The best universities for Media 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 Staffordshire, followed by The University of Surrey and University of East London make up the leading three for Media 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 100 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Staffordshire leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 100 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Staffordshire
It has climbed 25 places from 26 in the previous table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Assessment and feedbackFeedback received on time
100.0% positive—16.4 percentage points above the 83.6% all-provider peer average.
- Learning opportunitiesSkills for the future
96.8% positive—16.1 percentage points above the 80.7% all-provider peer average.
The University of Surrey
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 96.9%, which is 28.8 points above the 68.1% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 100 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 1 in the previous table.
University of East London
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 96.8%, which is 17.5 points above the 79.3% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 100 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 5 in the previous table.
University of St Andrews
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 94.5%, which is 18.2 points above the 76.3% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 100 providers are included. It has climbed 9 places from 13 in the previous table.
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 83.3%, which is 15.1 points above the 68.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 100 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 Media 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 | 262024–2025 average | ↑ 25 | University of Staffordshire2025–2026 average | 94.08% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 12024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | The University of Surrey2025–2026 average | 93.52% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 52024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | University of East London2025–2026 average | 91.06% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 132024–2025 average | ↑ 9 | University of St Andrews2025–2026 average | 90.60% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 32024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | Cardiff Metropolitan University2025–2026 average | 90.18% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 282024–2025 average | ↑ 22 | Brunel University London2025–2026 average | 89.72% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | —Not ranked | New | Arts University Plymouth2026 only | 89.58% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 62024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | Loughborough University2025–2026 average | 89.49% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 102024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | Swansea University2025–2026 average | 89.31% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 82024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | Prifysgol Aberystwyth2025–2026 average | 88.86% | 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 Media 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 Media studies ranking
What leads the Media studies ranking in 2026?
University of Staffordshire is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 94.08%. 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 Media studies ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.