The best universities for Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
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 Lincoln, followed by Aston University and University of Northumbria at Newcastle make up the leading three for Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry 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 54 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Lincoln leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 54 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Lincoln
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Assessment and feedbackClear marking criteria
88.8% positive—13.4 percentage points above the 75.4% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementChanges are communicated well
97.3% positive—13.1 percentage points above the 84.2% all-provider peer average.
Aston University
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 84.6%, which is 14.6 points above the 70.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 54 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
University of Northumbria at Newcastle
Where it stands out: Balance of directed and independent study is 100.0%, which is 19.8 points above the 80.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 54 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
Sheffield Hallam University
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 83.6%, which is 13.6 points above the 70.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 54 providers are included. It has climbed 8 places from 12 in the previous table.
The University of Surrey
Where it stands out: Students' union represents academic interests is 94.3%, which is 16.0 points above the 78.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 54 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 Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry
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 Lincoln2025–2026 average | 91.82% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 22024–2025 average | — | Aston University2025–2026 average | 90.88% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | —Not ranked | New | University of Northumbria at Newcastle2026 only | 90.58% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 122024–2025 average | ↑ 8 | Sheffield Hallam University2025–2026 average | 90.53% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 72024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Surrey2025–2026 average | 90.46% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 102024–2025 average | ↑ 4 | The University of Essex2025–2026 average | 90.29% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 52024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | University of St Andrews2025–2026 average | 90.17% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 62024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | The University of Lancaster2025–2026 average | 89.07% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 82025 only | ↓ 1 | University of Aberdeen2025–2026 average | 88.79% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 182024–2025 average | ↑ 8 | Coventry University2025–2026 average | 88.71% | 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 Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry 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 Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry ranking
What leads the Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry ranking in 2026?
University of Lincoln is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 91.82%. 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 Molecular biology, biophysics and biochemistry ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.