The best universities for Sociology
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 Suffolk, followed by The University of Surrey and University of Bedfordshire make up the leading three for Sociology 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 120 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Suffolk leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 120 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Suffolk
It has climbed 7 places from 8 in the previous table. It is position 4 when every current provider is included.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
97.3% positive—17.3 percentage points above the 80.0% all-provider peer average.
- Learning opportunitiesBalance of directed and independent study
94.5% positive—15.6 percentage points above the 78.8% all-provider peer average.
The University of Surrey
Where it stands out: Feedback received on time is 97.5%, which is 14.2 points above the 83.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 120 providers are included. It has climbed 3 places from 5 in the previous table.
University of Bedfordshire
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 83.4%, which is 17.1 points above the 66.3% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 120 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 2 in the previous table.
Glyndwr University
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 93.8%, which is 19.3 points above the 74.6% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 7 when all 120 providers are included. It has fallen 3 places from 1 in the previous table.
University of Chester
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 85.5%, which is 19.1 points above the 66.3% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 8 when all 120 providers are included. It has climbed 17 places from 22 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 Sociology
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 | 82024–2025 average | ↑ 7 | University of Suffolk2025–2026 average | 91.41% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 52024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | The University of Surrey2025–2026 average | 91.22% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | University of Bedfordshire2025–2026 average | 91.07% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 12024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | Glyndwr University2025–2026 average | 90.09% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 222024–2025 average | ↑ 17 | University of Chester2025–2026 average | 89.45% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 62024–2025 average | — | Leeds Trinity University2025–2026 average | 89.29% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 102024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | Manchester Metropolitan University2025–2026 average | 88.74% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 672024–2025 average | ↑ 59 | Queen's University of Belfast2025–2026 average | 88.25% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 312024–2025 average | ↑ 22 | Birmingham City University2025–2026 average | 88.11% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 172024–2025 average | ↑ 7 | Loughborough University2025–2026 average | 88.01% | 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 Sociology 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 Sociology ranking
What leads the Sociology ranking in 2026?
University of Suffolk is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 91.41%. 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 Sociology ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.