The best universities for Theology and religious studies
A student-opinion league table using only what recent undergraduates said in the National Student Survey—not research reputation, entry grades or staff ratios.
Roehampton University, followed by Leeds Trinity University and University of Chester make up the leading three for Theology and religious studies 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 39 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why Roehampton University leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 39 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
Roehampton University
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 4 when every current provider is included.
- Assessment and feedbackFeedback helps improvement
100.0% positive—17.6 percentage points above the 82.4% all-provider peer average.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
89.5% positive—16.3 percentage points above the 73.2% all-provider peer average.
Leeds Trinity University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 100.0%, which is 27.1 points above the 72.9% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 39 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
University of Chester
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 86.7%, which is 13.4 points above the 73.3% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 7 when all 39 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
Cardiff University
Where it stands out: Students' union represents academic interests is 92.7%, which is 17.0 points above the 75.8% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 8 when all 39 providers are included. It has climbed 9 places from 13 in the previous table.
Bangor University
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 97.0%, which is 14.5 points above the 82.5% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 10 when all 39 providers are included. It has climbed 1 place from 6 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 Theology and religious studies
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 | — | Roehampton University2025–2026 average | 94.23% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | —Not ranked | New | Leeds Trinity University2026 only | 92.53% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | —Not ranked | New | University of Chester2026 only | 91.65% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 132024–2025 average | ↑ 9 | Cardiff University2025–2026 average | 91.34% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 62024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | Bangor University2025–2026 average | 90.94% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 52025 only | ↓ 1 | Birmingham Newman University2025–2026 average | 90.88% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 202024–2025 average | ↑ 13 | University of Bristol2025–2026 average | 90.76% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 6 | University of Aberdeen2025–2026 average | 90.71% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 152024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | The University of Birmingham2025–2026 average | 88.85% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 162024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | University of Oxford2025–2026 average | 88.56% | 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 Theology and religious studies 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 Theology and religious studies ranking
What leads the Theology and religious studies ranking in 2026?
Roehampton University is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 94.23%. 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 Theology and religious studies ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.