The best universities for Cinematics and photography
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 Bedfordshire, followed by Canterbury Christ Church University and University of Durham make up the leading three for Cinematics and photography 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 103 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Bedfordshire leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 103 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Bedfordshire
It has climbed 1 place from 2 in the previous table. It is position 4 when every current provider is included.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
88.5% positive—21.4 percentage points above the 67.1% all-provider peer average.
- Students' unionStudents' union represents academic interests
92.6% positive—21.2 percentage points above the 71.4% all-provider peer average.
Canterbury Christ Church University
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 90.1%, which is 25.4 points above the 64.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 103 providers are included. It has climbed 13 places from 15 in the previous table.
University of Durham
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 92.8%, which is 28.2 points above the 64.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 103 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
University of Wales: Trinity Saint David
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 87.8%, which is 20.7 points above the 67.1% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 7 when all 103 providers are included. It has climbed 18 places from 22 in the previous table.
University of Wolverhampton
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 90.1%, which is 23.1 points above the 67.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 9 when all 103 providers are included. It has climbed 6 places from 11 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 Cinematics and photography
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 | 22024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | University of Bedfordshire2025–2026 average | 94.57% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 152024–2025 average | ↑ 13 | Canterbury Christ Church University2025–2026 average | 91.38% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 32025 only | — | University of Durham2025–2026 average | 91.34% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 222024–2025 average | ↑ 18 | University of Wales: Trinity Saint David2025–2026 average | 90.94% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 112024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | University of Wolverhampton2025–2026 average | 89.78% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 12024–2025 average | ↓ 5 | Coventry University2025–2026 average | 89.69% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 42024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | The University of Surrey2025–2026 average | 88.79% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 82024–2025 average | — | London Metropolitan University2025–2026 average | 88.51% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 312024–2025 average | ↑ 22 | University of Worcester2025–2026 average | 88.05% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 332024–2025 average | ↑ 23 | University of the West of Scotland2025–2026 average | 87.82% | 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 Cinematics and photography 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 Cinematics and photography ranking
What leads the Cinematics and photography ranking in 2026?
University of Bedfordshire is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 94.57%. 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 Cinematics and photography ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.