51Âþ» Leicester (51Âþ») has been ranked as among the best universities in the country when it comes to supporting students to improve their career prospects.
51Âþ» was named in the top three for both Graduate Outcomes and Excellence in Digital Innovation in this year’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards, which were announced today (Tuesday June 22).
The awards – the only ones which are voted on and judged by students and prospective students – are given to universities that have provided outstanding support in what has been an extraordinary time during the Covid-19 pandemic.
51Âþ» was shortlisted to the final five in both categories out of more than 100 nominations received for the awards, and received bronze award in both.
The university was praised as it moved quickly to support students and employers needing extra help in lockdown. Of 626 students on internships and year-long placements, just two were unable to carry on due to lockdown.
51Âþ» also introduced online tools such as CV360 and an interview simulator as well as a live chat to ensure students could continue to reach the careers team.
Richard Bowden, Graduate Employment Programmes Manager, said: “We are delighted to have been named among the award winners in this year’s Student Choice Awards.
“Knowing that these awards are judged by students and that they recognise the work we have done to support our students at 51Âþ» is a real vote of confidence.”
The Student Choice Awards aim to recognise the incredible work being carried out by universities over the past year to support students during the Covid-19 pandemic - made extra challenging for 51Âþ» as the city of Leicester remained in lockdown for longer than anywhere else in the country.
Simon Emmett, CEO at education marketing agency IDP Connect, which organises the awards, said: “The past 12 months have been incredibly difficult for universities and their students, and the Whatuni Student Choice Awards are a chance to recognise those institutions who have excelled in supporting their students even in the face of a global pandemic. This year has thrown up some real surprises, with some smaller institutions winning across all categories.
“Each of our winners and finalists have gone above and beyond in support of their students, and the calibre of the nominations we have received show the incredible creativity, resilience and innovation that exists within the higher education sector.”
Course comparison site Whatuni also surveyed students to ask how their course had represented value for money during the pandemic. More than 70 per cent said it had.
The category winners were Leeds Trinity University and Norland College, which won £10,000 each to be split between five students as bursaries.
Posted on Tuesday 22 June 2021