The best universities for Health studies
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 Winchester, followed by The University of Hull and Birmingham Newman University make up the leading three for Health studies 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 72 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Winchester leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 72 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Winchester
It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position. It is position 2 when every current provider is included.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
100.0% positive—18.6 percentage points above the 81.4% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
100.0% positive—16.9 percentage points above the 83.1% all-provider peer average.
The University of Hull
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 100.0%, which is 16.9 points above the 83.1% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 72 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 1 in the previous table.
Birmingham Newman University
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 96.5%, which is 13.3 points above the 83.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 9 when all 72 providers are included. It has climbed 8 places from 11 in the previous table.
Leeds Beckett University
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 100.0%, which is 15.2 points above the 84.8% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 12 when all 72 providers are included. It has climbed 3 places from 7 in the previous table.
University of Staffordshire
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 95.5%, which is 14.0 points above the 81.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 14 when all 72 providers are included. It has climbed 22 places from 27 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 Health studies
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 | —Not ranked | New | University of Winchester2026 only | 99.45% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 12024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | The University of Hull2025–2026 average | 98.98% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 112024–2025 average | ↑ 8 | Birmingham Newman University2025–2026 average | 95.34% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 72024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | Leeds Beckett University2025–2026 average | 94.72% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 272024–2025 average | ↑ 22 | University of Staffordshire2025–2026 average | 93.89% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 52024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | University of Wales: Trinity Saint David2025–2026 average | 93.41% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 132024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | Buckinghamshire New University2025–2026 average | 93.07% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 6 | University of Greater Manchester2025–2026 average | 92.89% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 82024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | Manchester Metropolitan University2025–2026 average | 92.86% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 92024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | University of Sunderland2025–2026 average | 92.81% | 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 Health studies 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 Health studies ranking
What leads the Health studies ranking in 2026?
University of Winchester is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 99.45%. 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 Health studies ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.