The best universities for Sport and exercise sciences
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 Greater Manchester, followed by The University of Lancaster and Swansea University make up the leading three for Sport and exercise sciences 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 110 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Greater Manchester leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 110 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Greater Manchester
It has climbed 4 places from 5 in the previous table. It is position 5 when every current provider is included.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
93.8% positive—16.9 percentage points above the 76.9% all-provider peer average.
- Assessment and feedbackFeedback helps improvement
100.0% positive—16.4 percentage points above the 83.6% all-provider peer average.
The University of Lancaster
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 93.8%, which is 16.8 points above the 76.9% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 7 when all 110 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 4 in the previous table.
Swansea University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 92.3%, which is 15.4 points above the 76.9% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 8 when all 110 providers are included. It has climbed 9 places from 12 in the previous table.
University of Northampton, the
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 99.2%, which is 13.2 points above the 86.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 9 when all 110 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 3 in the previous table.
Lincoln Bishop University
Where it stands out: Balance of directed and independent study is 100.0%, which is 15.6 points above the 84.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 12 when all 110 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 Sport and exercise sciences
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 | 52024–2025 average | ↑ 4 | University of Greater Manchester2025–2026 average | 97.43% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 42024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Lancaster2025–2026 average | 95.19% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 122024–2025 average | ↑ 9 | Swansea University2025–2026 average | 95.02% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 32024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | University of Northampton, the2025–2026 average | 94.20% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 222024–2025 average | ↑ 17 | Lincoln Bishop University2025–2026 average | 93.52% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 72024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | Buckinghamshire New University2025–2026 average | 92.34% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 162024–2025 average | ↑ 9 | University of Strathclyde2025–2026 average | 91.95% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 442024–2025 average | ↑ 36 | Robert Gordon University2025–2026 average | 91.52% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 142024–2025 average | ↑ 5 | The University of Surrey2025–2026 average | 91.40% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 212024–2025 average | ↑ 11 | Teesside University2025–2026 average | 91.12% | 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 Sport and exercise sciences 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 Sport and exercise sciences ranking
What leads the Sport and exercise sciences ranking in 2026?
University of Greater Manchester is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 97.43%. 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 Sport and exercise sciences ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.