The best universities for Tourism, transport and travel
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 Wolverhampton, followed by University of Sunderland and University of Lancashire make up the leading three for Tourism, transport and travel 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 77 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Wolverhampton leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 77 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Wolverhampton
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 8 when every current provider is included.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
94.2% positive—16.2 percentage points above the 78.0% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
98.5% positive—12.9 percentage points above the 85.5% all-provider peer average.
University of Sunderland
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 93.2%, which is 15.2 points above the 78.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 11 when all 77 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
University of Lancashire
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 91.7%, which is 13.6 points above the 78.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 12 when all 77 providers are included. It has climbed 2 places from 5 in the previous table.
The University of West London
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 91.4%, which is 13.4 points above the 78.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 13 when all 77 providers are included. It has climbed 3 places from 7 in the previous table.
The University of Essex
Where it stands out: Skills for the future is 98.1%, which is 9.7 points above the 88.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 15 when all 77 providers are included. It has climbed 8 places from 13 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 Tourism, transport and travel
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 | — | University of Wolverhampton2025–2026 average | 95.60% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 22024–2025 average | — | University of Sunderland2025–2026 average | 93.95% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 52024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | University of Lancashire2025–2026 average | 93.65% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 72024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | The University of West London2025–2026 average | 93.44% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 132024–2025 average | ↑ 8 | The University of Essex2025–2026 average | 92.77% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 102024–2025 average | ↑ 4 | University of Wales: Trinity Saint David2025–2026 average | 92.59% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 42024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | University of East London2025–2026 average | 92.51% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 212024–2025 average | ↑ 13 | Coventry University2025–2026 average | 92.10% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 82024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | Robert Gordon University2025–2026 average | 91.35% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 262024–2025 average | ↑ 16 | Roehampton University2025–2026 average | 90.99% | 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 Tourism, transport and travel 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 Tourism, transport and travel ranking
What leads the Tourism, transport and travel ranking in 2026?
University of Wolverhampton is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 95.60%. 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 Tourism, transport and travel ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.