average | 86.98% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 62024–2025 average | ↓ 4 | University of Staffordshire2025–2026 average | 86.69% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 |
Universities are shown by default. The site-wide switch can include every current NSS provider in this live top ten.
See the complete Artificial intelligence ranking →One source. One clear point of view.
The National Student Survey asks final-year undergraduates about teaching, learning opportunities, assessment and feedback, support, organisation, resources, student voice, their students’ union and wellbeing information.
We do not add research output, selectivity, institutional spending, staff ratios or graduate salary data. Those measures may be useful elsewhere, but they cannot change what former students said about studying this subject.
Read the complete methodology →About this Artificial intelligence ranking
What leads the Artificial intelligence ranking in 2026?
University of East London is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 95.24%. The result reflects student opinion across the common questions, not a prediction of which institution will suit every applicant.
Why average two NSS years?
Averaging 2025 and 2026 makes the result less sensitive to one unusual cohort. A provider must have published 2026 data to enter the current table; a 2026-only entrant is included and labelled “New”.
Where can I see every university?
The full Artificial intelligence ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.