Wrexham Glyndwr lecturers recognised at UK’s biggest student-voted awards

The quality of teaching and lecturers at Wrexham Glyndwr University (WGU) has been recognised at the UK’s biggest student-voted awards – after being ranked second overall, out of 80 participating universities. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Staff and student representatives attended the annual Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCA) ceremony this month, after being nominated in five categories: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

• Lecturers and Teaching Quality
• Career Prospects
• Student Support
• Postgraduate
• International

The Wrexham-based institution scored highly in all areas it was shortlisted in – as well as being ranked second for lecturers and teaching quality, WGU was the top-scoring university in Wales in for student support and by postgraduate students. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In these two areas, WGU also finished in the top 5 of the whole of the UK sector ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

WGU was also ranked joint fourth by international students and in eighth place for career prospects. Overall, the university was placed 20th out of more than 80 institutions in University of the Year. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

WUSCA are the only Higher Education Awards in the UK where institutions are solely judged and reviewed by students themselves across a variety of categories. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

They are a celebration of the student voice and the hard work of Higher Education providers across the UK to deliver exceptional student experience. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Professor Maria Hinfelaar, Vice-Chancellor of WGU, said: “We have so many reasons to feel proud today – we scored highly in all areas we were shortlisted for, and in particular, scoring in second place for our lecturers and teaching quality, which further reinforces our strong reputation for teaching at the university. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We were also delighted to named the top-scoring university in Wales in two areas – for student support – and by our postgraduate students. Also, pleasing to be fourth place for international and eighth for career prospects across the whole of the UK. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“This recognition is especially wonderful as it’s come directly from our students. WGU colleagues work incredibly hard to ensure our students are provided with the best possible opportunities to succeed in their learning. A huge well done to everyone for what they do day-in, day-out.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Simon Emmett, CEO at IDP Connect, said: “The Whatuni awards celebrate creativity, resilience and innovation within higher education. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Congratulations go to the winners, alongside a huge ‘well done’ to all our shortlisted institutions and the sector as a whole. This year’s scores are significantly higher than previous years, highlighting the excellent work done across the sector. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“I hope the awards highlight the quality of education and students’ experiences across our wide and varied sector. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Each of our winners and finalists has gone above and beyond to positively impact students’ university experiences. These awards showcase the quality of higher education in the UK and its creativity, resilience and innovation.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​