The best universities for Dance
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 Lincoln, followed by University of Salford, the and City St George's, University of London make up the leading three for Dance 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 30 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Lincoln leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 30 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Lincoln
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
96.9% positive—28.6 percentage points above the 68.3% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
96.9% positive—25.1 percentage points above the 71.8% all-provider peer average.
University of Salford, the
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 92.3%, which is 20.4 points above the 71.9% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 30 providers are included. It has climbed 1 place from 3 in the previous table.
City St George's, University of London
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 83.8%, which is 15.1 points above the 68.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 9 when all 30 providers are included. It has climbed 1 place from 4 in the previous table.
The University of Chichester
Where it stands out: IT resources support learning is 100.0%, which is 18.5 points above the 81.5% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 11 when all 30 providers are included. It has climbed 4 places from 8 in the previous table.
De Montfort University
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 91.2%, which is 16.4 points above the 74.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 12 when all 30 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 Dance
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 | 22025 only | ↑ 1 | University of Lincoln2025–2026 average | 96.77% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 32024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | University of Salford, the2025–2026 average | 92.67% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 42025 only | ↑ 1 | City St George's, University of London2025–2026 average | 91.72% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 82024–2025 average | ↑ 4 | The University of Chichester2025–2026 average | 89.86% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 52024–2025 average | — | De Montfort University2025–2026 average | 89.46% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | —Not ranked | New | Bath Spa University2026 only | 88.01% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | —Not ranked | New | Edge Hill University2026 only | 87.83% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 112024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | Roehampton University2025–2026 average | 83.90% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 92024–2025 average | — | University of East London2025–2026 average | 79.67% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 72024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | Leeds Beckett University2025–2026 average | 78.79% | 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 Dance 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 Dance ranking
What leads the Dance ranking in 2026?
University of Lincoln is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 96.77%. 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 Dance ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.