The best universities for Law
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 Sunderland, followed by The University of Cumbria and University of South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru make up the leading three for Law 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 130 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Sunderland leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 130 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Sunderland
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 3 when every current provider is included.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
87.5% positive—20.8 percentage points above the 66.7% all-provider peer average.
- Assessment and feedbackFeedback helps improvement
89.0% positive—16.0 percentage points above the 72.9% all-provider peer average.
The University of Cumbria
Where it stands out: Clear marking criteria is 100.0%, which is 23.5 points above the 76.5% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 130 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
University of South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 87.8%, which is 21.1 points above the 66.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 130 providers are included. It has climbed 14 places from 17 in the previous table.
The University of Chichester
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 87.3%, which is 20.7 points above the 66.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 7 when all 130 providers are included. It has fallen 2 places from 2 in the previous table.
Edge Hill University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 89.0%, which is 22.4 points above the 66.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 8 when all 130 providers are included. It has climbed 4 places from 9 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 Law
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 Sunderland2025–2026 average | 93.72% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | —Not ranked | New | The University of Cumbria2026 only | 93.55% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 172024–2025 average | ↑ 14 | University of South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru2025–2026 average | 91.69% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | The University of Chichester2025–2026 average | 90.87% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 92024–2025 average | ↑ 4 | Edge Hill University2025–2026 average | 89.85% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 292024–2025 average | ↑ 23 | Abertay University2025–2026 average | 89.28% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 32024–2025 average | ↓ 4 | Southampton Solent University2025–2026 average | 88.94% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 252024–2025 average | ↑ 17 | University of Chester2025–2026 average | 88.88% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 112024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | Coventry University2025–2026 average | 88.74% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 302024–2025 average | ↑ 20 | London South Bank University2025–2026 average | 88.63% | 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 Law 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 Law ranking
What leads the Law ranking in 2026?
University of Sunderland is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 93.72%. 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 Law ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.