The best universities for Journalism
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 Leeds, followed by University of the West of Scotland and University of Wolverhampton make up the leading three for Journalism 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 52 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why The University of Leeds leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 52 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
The University of Leeds
It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
100.0% positive—26.4 percentage points above the 73.6% all-provider peer average.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
90.5% positive—20.8 percentage points above the 69.7% all-provider peer average.
University of the West of Scotland
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 100.0%, which is 30.5 points above the 69.5% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 52 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
University of Wolverhampton
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 100.0%, which is 24.1 points above the 75.9% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 52 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
The University of West London
Where it stands out: Course is intellectually stimulating is 100.0%, which is 22.6 points above the 77.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 52 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
University of Lancashire
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 86.8%, which is 17.1 points above the 69.8% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 52 providers are included. It has fallen 2 places from 3 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 Journalism
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 | The University of Leeds2026 only | 96.51% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | —Not ranked | New | University of the West of Scotland2026 only | 96.33% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | —Not ranked | New | University of Wolverhampton2026 only | 94.49% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | —Not ranked | New | The University of West London2026 only | 93.82% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 32024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | University of Lancashire2025–2026 average | 92.84% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 192024–2025 average | ↑ 13 | The University of East Anglia2025–2026 average | 92.07% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | —Not ranked | New | York St John University2026 only | 91.77% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 62024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | The University of Sheffield2025–2026 average | 91.22% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 142024–2025 average | ↑ 5 | De Montfort University2025–2026 average | 90.29% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 122024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | University of Northampton, the2025–2026 average | 88.55% | 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 Journalism 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 Journalism ranking
What leads the Journalism ranking in 2026?
The University of Leeds is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 96.51%. 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 Journalism ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.