The best universities for Education
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 Reading, followed by University of Hertfordshire and University of Wolverhampton make up the leading three for Education 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 116 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why The University of Reading leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 116 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
The University of Reading
It has climbed 11 places from 12 in the previous table. It is position 5 when every current provider is included.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
93.3% positive—15.8 percentage points above the 77.6% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
100.0% positive—15.7 percentage points above the 84.3% all-provider peer average.
University of Hertfordshire
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 92.9%, which is 15.3 points above the 77.6% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 9 when all 116 providers are included. It has climbed 12 places from 14 in the previous table.
University of Wolverhampton
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 92.2%, which is 14.6 points above the 77.6% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 11 when all 116 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
University of Derby
Where it stands out: Students' union represents academic interests is 93.9%, which is 11.8 points above the 82.1% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 18 when all 116 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 6 in the previous table.
University of Dundee
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 92.6%, which is 15.0 points above the 77.6% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 20 when all 116 providers are included. It has climbed 4 places from 9 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 Education
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 | 122024–2025 average | ↑ 11 | The University of Reading2025–2026 average | 97.54% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 142024–2025 average | ↑ 12 | University of Hertfordshire2025–2026 average | 96.16% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 32024–2025 average | — | University of Wolverhampton2025–2026 average | 95.98% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 62024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | University of Derby2025–2026 average | 94.65% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 92024–2025 average | ↑ 4 | University of Dundee2025–2026 average | 94.53% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 52024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | St Mary’s University, Twickenham2025–2026 average | 94.51% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 72024–2025 average | — | Edge Hill University2025–2026 average | 94.45% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 42024–2025 average | ↓ 4 | Lincoln Bishop University2025–2026 average | 94.32% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 82024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | The University of West London2025–2026 average | 93.99% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 262024–2025 average | ↑ 16 | University of Edinburgh2025–2026 average | 93.32% | 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 Education 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 Education ranking
What leads the Education ranking in 2026?
The University of Reading is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 97.54%. 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 Education ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.