The best universities for Classics
A student-opinion league table using only what recent undergraduates said in the National Student Survey—not research reputation, entry grades or staff ratios.
The University of Leicester, followed by University of Winchester and University of St Andrews make up the leading three for Classics 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 25 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why The University of Leicester leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 25 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
The University of Leicester
It has climbed 1 place from 2 in the previous table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
89.8% positive—29.2 percentage points above the 60.7% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementChanges are communicated well
98.7% positive—19.9 percentage points above the 78.8% all-provider peer average.
University of Winchester
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 88.0%, which is 27.2 points above the 60.8% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 25 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 1 in the previous table.
University of St Andrews
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 93.0%, which is 14.0 points above the 79.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 25 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
The University of Reading
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 78.2%, which is 17.0 points above the 61.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 25 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 6 in the previous table.
Swansea University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 77.3%, which is 16.1 points above the 61.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 25 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 4 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 Classics
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 | The University of Leicester2025–2026 average | 94.66% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 12024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | University of Winchester2025–2026 average | 94.54% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 32024–2025 average | — | University of St Andrews2025–2026 average | 90.73% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 62024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Reading2025–2026 average | 89.82% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 42024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | Swansea University2025–2026 average | 88.83% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 162024–2025 average | ↑ 10 | The University of Manchester2025–2026 average | 88.03% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 52024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | The University of Birmingham2025–2026 average | 87.90% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 142024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | Royal Holloway and Bedford New College2025–2026 average | 87.53% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 72024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | The University of Leeds2025–2026 average | 85.99% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 102024–2025 average | — | University of Newcastle upon Tyne2025–2026 average | 85.73% | 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 Classics 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 Classics ranking
What leads the Classics ranking in 2026?
The University of Leicester is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 94.66%. 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 Classics ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.