The best universities for Philosophy
A student-opinion league table using only what recent undergraduates said in the National Student Survey—not research reputation, entry grades or staff ratios.
Birmingham Newman University, followed by The University of Chichester and Oxford Brookes University make up the leading three for Philosophy 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 57 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why Birmingham Newman University leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 57 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
Birmingham Newman University
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Students' unionStudents' union represents academic interests
94.8% positive—25.3 percentage points above the 69.5% all-provider peer average.
- Assessment and feedbackFeedback helps improvement
99.2% positive—22.4 percentage points above the 76.7% all-provider peer average.
The University of Chichester
Where it stands out: Clear marking criteria is 100.0%, which is 23.6 points above the 76.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 57 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
Oxford Brookes University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 92.9%, which is 26.6 points above the 66.3% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 57 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
Leeds Trinity University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 100.0%, which is 33.8 points above the 66.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 57 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 84.9%, which is 18.5 points above the 66.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 57 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 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 Philosophy
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 | — | Birmingham Newman University2025–2026 average | 96.43% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | —Not ranked | New | The University of Chichester2026 only | 94.09% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 32024–2025 average | — | Oxford Brookes University2025–2026 average | 93.01% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | —Not ranked | New | Leeds Trinity University2026 only | 92.53% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 52024–2025 average | — | University of Newcastle upon Tyne2025–2026 average | 92.26% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 42024–2025 average | ↓ 2 | University of the West of England, Bristol2025–2026 average | 91.36% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 82024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | University of Lincoln2025–2026 average | 90.81% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 72024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | Bangor University2025–2026 average | 90.67% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 102024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | University of St Andrews2025–2026 average | 90.27% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | —Not ranked | New | The University of Surrey2026 only | 90.26% | 2026 only | 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 Philosophy 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 Philosophy ranking
What leads the Philosophy ranking in 2026?
Birmingham Newman University is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 96.43%. 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 Philosophy ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.