The best universities for Iberian 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 Strathclyde, followed by The University of Surrey and Royal Holloway and Bedford New College make up the leading three for Iberian 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 29 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Strathclyde leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 29 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Strathclyde
It has climbed 7 places from 8 in the previous table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Assessment and feedbackFeedback helps improvement
96.0% positive—21.2 percentage points above the 74.8% all-provider peer average.
- Assessment and feedbackAssessments demonstrate learning
100.0% positive—17.9 percentage points above the 82.1% all-provider peer average.
The University of Surrey
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 100.0%, which is 25.4 points above the 74.6% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 29 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
Royal Holloway and Bedford New College
Where it stands out: Clear marking criteria is 94.5%, which is 16.1 points above the 78.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 29 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 2 in the previous table.
University of St Andrews
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 72.5%, which is 14.1 points above the 58.5% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 29 providers are included. It has fallen 3 places from 1 in the previous table.
University of York
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 100.0%, which is 22.4 points above the 77.6% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 29 providers are included. It has climbed 8 places from 13 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 Iberian 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 | 82024–2025 average | ↑ 7 | University of Strathclyde2025–2026 average | 91.77% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | —Not ranked | New | The University of Surrey2026 only | 91.03% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | Royal Holloway and Bedford New College2025–2026 average | 90.37% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 12024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | University of St Andrews2025–2026 average | 90.11% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 132024–2025 average | ↑ 8 | University of York2025–2026 average | 89.94% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | —Not ranked | New | The University of Sheffield2026 only | 89.61% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 52024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | The University of Warwick2025–2026 average | 89.40% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 42024–2025 average | ↓ 4 | The University of Westminster2025–2026 average | 86.98% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 92024–2025 average | — | The University of Bath2025–2026 average | 86.89% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 72024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | University of Southampton2025–2026 average | 86.06% | 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 Iberian 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 Iberian studies ranking
What leads the Iberian studies ranking in 2026?
University of Strathclyde is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 91.77%. 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 Iberian studies ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.