Coventry University takes Times Higher Ed University of the Year
Coventry University has been crowned the Times Higher Education University of the Year, with judges praising the institution for “being willing to take calculated risks to help its students succeed, citing the establishment of its lower-cost offshoot Coventry University College as a notable example.” The judges believe that the new colleges will help deliver access to higher education to those who may have otherwise missed out. Other winners included the University of East Anglia, which won Research Project of the Year, the University of Leeds, which picked up Entrepreneurial University of the Year, and King’s College London, which won International Collaboration of the Year.

Coventry University has picked up the title of University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2015.

Judges praised the West Midlands institution for being willing to take calculated risks to help its students succeed, citing the establishment of its lower-cost offshoot Coventry University College as a notable example. They said the college opened new avenues for individuals who might otherwise have been excluded from accessing higher education.

THE editor John Gill said: “The judges were impressed with Coventry’s achievements across a range of activities and, in particular, by its novel approach to improving access.

“We’re always looking for pioneers who make bold attempts to tackle the issues facing higher education locally, regionally and nationally, and Coventry is to be congratulated for doing it so successfully.”

Other winners announced at the ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London included the University of East Anglia, which won Research Project of the Year, the University of Leeds, which picked up Entrepreneurial University of the Year, and King’s College London, which won International Collaboration of the Year.

Laurie Taylor, the broadcaster and writer behind THE's famous Poppletonian column, and former professor of sociology at the University of York, won the Lord Dearing Lifetime Achievement Award, while Momodou Sallah, senior lecturer in youth, community and education at De Montfort University, claimed the title of Most Innovative Teacher of the Year.

The ceremony was attended by more than 1,000 people and hosted by comedian Rory Bremner.

ellie.bothwell@tesglobal.com

Times Higher Education Awards 2015 winners

University of the Year

Coventry University

Most Innovative Teacher of the Year

Momodou Sallah, De Montfort University

Entrepreneurial University of the Year

University of Leeds

International Collaboration of the Year

King’s College London

Most Improved Student Experience

Southampton Solent University

Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative

University of Portsmouth

Outstanding Contribution to Leadership Development

University of Huddersfield

Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year

Keele University

Business School of the Year

Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University

Outstanding Digital Innovation in Teaching or Research

Bournemouth University

Outstanding International Student Strategy

University of the West of England

Outstanding Support for Students

Newcastle University

Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology

Cardiff University

Research Project of the Year

University of East Anglia

Outstanding Support for Early Career Researchers

University of Nottingham

Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community

Royal Holloway, University of London

Excellence and Innovation in the Arts

Royal Northern College of Music

The Lord Dearing Lifetime Achievement Award

Laurie Taylor