The best universities for History
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 Derby, followed by University of Lancashire and Birmingham Newman University make up the leading three for History 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 91 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Derby leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 91 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Derby
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—29.1 percentage points above the 66.3% all-provider peer average.
- Assessment and feedbackClear marking criteria
100.0% positive—18.5 percentage points above the 81.5% all-provider peer average.
University of Lancashire
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 86.2%, which is 19.8 points above the 66.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 91 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 4 in the previous table.
Birmingham Newman University
Where it stands out: Students' union represents academic interests is 94.0%, which is 24.6 points above the 69.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 91 providers are included. It has climbed 3 places from 6 in the previous table.
Lincoln Bishop University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 85.7%, which is 19.2 points above the 66.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 91 providers are included. It has climbed 5 places from 9 in the previous table.
University of Hertfordshire
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 100.0%, which is 18.5 points above the 81.5% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 91 providers are included. It has climbed 3 places from 8 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 History
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 Derby2025–2026 average | 98.51% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 42024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | University of Lancashire2025–2026 average | 96.76% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 62024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | Birmingham Newman University2025–2026 average | 95.47% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 92024–2025 average | ↑ 5 | Lincoln Bishop University2025–2026 average | 93.86% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 82024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | University of Hertfordshire2025–2026 average | 93.71% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 172024–2025 average | ↑ 11 | University of Gloucestershire2025–2026 average | 93.26% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 72024–2025 average | — | Leeds Beckett University2025–2026 average | 93.10% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 32024–2025 average | ↓ 5 | Teesside University2025–2026 average | 93.04% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 122024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | University of Ulster2025–2026 average | 92.96% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 232024–2025 average | ↑ 13 | Bournemouth University2025–2026 average | 92.65% | 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 History 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 History ranking
What leads the History ranking in 2026?
University of Derby is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 98.51%. 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 History ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.