The best universities for Anatomy, physiology and pathology
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 Derby, followed by University of Aberdeen and The University of Essex make up the leading three for Anatomy, physiology and pathology 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 26 current providers, the analysis below compares the leading five with the whole provider field.
Why University of Derby leads—and where the next four stand out
This comparison uses all 26 current providers, not only universities. It identifies the NSS questions where each leading university is furthest above the subject peer average.
University of Derby
It has climbed 1 place from 2 in the previous table. It is position 1 when every current provider is included.
- Student voiceStudent feedback is acted on
89.7% positive—21.6 percentage points above the 68.1% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
94.6% positive—17.6 percentage points above the 77.0% all-provider peer average.
University of Aberdeen
Where it stands out: Student opinions are valued is 98.5%, which is 19.7 points above the 78.7% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 26 providers are included. It has climbed 4 places from 6 in the previous table.
The University of Essex
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 87.0%, which is 17.2 points above the 69.8% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 26 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 table.
City St George's, University of London
Where it stands out: Feedback helps improvement is 95.8%, which is 26.4 points above the 69.5% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 26 providers are included. It has climbed 4 places from 8 in the previous table.
Queen's University of Belfast
Where it stands out: Teaching staff are easy to contact is 100.0%, which is 11.9 points above the 88.1% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 26 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 4 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 Anatomy, physiology and pathology
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 | 22025 only | ↑ 1 | University of Derby2025–2026 average | 92.46% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 62024–2025 average | ↑ 4 | University of Aberdeen2025–2026 average | 89.35% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | 32024–2025 average | — | The University of Essex2025–2026 average | 88.71% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 82025 only | ↑ 4 | City St George's, University of London2025–2026 average | 88.62% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 42024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | Queen's University of Belfast2025–2026 average | 87.65% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | 92024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | University of Portsmouth2025–2026 average | 86.77% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 102024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | The University of Leicester2025–2026 average | 86.15% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 222024–2025 average | ↑ 14 | The University of Liverpool2025–2026 average | 86.01% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 132024–2025 average | ↑ 4 | University of Exeter2025–2026 average | 85.84% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 162024–2025 average | ↑ 6 | Middlesex University2025–2026 average | 85.65% | 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 Anatomy, physiology and pathology 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 Anatomy, physiology and pathology ranking
What leads the Anatomy, physiology and pathology ranking in 2026?
University of Derby is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 92.46%. 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 Anatomy, physiology and pathology ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.