image: Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023 - Anglia Ruskin University staff with Sandi Toksvig, who presented the award.
Credit: Times Higher Education
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has been named the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023, the biggest prize in UK Higher Education.
The Times Higher Education Awards are known as the Oscars of the UK university sector, and ARU received the prestigious award during a ceremony in Liverpool. Other universities shortlisted for the main prize included the University of Exeter, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, and the University of York.
Last night’s success is the latest high-profile award for ARU, after being named University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards in October and receiving a Gold award – the highest possible rating – for the quality of its education in the national Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) announced in September.
Praising the successful launch of ARU Peterborough and ARU’s leadership on public service education, amongst other achievements, Times Higher Education said: “The impact of the best universities on cities and regions is transformational. A university can be a focal point for community, a hub for innovation, and turn aspiration into reality.
“Anglia Ruskin University does all this, not just in one city but across multiple centres spanning the east of England – with the institution extending its reach and impact significantly in 2021-22.”
The judges of the award added: “Its achievements paint a picture of a university that knows what and who it is for, and one that is delivering – including taking calculated risks to support its region to the full.”
Commenting on ARU’s success, Vice Chancellor Professor Roderick Watkins said: “Our mission is to transform lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. Receiving the Times Higher University of the Year award is tremendous recognition from within the Higher Education sector that our work is making a real difference and stands out at a national level.
“My colleagues work tirelessly to deliver first-class education, undertake impactful research, and introduce new initiatives for the benefit of our students and the communities we serve. I’m immensely proud of the difference they’re making to our students’ lives.
“Coming so soon after being named the UK Social Mobility Awards’ University of the Year and receiving a Gold award for the quality of our education in the Teaching Excellence Framework, this Times Higher award completes the perfect hat-trick, and our staff deserve enormous credit for this success.”
The Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023 award honours “exceptional performance during the 2021-22 academic year”, and ARU’s success in delivering a wide range of high-impact initiatives, across each of its campuses, was recognised by the Times Higher Education judges.
Amongst ARU’s significant achievements in 2021-22 was the launch of ARU Peterborough, delivered through a unique partnership between ARU, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and Peterborough City Council. ARU Peterborough is a new university designed from the ground up to meet the needs of local students, employers, and the regional economy.
Also during this period, the UK’s first Samaritans university hub opened on ARU’s Cambridge campus, where trained student and staff volunteers deliver important support to the public, while ARU’s Chelmsford campus hosted the most sustainable British Science Festival ever staged, attracting thousands of visitors.
A university education is an important investment and ARU works hard to help students achieve success in their future careers through tailored careers and employability support. This is reflected in ARU being ranked in the top 15% in the country for graduates in employment and/or further study 15 months after graduating, and third in the country for graduates who are employed as managers, directors or senior officials*.
The courses themselves are innovative and employer-led, teaching the skills and knowledge needed by businesses and organisations in the region. ARU is the largest provider of nursing, midwifery, health, and social care education in the East of England and, as part of its growing degree apprenticeship provision, the largest university provider of initial police education in the country.
In addition to winning the University of the Year 2023 award last night, ARU was also shortlisted in the categories of Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, for the Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE) scheme, and Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community, for ARU Peterborough.
More information about ARU’s University of the Year 2023 success is available here https://www.aru.ac.uk/study/explore-aru/awards-and-recognition/university-of-the-year
* Source: Graduate Outcomes Survey. Country refers to mainstream Higher Education Institutions in England, excluding specialist institutions and those with fewer than 500 students. Contains HESA Data © HESA 2023 (www.hesa.ac.uk).