Student Favourite
Universities in this ranking score 4 percentage points or more above benchmark for teaching and learning outcomes in the National Student Survey (NSS). A student favourite badge shows satisfaction across teaching, facilities, support services, and campus life, indicating you’re likely to have a positive university experience.
QUICK GUIDE:
Sort the table below by badges to find universities that excel in those areas. Each in the table represents a university strength. Hover or click over any badge to see what it means.
FILTER BY BADGE:
FILTER BY REGION:
University | Badges | |
|---|---|---|
University of St Andrews | Outstanding Teaching
Criteria: Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
High Quality Teaching
Criteria: Gold or Silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Satisfied Students
Criteria: Positive performance above benchmark in National Student Survey (NSS) categories T1 and T2
Research Power
Criteria: Produced 4-star research recognized in REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
Global Leader
Criteria: Ranked in ARTU (Aggregate Ranking Of Top Universities) top 400
International Mix
Criteria: 25% or higher international student population
Student Favourite
Criteria: 4 percentage points or more above benchmark in NSS categories T1 or T2
Prestigious
Criteria: Ancient universities, Russell Group members, or Specialist Prestigious Institutions
| 8 |
University of Cambridge | Outstanding Teaching
Criteria: Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
High Quality Teaching
Criteria: Gold or Silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Satisfied Students
Criteria: Positive performance above benchmark in National Student Survey (NSS) categories T1 and T2
Research Power
Criteria: Produced 4-star research recognized in REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
Global Leader
Criteria: Ranked in ARTU (Aggregate Ranking Of Top Universities) top 400
International Mix
Criteria: 25% or higher international student population
Student Favourite
Criteria: 4 percentage points or more above benchmark in NSS categories T1 or T2
Prestigious
Criteria: Ancient universities, Russell Group members, or Specialist Prestigious Institutions
| 8 |
Guildhall School of Music & Drama | Outstanding Teaching
Criteria: Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
High Quality Teaching
Criteria: Gold or Silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Satisfied Students
Criteria: Positive performance above benchmark in National Student Survey (NSS) categories T1 and T2
Research Power
Criteria: Produced 4-star research recognized in REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
International Mix
Criteria: 25% or higher international student population
Specialist Institution
Criteria: Focused expert teaching in a specific field
Student Favourite
Criteria: 4 percentage points or more above benchmark in NSS categories T1 or T2
Prestigious
Criteria: Ancient universities, Russell Group members, or Specialist Prestigious Institutions
| 8 |
UWE Bristol | Outstanding Teaching
Criteria: Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
High Quality Teaching
Criteria: Gold or Silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Satisfied Students
Criteria: Positive performance above benchmark in National Student Survey (NSS) categories T1 and T2
Research Power
Criteria: Produced 4-star research recognized in REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
Specialist Institution
Criteria: Focused expert teaching in a specific field
Student Favourite
Criteria: 4 percentage points or more above benchmark in NSS categories T1 or T2
| 6 |
Northern School of Contemporary Dance | Outstanding Teaching
Criteria: Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
High Quality Teaching
Criteria: Gold or Silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Satisfied Students
Criteria: Positive performance above benchmark in National Student Survey (NSS) categories T1 and T2
International Mix
Criteria: 25% or higher international student population
Specialist Institution
Criteria: Focused expert teaching in a specific field
Student Favourite
Criteria: 4 percentage points or more above benchmark in NSS categories T1 or T2
| 6 |
Rose Bruford College | High Quality Teaching
Criteria: Gold or Silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Satisfied Students
Criteria: Positive performance above benchmark in National Student Survey (NSS) categories T1 and T2
Research Power
Criteria: Produced 4-star research recognized in REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
Specialist Institution
Criteria: Focused expert teaching in a specific field
Student Favourite
Criteria: 4 percentage points or more above benchmark in NSS categories T1 or T2
| 5 |
Liverpool Hope University | High Quality Teaching
Criteria: Gold or Silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Satisfied Students
Criteria: Positive performance above benchmark in National Student Survey (NSS) categories T1 and T2
Research Power
Criteria: Produced 4-star research recognized in REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
Student Favourite
Criteria: 4 percentage points or more above benchmark in NSS categories T1 or T2
| 4 |
Bishop Grosseteste University | High Quality Teaching
Criteria: Gold or Silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Satisfied Students
Criteria: Positive performance above benchmark in National Student Survey (NSS) categories T1 and T2
Research Power
Criteria: Produced 4-star research recognized in REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
Student Favourite
Criteria: 4 percentage points or more above benchmark in NSS categories T1 or T2
| 4 |
Arts University Plymouth | High Quality Teaching
Criteria: Gold or Silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Satisfied Students
Criteria: Positive performance above benchmark in National Student Survey (NSS) categories T1 and T2
Specialist Institution
Criteria: Focused expert teaching in a specific field
Student Favourite
Criteria: 4 percentage points or more above benchmark in NSS categories T1 or T2
| 4 |
Aberystwyth University | Satisfied Students
Criteria: Positive performance above benchmark in National Student Survey (NSS) categories T1 and T2
Research Power
Criteria: Produced 4-star research recognized in REF 2021 (Research Excellence Framework)
Student Favourite
Criteria: 4 percentage points or more above benchmark in NSS categories T1 or T2
| 3 |
How Badges are Awarded:
How to use our website:
Data Source:
Last Updated: January 2025 | Our Data Sources: TEF, NSS, REF 2021
Similar Rankings
Best Universities
The UK’s best universities ranked by badges earned. Each badge represents proven excellence in a specific area – teaching quality,
Russell Group Universities
The UK’s 24 Russell Group universities ranked by badges earned. Russell Group membership signals research excellence and academic prestige. These
Universities Awarded TEF Gold
Universities achieving Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the UK government’s official assessment of teaching quality. TEF Gold is
Universities Awarded TEF Silver
Universities achieving Silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the UK government’s official assessment of teaching quality. TEF Silver recognises
Universities Awarded TEF Bronze
Universities awarded Bronze in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the UK government’s official assessment of teaching quality. TEF Bronze recognises
The Best Universities in London
London’s 37 universities represent the most diverse and prestigious concentration of higher education in the UK. From world-leading institutions like