The best universities for Complementary and alternative medicine
A student-opinion league table using only what recent undergraduates said in the National Student Survey—not research reputation, entry grades or staff ratios.
Glasgow Caledonian University, followed by Teesside University and University of Ulster make up the leading three for Complementary and alternative medicine 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 28 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why Glasgow Caledonian University leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 28 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
Glasgow Caledonian University
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
97.6% positive—28.0 percentage points above the 69.6% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementChanges are communicated well
97.6% positive—23.4 percentage points above the 74.2% all-provider peer average.
Teesside University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 91.7%, which is 21.8 points above the 69.9% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 28 providers are included. It has climbed 1 place from 3 in the previous table.
University of Ulster
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 94.1%, which is 24.3 points above the 69.8% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 28 providers are included. It has climbed 7 places from 10 in the previous table.
Swansea University
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 92.5%, which is 18.2 points above the 74.3% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 28 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 6 in the previous table.
University of Salford, the
Where it stands out: Subject resources are accessible is 93.7%, which is 11.4 points above the 82.3% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 7 when all 28 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 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 Complementary and alternative medicine
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 | — | Glasgow Caledonian University2025–2026 average | 95.91% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 32024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | Teesside University2025–2026 average | 92.43% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 102024–2025 average | ↑ 7 | University of Ulster2025–2026 average | 91.96% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 62024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | Swansea University2025–2026 average | 91.25% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 52024–2025 average | — | University of Salford, the2025–2026 average | 90.86% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 4 | University of Northampton, the2025–2026 average | 90.11% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 92024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Huddersfield2025–2026 average | 84.23% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 42024–2025 average | ↓ 4 | University of Plymouth2025–2026 average | 83.23% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 152024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | University of Wolverhampton2025–2026 average | 81.39% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 82024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | University of South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru2025–2026 average | 80.76% | 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 Complementary and alternative medicine 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 Complementary and alternative medicine ranking
What leads the Complementary and alternative medicine ranking in 2026?
Glasgow Caledonian University is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 95.91%. 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 Complementary and alternative medicine ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.