Nottingham Trent University has been voted top UK university in the International category at the 2022 Whatuni Student Choice Awards.
Announced at a glamorous event in London on May 24, the institution beat off competition from nine other UK finalists. It is the second time Nottingham Trent has been recognised in the category, first winning it in 2016.
More than 30,000 student reviews were collected from institutions across the country to decide the winners of 12 categories.
University College Birmingham won both the coveted University of the Year award and the Student Support award.
“The thousands of WUSCA student reviews we’ve received from students across the UK reflect the remarkable commitment, passion and care institutions have demonstrated towards their students over the last 12 months,” Simon Emmett, CEO at IDP Connect, said in statement.
“The higher education sector creates exceptional student experiences and the WUSCAs is about celebrating that but also ensuring students have the insight they need to make the very best decisions about their future.”
The international category recognises universities that welcome and support international students, both on arrival and throughout their course, and can positively integrate international students with their domestic counterparts.
Institutions with special programs and activities on- and off-campus for overseas students to “help them make friends and settle in” are recognised among the finalists, as are institutions hosting a wide variety of nationalities on campus.
Reviews from international students at Nottingham Trent praised the practical, hands on experience featured in their courses, opportunities to explore different cultures in the Global Lounge and at Trent’s Global Week, and the guidance “every step of the way”, including around accommodation, bank accounts and other aspects of student life in a new country.
“The best part is the amount of diverse people which gives me access to learn about different cultures,” one student added.
Second and third place in 2022 went to Bangor and the University of Greenwich, respectively, while Sheffield and De Montford rounded off the top five.
Other winners of the illustrious award include Aberystwyth University in 2020, Swansea in 2019, Glasgow in 2018 and 2017, and Exeter in 2015.
“Our terrific submission award judging panel this year was once again made up of students gathered from across the country. Who better to judge universities than students themselves?” Angela Rapley, head of Brand and Content at IDP, added.
“Each of our winners and finalists have gone above and beyond”
“After a challenging couple of years, it’s important to recognise the universities who are going above and beyond to support students and give them the best university experiences possible. The institutions recognised have successfully adapted, created and implemented fantastic initiatives to support and engage students, which our awards are thrilled to celebrate.”
Four of the awards included a £10,000 bursary to support five students each in the upcoming year: University of the Year; Postgraduate; Small or Specialist; and Outreach and Widening Participation.
“Each of our winners and finalists have gone above and beyond to have a positive impact on student’s university experiences and shows the quality of higher education in the UK and its creativity, resilience and innovation,” Emmett added.
The full list of winners are for the 2022 awards are:
University of the Year: University College Birmingham
Postgraduate: University of Greenwich, London
Small or Specialist: Plymouth College of Art
Outreach and Widening Participation: Middlesex University London
Student’s Union: University of Sheffield
Student Support: University College Birmingham
Student Life: Nottingham Trent University
Career Prospects: Harper Adams University
Halls and Student Accommodation: Aberystwyth University
Facilities: Loughborough University
Lecturers and Teaching Quality: Hartpury University
International: Nottingham Trent University
See a gallery from the event here.
