University of Surrey Named ‘University of the Year’ in Times Guide

Published on: 22 Sep, 2015
Updated on: 23 Sep, 2015

University of Surrey – Stag Sculpture

The University of Surrey has scooped two University of the Year awards in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016 and has risen to eighth place in the overall university rankings.

Outstanding performance in this year’s National Student Survey  combined with excellent graduate prospects, high entry standards and an increase in applications and enrolments have helped secure the prestigious accolade of University of the Year, both overall and for student experience.

But one local campaigner has sounded a note of caution over the university’s accommodation policy and proposals to further university expansion and says that: “…there are clearly undercurrents of discontent amongst students, staff and the wider community…”.

Rising three places since last year to eighth place, this tear is the first time the University of Surrey has achieved a coveted top ten ranking in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. This follows Surrey being named fourth in the Guardian University League Tables 2016 and eighth in the Complete University Guide 2016 earlier this year.

Soon to be leaving president and vice-chancellor, Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Surrey has been named overall “University of the Year” and “University of the Year for Student Experience” recognising the dedication of our staff and our commitment to students.

“This reflects our focus on quality in teaching and research coupled with real commitment to delivering high quality outcomes and very high levels of student satisfaction.

University of Surrey’s new vet school – one of only eight in the UK and Ireland

“Our recent investment in a new School of Veterinary Medicine, one of only eight in the UK and Ireland, the world-leading £70m 5G Innovation Centre for future communications research and our internationally renowned Sports Park represent just some of the recent major developments at Surrey which have helped the University achieve top ten rankings in all major UK league tables.”

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2016 praised the University of Surrey for being one of “the most innovative universities in the UK: reducing its dependence on state funding, investing £400m to develop the campus in Guildford, and launching a joint venture in China”, as well as “a new £45m veterinary school”. It also commended its low drop out rate and commitment to undergraduates from poor socio-economic groups.

Professor Sir Christopher Snowden

Under Professor Snowden’s leadership the university has risen steadily up the rankings. In a move that surprised some he announced earlier this year that he would be leaving to become the Vice Chancellor of Southampton University, a job with a significantly lower salary. His appointment commences there on October 1st.

Top for Student Experience

The University of Surrey was one of just two universities in the UK to break the 90% mark for student experience in this year’s Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide analysis of the latest National Student Survey. This has underpinned Surrey’s second University of the Year accolade: University of the Year for Student Experience.

More contented students for the University of Surrey?

Mustie Smith, president of the University of Surrey Students’ Union, said: “It is amazing that our university has been awarded University of the Year for Student Experience, as it is a great reflection of the relationship we, as a union, have with the university.

“Student needs are changing every year, and we constantly meet with senior members of staff to feed back on how the student experience can be improved.

“I believe the university absolutely deserves this award. When we talk to them on behalf of the entire student body, they genuinely listen and really work hard to deliver. The fact that senior members of staff within the university, and members of University Council really care about the experience students have at Surrey is, in my opinion, what has driven and will continue to drive the university’s success.”

Anne Milton MP

Anne Milton MP joined in the congratulations today (September 22) pointing out the key factors recognised by the judges in their decision. In particular, the score of 92% for overall student satisfaction and that 96.9% of graduates were in work or further study within six months of graduating in 2014.

Anne said: “This is an outstanding achievement and the praise should be shared by everyone who has worked at the University of Surrey over the years to make it the centre of excellence it has now become.

“I have spent a great deal of time on the campus since becoming the local MP in 2005 and I know that the university has always had at its heart the future careers and wellbeing of the students that study there. The national recognition of the success of the University of Surrey brings pride to us all across Guildford. My thanks go to everyone who has contributed to this well-deserved success.”

Karen Stevens, Save Hogs Back campaigner.

But Karen Stevens of the Save Hogs Back campaign was less unqualified in her praise. She said: “It is good news that the University of Surrey has been awarded these two accolades.  I hope that it will continue to build on the good relationship it apparently has with its students by delivering enough accommodation so that students don’t face the stress of being unable to find somewhere to live in the town – a growing problem that was reported in the media last week.

“It is very sad to read that students are deferring entry to University of Surrey courses because the university cannot house them, especially as the provision of student housing was one of the key reasons put forward by the university for taking Manor Park out of green belt 11 years ago.

“In a “green belt town” with a large swathes of land designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a shortage of land for housing, we should expect our university to build enough housing for all the students coming into the town. We should also expect students to understand the pressures faced by Guildford and welcome the idea of a guaranteed place on campus for the duration of their period of study.

“Whilst on the surface everything appears rosy, and this is a good PR story for the university, coverage in the press over the last year demonstrates that there are clearly undercurrents of discontent amongst some students, staff and the wider community. The behaviour of some factions within the university itself and experience shows that what you see isn’t necessarily what you always get.”

Surrey was awarded the 2006 THES (Times Higher Education Supplement) Prize for outstanding contribution to innovation and technology sponsored by Toshiba. It has invested nearly £36 million in a new world-class sports park on its Guildford campus which opened in April 2010 and is a venue regularly used by international sports teams during UK based tournaments, such as the current rugby world cup.

The university sold its satellite technology business SSTL (Surrey Satellite Technology Limited) in 2009 for close to £50 million cash whilst retaining continuing relationship with the university’s Space Research Centre, a record for a cash spin-out from a UK university. In November 2011, the university was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for higher and further education.

The university secured £35 million in 2013 from the UK government and a consortium of industry partners for a new research hub to take global leadership in 5G mobile telecommunications.

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