The best universities for English language
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 Hertfordshire, followed by The University of Birmingham and Swansea University make up the leading three for English language 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 Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Organisation and managementChanges are communicated well
100.0% positive—22.0 percentage points above the 78.0% all-provider peer average.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
84.5% positive—21.8 percentage points above the 62.7% all-provider peer average.
The University of Birmingham
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 99.0%, which is 21.0 points above the 78.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 30 providers are included. It has climbed 6 places from 8 in the previous table.
Swansea University
Where it stands out: Clear marking criteria is 98.0%, which is 21.7 points above the 76.3% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 30 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 2 in the previous table.
The University of Westminster
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 97.8%, which is 18.1 points above the 79.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 30 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 6 in the previous table.
University of Sussex
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 86.1%, which is 23.5 points above the 62.6% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 30 providers are included. It has climbed 9 places from 14 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 English language
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 | 12025 only | — | University of Hertfordshire2025–2026 average | 94.79% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 82024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | The University of Birmingham2025–2026 average | 92.98% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | Swansea University2025–2026 average | 92.19% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 62024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Westminster2025–2026 average | 90.64% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 142024–2025 average | ↑ 9 | University of Sussex2025–2026 average | 89.73% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 132024–2025 average | ↑ 7 | University of Glasgow2025–2026 average | 89.06% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 52024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | The University of Reading2025–2026 average | 88.73% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 102024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | York St John University2025–2026 average | 88.50% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 202024–2025 average | ↑ 11 | The University of Leeds2025–2026 average | 88.12% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 42024–2025 average | ↓ 6 | The University of Sheffield2025–2026 average | 86.88% | 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 English language 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 English language ranking
What leads the English language ranking in 2026?
University of Hertfordshire is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 94.79%. 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 English language ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.