Hartpury University enjoyed an outstanding night at the national WhatUni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), climbing 14 places since 2020 to win the Lecturers and Teaching Quality category, fending off competition from 94 other institutions.
In total, the specialist education institution was awarded:
- 1st in the UK for Lecturers and Teaching Quality
- 3rd in the UK for Facilities
- 3rd in the UK for Career Prospects
- 4th in the UK for Student Support
- Top Ten in the UK University of the Year category
Hartpury was rated as the top university in the South West for Facilities, and third-best in the UK. Hartpury was also voted in the top three in the South West for Career Prospects and Student Support.
Notably, Hartpury also came 9th of 95 institutions in the hugely prestigious UK University of the Year category and finished second highest in the South West, despite only becoming a university in 2018.
In a special ceremony hosted by comedian Richard Ayoade on Tuesday 24 May 2022 in East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, London, the WUSCAs awarded higher education institutions in recognition of their efforts to meet and exceed student expectations throughout the past year.
One of more than 1200 student reviewers told WhatUni: "Lessons are delivered in person, which after COVID has been so beneficial, I feel like I'm actually learning. We have good access to our lecturers – I feel tutor sessions really help this relationship."
Another said: “I returned to education as an adult and Hartpury was the university I wanted to go to. I have received excellent, personal help for all my additional needs, and as someone who is an international, mature student.”
The university’s ranking in the Student Support category is a result of extensive work in this area to support students in areas including wellbeing, achievement and success, learning support and careers.
One student said: “There’s an amazing student support system that is very important and it makes the students feel important and in a safe place away from home.”
The advantages of ready access to lecturers was a common theme through many of the reviews, with another saying: “It’s easy to contact any members of staff that are needed. There are onsite placements that we can do and even volunteer at. There are enough hours to do things, and even when lessons are online it’s very easy to engage and stay focused.”
Russell Marchant, Vice-Chancellor of Hartpury University, said: "We couldn’t be more delighted to win the Lecturers and Teaching Quality category at this year’s WhatUni Student Choice Awards. This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the work of an entire team who’ve gone above and beyond to ensure students are supported and equipped in their learning and beyond. I’d like to thank and congratulate each and every individual who has played their part in this award.
“Ultimately, supporting students to be ready for the world of work is our priority so to finish in 3rd in the UK in the Career Prospects category is extremely pleasing. This supports our excellent graduate employability figures in last year’s Graduate Outcomes Survey released by HESA.
“We've invested over £50 million in our campus facilities over the last decade and are continuing with further major investments. It's hugely encouraging to see the work we're doing is reflected by ranking 3rd in the UK and top in the South West in the Facilities category.”
Hartpury University was ranked number one for satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2021 and making an impressive league table debut in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021, featuring in the top 20% for “teaching quality”. More recently, research submitted as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 process was recognised as ‘world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’.
Explore Hartpury’s full range of university courses here.
