The best universities for Agriculture
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 Reading, followed by Prifysgol Aberystwyth and Anglia Ruskin University make up the leading three for Agriculture 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 24 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why The University of Reading leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 24 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
The University of Reading
It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table. It is position 9 when every current provider is included.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
94.3% positive—26.9 percentage points above the 67.5% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementChanges are communicated well
89.2% positive—17.6 percentage points above the 71.6% all-provider peer average.
Prifysgol Aberystwyth
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 89.5%, which is 21.8 points above the 67.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 10 when all 24 providers are included. It has climbed 1 place from 3 in the previous table.
Anglia Ruskin University
Where it stands out: Clear marking criteria is 100.0%, which is 22.6 points above the 77.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 11 when all 24 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 83.0%, which is 15.0 points above the 68.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 14 when all 24 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
Harper Adams University
Where it stands out: Course is well organised is 78.8%, which is 10.7 points above the 68.1% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 15 when all 24 providers are included. It has fallen 3 places from 2 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 Agriculture
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 Reading2025–2026 average | 84.30% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 32024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | Prifysgol Aberystwyth2025–2026 average | 82.89% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | —Not ranked | New | Anglia Ruskin University2026 only | 81.68% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 42024–2025 average | — | University of Newcastle upon Tyne2025–2026 average | 80.77% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 22024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | Harper Adams University2025–2026 average | 80.46% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 62024–2025 average | — | University of Chester2025–2026 average | 79.26% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 82024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | The Royal Agricultural University2025–2026 average | 77.74% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 72024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | Queen's University of Belfast2025–2026 average | 74.75% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | —Not ranked | New | Nottingham Trent University2026 only | 72.31% | 2026 only | 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 Agriculture 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 Agriculture ranking
What leads the Agriculture ranking in 2026?
The University of Reading is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 84.30%. 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 Agriculture ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.