The best universities for Statistics
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 Strathclyde, followed by University of Bristol and The University of Warwick make up the leading three for Statistics 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 22 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Strathclyde leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 22 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Strathclyde
It has climbed 1 place from 2 in the previous table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Students' unionStudents' union represents academic interests
90.8% positive—14.1 percentage points above the 76.7% all-provider peer average.
- Learning opportunitiesBalance of directed and independent study
96.3% positive—13.1 percentage points above the 83.2% all-provider peer average.
University of Bristol
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 88.9%, which is 17.1 points above the 71.8% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 22 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
The University of Warwick
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 82.0%, which is 9.9 points above the 72.1% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 22 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 5 in the previous table.
The University of Essex
Where it stands out: Fair marking and assessment is 99.0%, which is 13.4 points above the 85.6% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 22 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
The University of Leicester
Where it stands out: Feedback received on time is 96.4%, which is 15.4 points above the 81.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 22 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 Statistics
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 | 22024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | University of Strathclyde2025–2026 average | 92.24% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | —Not ranked | New | University of Bristol2026 only | 88.80% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 52024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Warwick2025–2026 average | 88.42% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 42024–2025 average | — | The University of Essex2025–2026 average | 87.84% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | —Not ranked | New | The University of Leicester2026 only | 87.74% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 62024–2025 average | — | University of Nottingham, the2025–2026 average | 86.43% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 162024–2025 average | ↑ 9 | Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine2025–2026 average | 85.81% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 82024–2025 average | — | The University of Manchester2025–2026 average | 85.76% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 192024–2025 average | ↑ 10 | University of Newcastle upon Tyne2025–2026 average | 85.51% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 12024–2025 average | ↓ 9 | Heriot-Watt University2025–2026 average | 85.32% | 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 Statistics 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 Statistics ranking
What leads the Statistics ranking in 2026?
University of Strathclyde is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 92.24%. 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 Statistics ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.