The best universities for Drama
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 Lancashire, followed by Southampton Solent University and University of East London make up the leading three for Drama 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 101 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Lancashire leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 101 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Lancashire
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—32.6 percentage points above the 64.8% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
94.5% positive—31.1 percentage points above the 63.4% all-provider peer average.
Southampton Solent University
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 95.8%, which is 32.4 points above the 63.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 101 providers are included. It has climbed 1 place from 3 in the previous table.
University of East London
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 96.7%, which is 26.6 points above the 70.1% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 101 providers are included. It has climbed 16 places from 19 in the previous table.
Edinburgh Napier University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 85.7%, which is 20.8 points above the 64.9% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 101 providers are included. It has fallen 2 places from 2 in the previous table.
University of Derby
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 100.0%, which is 30.0 points above the 70.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 8 when all 101 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 Drama
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 | — | University of Lancashire2025–2026 average | 98.11% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 32024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | Southampton Solent University2025–2026 average | 95.90% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 192024–2025 average | ↑ 16 | University of East London2025–2026 average | 92.73% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | Edinburgh Napier University2025–2026 average | 91.82% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 42025 only | ↓ 1 | University of Derby2025–2026 average | 90.60% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 152024–2025 average | ↑ 9 | University of Northampton, the2025–2026 average | 90.49% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 62024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | The University of Kent2025–2026 average | 90.33% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 82024–2025 average | — | University of Lincoln2025–2026 average | 89.97% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 52024–2025 average | ↓ 4 | Liverpool John Moores University2025–2026 average | 88.97% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | —Not ranked | New | University of Worcester2026 only | 88.72% | 2026 only | 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 Drama 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 Drama ranking
What leads the Drama ranking in 2026?
University of Lancashire is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 98.11%. 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 Drama ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.