The best universities for Environmental sciences
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 Aberdeen and Queen's University of Belfast make up the leading three for Environmental sciences 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 40 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 40 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 1 place from 2 in the previous table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Assessment and feedbackFeedback received on time
94.1% positive—14.7 percentage points above the 79.4% all-provider peer average.
- Students' unionStudents' union represents academic interests
85.4% positive—13.6 percentage points above the 71.8% all-provider peer average.
University of Aberdeen
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 90.9%, which is 24.2 points above the 66.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 40 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
Queen's University of Belfast
Where it stands out: Students' union represents academic interests is 100.0%, which is 28.6 points above the 71.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 40 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
University of Northumbria at Newcastle
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 94.2%, which is 12.6 points above the 81.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 40 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
Queen Mary University of London
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 83.2%, which is 16.3 points above the 66.9% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 40 providers are included. It has climbed 13 places from 18 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 Environmental sciences
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 | 22024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | The University of Reading2025–2026 average | 92.82% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | —Not ranked | New | University of Aberdeen2026 only | 92.20% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | —Not ranked | New | Queen's University of Belfast2026 only | 91.43% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 42024–2025 average | — | University of Northumbria at Newcastle2025–2026 average | 90.24% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 182024–2025 average | ↑ 13 | Queen Mary University of London2025–2026 average | 90.02% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 122024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | The University of Liverpool2025–2026 average | 89.59% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 62024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | University of Southampton2025–2026 average | 88.86% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 52024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | University of Brighton2025–2026 average | 88.69% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 32024–2025 average | ↓ 6 | The University of Sheffield2025–2026 average | 88.68% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 212024–2025 average | ↑ 11 | University of Dundee2025–2026 average | 88.56% | 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 Environmental sciences 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 Environmental sciences ranking
What leads the Environmental sciences ranking in 2026?
The University of Reading is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 92.82%. 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 Environmental sciences ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.