From education to employment

Newcastle University wins Guardian’s best student experience award

Jisc sponsored the student experience category of the Guardian University Awards this year.

The student experience category awards an innovative project that has positive impact on the academic or personal experience of students. Newcastle University received the award from Bex Whitehead, our director of group communications, in front of hundreds of university delegates.

Bex Whitehead comments:

Congratulations to Newcastle University who has established a psychological therapy training and research clinic to provide students suffering from anxiety or depression with easy access mental health care.

The university’s entry is an example of making a meaningful and impactful change in supporting student mental health when demand for services is so high and sees them successfully win this year’s award.

Top marks

Champion of the night was Nottingham Trent University. They have been crowned university of the year in the Guardian’s annual awards for their inclusive curriculum and focus on social mobility.

The University of Westminster and York St John University came highly commended in the ‘student experience’ category. 

The University of Westminster was recognised for their Democratic Education Network (DEN). This hub links students with local community groups and international universities by working on projects together.

York St John University was commended for their ‘All About Respect’ project. The student-run campaign promotes zero tolerance of sexual violence, harassment and abuse at university and in the wider community.

Category winners

Advancing staff equality

Winner: University of South Wales
Runners up: University of Essex, University of Strathclyde

Business collaboration

Winner: Heriot-Watt University
Runners up: University of Leicester, Salford University

Course and curriculum design

Winner: Nottingham Trent University
Runners up: Brunel University London, University of Huddersfield

Digital innovation

Winner: London School of Economics
Runners up: Coventry University, Staffordshire University

Employability and entrepreneurship

Winner: Norwich University of the Arts
Runners up: Leeds College of Music, University of Central Lancashire

Internationalisation

Winner: University of Worcester
Runners up: UWE Bristol (International Water Security Network), UWE Bristol (Project Zulu)

Marketing and comms campaigns

Winner: University of London
Runners up: University of Bath, University of Sheffield

Research impact

Winner: University of Manchester
Runners up: Heriot-Watt University, University of Exeter

Retention, support and student outcomes

Winner: UWE Bristol
Runners up: Sheffield Hallam University, University of Glasgow


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