The best universities for English studies (non-specific)
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 Northampton, the, followed by Liverpool John Moores University and Edinburgh Napier University make up the leading three for English studies (non-specific) 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 44 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Northampton, the leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 44 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Northampton, the
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
95.5% positive—28.0 percentage points above the 67.4% all-provider peer average.
- Assessment and feedbackClear marking criteria
100.0% positive—22.0 percentage points above the 78.0% all-provider peer average.
Liverpool John Moores University
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 96.2%, which is 15.0 points above the 81.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 44 providers are included. It has climbed 6 places from 8 in the previous table.
Edinburgh Napier University
Where it stands out: Balance of directed and independent study is 89.5%, which is 10.8 points above the 78.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 44 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 5 in the previous table.
Sheffield Hallam University
Where it stands out: Clear marking criteria is 94.5%, which is 16.4 points above the 78.1% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 44 providers are included. It has climbed 6 places from 10 in the previous table.
The University of Leicester
Where it stands out: Clear marking criteria is 92.4%, which is 14.2 points above the 78.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 44 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 7 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 studies (non-specific)
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 Northampton, the2025–2026 average | 98.18% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 82024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | Liverpool John Moores University2025–2026 average | 93.18% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 52024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | Edinburgh Napier University2025–2026 average | 92.56% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 102025 only | ↑ 6 | Sheffield Hallam University2025–2026 average | 92.32% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 72024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Leicester2025–2026 average | 91.98% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 432024–2025 average | ↑ 37 | Birmingham City University2025–2026 average | 90.78% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 202024–2025 average | ↑ 13 | Swansea University2025–2026 average | 90.18% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 242024–2025 average | ↑ 16 | Loughborough University2025–2026 average | 90.10% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 152024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | Brunel University London2025–2026 average | 89.89% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 92024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | University of Aberdeen2025–2026 average | 89.83% | 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 studies (non-specific) 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 studies (non-specific) ranking
What leads the English studies (non-specific) ranking in 2026?
University of Northampton, the is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 98.18%. 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 studies (non-specific) ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.