The best universities for Aeronautical and aerospace engineering
A student-opinion league table using only what recent undergraduates said in the National Student Survey—not research reputation, entry grades or staff ratios.
The University of Sheffield, followed by Buckinghamshire New University and University of the West of Scotland make up the leading three for Aeronautical and aerospace engineering 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 44 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why The University of Sheffield leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 44 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
The University of Sheffield
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 2 when every current provider is included.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
86.0% positive—19.4 percentage points above the 66.6% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
92.9% positive—19.2 percentage points above the 73.7% all-provider peer average.
Buckinghamshire New University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 93.8%, which is 27.4 points above the 66.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 44 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
University of the West of Scotland
Where it stands out: Teaching is engaging is 97.0%, which is 20.8 points above the 76.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 6 when all 44 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 2 in the previous table.
Nottingham Trent University
Where it stands out: Feedback received on time is 100.0%, which is 26.8 points above the 73.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 7 when all 44 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
University of Southampton
Where it stands out: Feedback received on time is 89.5%, which is 16.1 points above the 73.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 8 when all 44 providers are included. It has climbed 11 places from 16 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 Aeronautical and aerospace engineering
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 | — | The University of Sheffield2025–2026 average | 90.57% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | —Not ranked | New | Buckinghamshire New University2026 only | 89.47% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | University of the West of Scotland2025–2026 average | 87.68% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | —Not ranked | New | Nottingham Trent University2026 only | 87.39% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 162024–2025 average | ↑ 11 | University of Southampton2025–2026 average | 86.13% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 32024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | University of South Wales/Prifysgol De Cymru2025–2026 average | 85.88% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 342024–2025 average | ↑ 27 | University of Wolverhampton2025–2026 average | 85.53% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 52024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | Teesside University2025–2026 average | 85.14% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 102024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine2025–2026 average | 85.10% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 232024–2025 average | ↑ 13 | The University of Birmingham2025–2026 average | 84.70% | 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 Aeronautical and aerospace engineering 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 Aeronautical and aerospace engineering ranking
What leads the Aeronautical and aerospace engineering ranking in 2026?
The University of Sheffield is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 90.57%. 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 Aeronautical and aerospace engineering ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.