Aberystwyth University voted best in class at national student choice awards

Aberystwyth University has been voted best in the UK at this year’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCA) in the Halls and Student Accomodation category amid stiff competition. BAFTA-winning actor, Richard Ayoade, hosted this year’s ceremony at a star-studded event in Canary Wharf.

The UK’s leading student-voted university awards – taking place for the ninth year – recognises the UK’s best universities. This year there was a special focus on the way the sector adapted to the challenges presented by the pandemic to provide an excellent student experience.  

Aberystwyth University particularly impressed the judges for its first-rate student halls, triumphing in the Halls and Student Accommodation category. Aberystwyth University was selected winner by a specially chosen panel made up of prospective and current university students. Elsewhere in the night, Aberystwyth was also recognized for its fantastic teaching standards and student living as it was nominated in the Lecturers and Teaching Quality and Student Life categories. 

£40,000 in student bursaries were up for grabs on the night, giving opportunities to students from underrepresented groups in Higher Education to develop their skills and improve their career prospects during their studies.

Simon Emmett, CEO at IDP Connect, said: 

“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. 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.

“As universities continue to battle the challenges posed by Covid, these awards will be a huge boost to universities and colleges who are leading the way in student satisfaction. These invaluable results will help students make the best choice about their next steps into higher education.

“Each of our winners and finalists have gone above and beyond to have a positive impact on student’s university experiences and show the quality of higher education in the UK and its creativity, resilience and innovation. Aberystwyth University has shown this in leaps and bounds, securing them the esteemed top position in the Halls and Student Accommodation category at this years’ WUSCAs.

“Congratulations to Aberystwyth University and well done to our shortlisted institutions and runners up.”

Angela Rapley, Head of Brand and Content, IDP, added: 

“It was fantastic to have Richard Ayoade host this year’s awards ceremony, in our first in-person Whatuni Student Choice Awards since 2019. 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?

“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.”