The best universities for Creative writing
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 Hull, followed by University of Southampton and University of Derby make up the leading three for Creative writing 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 65 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why The University of Hull leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 65 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
The University of Hull
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
97.3% positive—30.4 percentage points above the 66.9% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
97.5% positive—19.3 percentage points above the 78.2% all-provider peer average.
University of Southampton
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 100.0%, which is 21.8 points above the 78.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 65 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
University of Derby
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 100.0%, which is 21.8 points above the 78.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 65 providers are included. It has climbed 3 places from 6 in the previous table.
University of Lancashire
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 86.3%, which is 19.2 points above the 67.1% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 65 providers are included. It has climbed 5 places from 9 in the previous table.
Nottingham Trent University
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 100.0%, which is 21.8 points above the 78.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 65 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
“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 Creative writing
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 | — | The University of Hull2025–2026 average | 96.73% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 22025 only | — | University of Southampton2025–2026 average | 95.68% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 62024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | University of Derby2025–2026 average | 94.84% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 92024–2025 average | ↑ 5 | University of Lancashire2025–2026 average | 94.62% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | —Not ranked | New | Nottingham Trent University2026 only | 94.20% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 122024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | Leeds Arts University2025–2026 average | 93.25% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | —Not ranked | New | Leeds Beckett University2026 only | 93.20% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 52024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | Loughborough University2025–2026 average | 92.77% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | —Not ranked | New | Oxford Brookes University2026 only | 92.20% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 132024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | York St John University2025–2026 average | 91.78% | 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 Creative writing 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 Creative writing ranking
What leads the Creative writing ranking in 2026?
The University of Hull is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 96.73%. 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 Creative writing ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.