The best universities for Anthropology
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 St Andrews, followed by Oxford Brookes University and Brunel University London make up the leading three for Anthropology 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 University of St Andrews 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.
University of St Andrews
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
74.7% positive—17.1 percentage points above the 57.6% all-provider peer average.
- Organisation and managementCourse is well organised
92.4% positive—16.3 percentage points above the 76.1% all-provider peer average.
Oxford Brookes University
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 83.2%, which is 26.0 points above the 57.2% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 2 when all 24 providers are included. It has fallen 1 place from 1 in the previous table.
Brunel University London
Where it stands out: Student feedback is acted on is 93.3%, which is 36.5 points above the 56.8% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 3 when all 24 providers are included. It is new to the current table because it has eligible 2026 data but no comparable prior position.
The London School of Economics and Political Science
Where it stands out: Students' union represents academic interests is 83.0%, which is 13.1 points above the 70.0% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 4 when all 24 providers are included. It has climbed 10 places from 14 in the previous table.
University of Durham
Where it stands out: Changes are communicated well is 88.0%, which is 13.7 points above the 74.4% average across the rest of the provider field.
It is position 5 when all 24 providers are included. It holds the same position as in the previous 2024+2025 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 Anthropology
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 | 22024–2025 average | ↑ 1 | University of St Andrews2025–2026 average | 90.98% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 2 | 12024–2025 average | ↓ 1 | Oxford Brookes University2025–2026 average | 89.14% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 3 | —Not ranked | New | Brunel University London2026 only | 88.36% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 4 | 142024–2025 average | ↑ 10 | The London School of Economics and Political Science2025–2026 average | 87.05% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 5 | 52024–2025 average | — | University of Durham2025–2026 average | 87.01% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 6 | —Not ranked | New | University of Winchester2026 only | 86.71% | 2026 only | 26 / 26 | |
| 7 | 92024–2025 average | ↑ 2 | The University of Manchester2025–2026 average | 86.11% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 8 | 42024–2025 average | ↓ 4 | Liverpool John Moores University2025–2026 average | 86.08% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 9 | 122024–2025 average | ↑ 3 | University College London2025–2026 average | 84.28% | 2025–2026 average | 26 / 26 | |
| 10 | 72024–2025 average | ↓ 3 | The University of Birmingham2025–2026 average | 84.28% | 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 Anthropology 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 Anthropology ranking
What leads the Anthropology ranking in 2026?
University of St Andrews is first among universities, with an NSS-based score of 90.98%. 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 Anthropology ranking contains every eligible university or, when the provider switch is enabled, every eligible NSS provider.