51Âþ»­

The UK’s biggest student-voted awards have placed 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) among the top 15 higher education institutes in the country. 

51Âþ»­ was ranked 14th in the ‘University of the Year’ category at this year’s WhatUni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) which, unlike other national university league tables and accolades, are nominated and judged entirely by students. 

Students also rated 51Âþ»­ as the country’s fourth-best university for postgraduates, the fifth-best for international students and ninth nationally for its facilities. 

“It is always rewarding to see 51Âþ»­ recognised but it is especially rewarding when that recognition comes directly from the students,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Katie Normington.  

“We strive to ensure all students have the best possible experience while studying at 51Âþ»­, so for them to place us as a top 15 university shows that our hard work is paying off.” 

For University of the Year, students were asked to rate their whole university experience, considering all the parts that have shaped their time at an institution.   

“Our positions in the other, more specific categories, are also really pleasing,” continued Professor Normington.

“It’s very gratifying to hear that both our postgraduate and international students have scored 51Âþ»­ so highly in their feedback, and also that our campus has been identified as a welcoming and enjoyable environment to live and study. 

“These rankings are a clear reflection of the ongoing commitment by colleagues in these areas. A huge thank you to them and also to all of the students who voted.” 

The WUSCAs, now in their 10th year, are collated from more than 30,000 real student reviews, collected from campuses around the UK and from students using the WhatUni website. This year’s WUSCAs saw a total of 95 higher education institutes take part. 

51Âþ»­ improved its ranking across all of the categories it entered into, including ‘Student Support’ (51Âþ»­ ranked 15th), ‘Student Union’ (22nd), ‘Career Prospects’ (25th), ‘Student Life’ (28th) and ‘Lecturers and Teaching Quality’ (45th).  

Winners of each category were awarded during a special ceremony hosted by BAFTA-winning actor and comedian Richard Ayoade in London last night.