The best universities for Biosciences (non-specific)
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 the West of Scotland, followed by The University of Surrey and Loughborough University make up the leading three for Biosciences (non-specific) 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 36 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of the West of Scotland leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 36 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of the West of Scotland
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Assessment and feedbackFeedback helps improvement
94.5% positive—24.8 percentage points above the 69.8% all-provider peer average.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
88.3% positive—20.9 percentage points above the 67.4% all-provider peer average.
The University of Surrey
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 86.0%, which is 18.6 points above the 67.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 36 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 4 in the previous table.
Loughborough University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 86.1%, which is 18.7 points above the 67.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 36 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
The University of Essex
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 88.8%, which is 18.8 points above the 70.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 36 providers are included. It has climbed 1 place from 5 in the previous table.
Kingston University
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 80.5%, which is 10.4 points above the 70.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 36 providers are included. It has climbed 13 places from 18 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 Biosciences (non-specific)
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 | 12024–2025 average | — | University of the West of Scotland2025–2026 average | 93.66% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 42024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Surrey2025–2026 average | 92.41% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 32024–2025 average | — | Loughborough University2025–2026 average | 90.95% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 52024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | The University of Essex2025–2026 average | 89.18% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 182024–2025 average | ↑ 13 | Kingston University2025–2026 average | 88.67% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 62024–2025 average | — | University of the West of England, Bristol2025–2026 average | 88.13% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 5 | Aston University2025–2026 average | 87.33% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 132024–2025 average | ↑ 5 | University of Exeter2025–2026 average | 86.97% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 112024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Leicester2025–2026 average | 86.50% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | —Not ranked | New | Edinburgh Napier University2026 only | 86.40% | 2026 only | 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 Biosciences (non-specific) 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 Biosciences (non-specific) ranking
What leads the Biosciences (non-specific) ranking in 2026?
University of the West of Scotland is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 93.66%. 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 Biosciences (non-specific) ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.