The best universities for Mechanical engineering
A student-opinion league table using only what recent undergraduates said in the National Student Survey—not research reputation, entry grades or staff ratios.
Teesside University, followed by The University of Bradford and The University of Sheffield make up the leading three for Mechanical engineering 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 79 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why Teesside University leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 79 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
Teesside University
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Assessment and feedbackFeedback received on time
99.0% positive—27.1 percentage points above the 71.9% all-provider peer average.
- TeachingTeaching is engaging
93.4% positive—23.3 percentage points above the 70.1% all-provider peer average.
The University of Bradford
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 91.7%, which is 26.8 points above the 64.9% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 79 providers are included. It has climbed 7 places from 9 in the previous table.
The University of Sheffield
Where it stands out: Feedback received on time is 91.2%, which is 19.1 points above the 72.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 79 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 96.5%, which is 24.1 points above the 72.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 79 providers are included. It has climbed 6 places from 10 in the previous table.
University of Northumbria at Newcastle
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 81.7%, which is 17.9 points above the 63.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 79 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 7 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 Mechanical engineering
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 | — | Teesside University2025–2026 average | 92.79% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 92024–2025 average | ↑ 7 | The University of Bradford2025–2026 average | 90.49% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 32024–2025 average | — | The University of Sheffield2025–2026 average | 89.80% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 102024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine2025–2026 average | 88.13% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 72024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | University of Northumbria at Newcastle2025–2026 average | 87.12% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | —Not ranked | New | University of Wales: Trinity Saint David2026 only | 86.98% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 42024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | The University of Surrey2025–2026 average | 86.85% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 6 | London South Bank University2025–2026 average | 86.57% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 182024–2025 average | ↑ 9 | Loughborough University2025–2026 average | 86.40% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 152024–2025 average | ↑ 5 | Swansea University2025–2026 average | 86.19% | 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 Mechanical engineering 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 Mechanical engineering ranking
What leads the Mechanical engineering ranking in 2026?
Teesside University is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 92.79%. 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 Mechanical engineering ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.