The best universities for Production and manufacturing 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.
University of Nottingham, the, followed by The University of Lancaster and University of Portsmouth make up the leading three for Production and manufacturing 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 47 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Nottingham, the leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 47 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Nottingham, the
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
84.8% positive—23.8 percentage points above the 60.9% all-provider peer average.
- Assessment and feedbackFeedback helps improvement
89.8% positive—23.0 percentage points above the 66.9% all-provider peer average.
The University of Lancaster
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 88.9%, which is 28.0 points above the 60.9% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 47 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
University of Portsmouth
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 87.2%, which is 20.3 points above the 66.9% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 47 providers are included. It has climbed 1 place from 4 in the previous table.
University of Wales: Trinity Saint David
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 92.3%, which is 25.6 points above the 66.8% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 47 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 3 in the previous table.
University of Brighton
Where it stands out: Feedback received on time is 100.0%, which is 29.6 points above the 70.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 47 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
“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 Production and manufacturing 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 | 12025 only | — | University of Nottingham, the2025–2026 average | 91.62% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | —Not ranked | New | The University of Lancaster2026 only | 90.35% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 42024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | University of Portsmouth2025–2026 average | 87.08% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 32024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | University of Wales: Trinity Saint David2025–2026 average | 86.89% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | —Not ranked | New | University of Brighton2026 only | 86.88% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 22025 only | ↓ 4 | De Montfort University2025–2026 average | 85.79% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 62024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | Prifysgol Aberystwyth2025–2026 average | 84.57% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 92024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | University of Plymouth2025–2026 average | 84.53% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 82024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | The University of Sheffield2025–2026 average | 84.45% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 112024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | Loughborough University2025–2026 average | 82.95% | 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 Production and manufacturing 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 Production and manufacturing engineering ranking
What leads the Production and manufacturing engineering ranking in 2026?
University of Nottingham, the is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 91.62%. 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 Production and manufacturing engineering ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.