Rose Bruford College has been ranked second in London for Lecturers and Teaching Quality and in the top 10 in London for University of the Year at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2026, announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday evening.
Rose Bruford is the only specialist higher education institution and the only dedicated performing arts conservatoire to achieve this result across both categories. The result was determined by tens of thousands of voluntary reviews submitted by current students across the country.
Within London, the College ranked second for Lecturers and Teaching Quality, behind SOAS University of London. Nationally, the College ranked fifth overall for Lecturers and Teaching Quality, remaining the only specialist higher education institution and the only dedicated performing arts conservatoire in this category.
In addition, within the University of the Year category, Rose Bruford achieved a place in the top 10 in London, further underlining its strong student experience outcomes within a competitive national field.
Professor Randall Whittaker, Principal and CEO of Rose Bruford College said:
“We are absolutely delighted to have been ranked second in London as the only conservatoire and specialist performing arts institution in this category. We are also proud to have secured a place in the top 10 in London for University of the Year, again as the only conservatoire included. These results are a powerful recognition of the exceptional quality of teaching at Rose Bruford and the dedication of our staff to delivering an outstanding student experience.
With London recently named the world’s best city for culture, this recognition is particularly meaningful. It underlines our position at the forefront of professional arts training in one of the most dynamic and exciting creative environments in the world. Thank you to every student who took the time to share their views and help make this achievement possible.”
The Whatuni Student Choice Awards are the UK’s largest student-led university awards, distinct from league tables or institutional self-assessments. They draw on tens of thousands of voluntary reviews submitted by current students, making them one of the most direct and authentic measures of student experience in UK higher education.
Professor Stephen Farrier, Deputy Principal of Rose Bruford College said:
“Being placed second in London and fifth nationally for Lecturers and Teaching Quality, as the only specialist performing arts institution on the shortlist, is something the whole College can be proud of. Our teaching is built on close collaboration and on the direct professional experience our staff bring from working in the industry. That students place us at the very top of the national field reflects exactly what this College is about.”
Rose Bruford College is a specialist performing arts conservatoire based in Lamorbey Park, Sidcup, in south-east London. The College offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in performance, design and production, directing, and creative industries, and has been recognised in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards Lecturers and Teaching Quality category for three consecutive years.
The Whatuni Student Choice Awards draw on tens of thousands of voluntary reviews submitted by current students across the country, and are distinct from annual surveys such as the National Student Survey. The 2026 awards recognise institutions across 12 categories.