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The winners of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023 (WUSCAs) were announced last night at a fabulous event hosted by the brilliant comedian Ellie Taylor. Bow ties were tied, universities were celebrated and speeches were made – it was quite a night indeed!
The WUSCAs are a chance for us to shine a spotlight on the excellent work that universities do, but it’s also a chance for the students themselves to raise their voice and shout out what their university has done to support them on their educational journey. It’s the only annual awards for UK unis based entirely on student opinion, with over 35,000 reviews submitted by real students each year.
Now in its 11th year, the WUSCAs are as prestigious as ever (even if we do say so ourselves), with awards in 12 categories spanning the range of student experiences up for grabs. Let’s see who picked up a WUSCAs trophy this year!
University of the Year
1st: Nottingham Trent University
2nd: University College Birmingham
A big round of applause for Nottingham Trent University, which took home the award for University of the Year 2023!
“Nottingham Trent University has been fantastic. My course being Graphic Design surprised me. The facilities the course offers are great. As well as the teaching staff that are extremely talented and know which direction to guide you in. The best aspect of NTU for me is the fact I can do a degree I love and also play a sport I love, such as netball. Not many creative universities offer this experience. So it’s the best of both worlds.” – Student review on Whatuni
Career Prospects
2nd: University College Birmingham
3rd: Bishop Grosseteste University
Harper Adams University once again claimed the trophy in the Career Prospects category, having done so an impressive number of times previously.
"I know for a fact Harper will open doors for me that no other place could allow especially through the placement year. The year out working within the agricultural industry gives the opportunity to learn and gives a comprehensive understanding of the industry. The placement year not only teaches us about agriculture but the interview process that comes with getting a new job. I can say it’s really boosted my confidence and I feel once I’ve graduated I will be ready to go out and into the real world. " – Student review on Whatuni
Lecturers and Teaching Quality
2nd: Wrexham Glyndwr University
Congratulations to Aberystwyth University for winning the trophy in the Lecturers and Teaching Quality category – and to Wales in general, as five out of the ten top unis in this category were from Wales!
"All the staff are incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and motivated into helping you achieve your full potential. They teach and encourage ways of thinking, rather than a step by step method. There is a good number of contact hours, with most modules having at least a couple of hours teaching every week. The facilities are amazing, and the tech team are particularly amazing at helping students to use the facilities to create." – Student review on Whatuni
Students’ Union
2nd: Cardiff University
3rd: University of Strathclyde
Those of you keeping track of the WUSCAs winners every year will be very impressed to note that this is the sixth year in a row that the University of Sheffield has claimed the top spot in the Students’ Union category.
“The student union go out of their way to make uni life better for students as well as continuously finding better opportunities and events to engage with everyone!!!” – Student review on Whatuni
Halls and Student Accommodation
1st: Bishop Grosseteste University
3rd: Bangor University
Students were particularly impressed with the accommodation situation at Bishop Grosseteste University, and it has come out on top in the Halls and Student Accommodation category.
"It was a great location for first years to navigate around the uni. It was comfortable and kept clean and organised with management!" – Student review on Whatuni
Facilities
2nd: University College Birmingham
3rd: Edge Hill University
If you’re looking for a uni with all the bells and whistles, have a look at Loughborough University, which was the winner in the Facilities category.
"The academic facilities are good and there is always access to WIFI, computers and study spaces. A lots of rooms are free for most of the day. There is lots of support for student both academically through your school and through the Student Union and wider Uni. There are loads of clubs, societies and activities on campus all the time and everyone is friendly." – Student review on Whatuni
Student Life
2nd: Nottingham Trent University
3rd: Cardiff University
Not content with taking home only one award, Aberystwyth University managed to pick up a second 2023 WUSCAs trophy, this time in the Student Life category.
"I completed my undergraduate psychology degree in Aberystwyth as well. It truly is the most beautiful place to study. There are constant views of the sea, lots of trees and it's also impossible to get lost. It's often referred to as the "Aberystwyth bubble" - everyone knows each other and it truly is a sense of community. The town itself is full of great local restaurants plus its quite cheap." – Student review on Whatuni
Student Support (sponsored by Prompt Marketing)
1st: Bishop Grosseteste University
2nd: University College Birmingham
3rd: Wrexham Glyndwr University
In the Student Support category, it was Bishop Grosseteste University that won the top prize for 2023. Big congrats!
"I absolutely adore BGU and I am so pleased that I chose to study here. The student support that is available is absolutely incredible and I cannot commend the uni enough for the support that they offer from both the teaching staff and the student advice team. I feel really valued as a student at BGU and seen as a person rather than just another number for their stats. Staff across the whole campus are all friendly and welcoming and it's always nice to have a chat with them." – Student review on Whatuni
Postgraduate (sponsored by Havas Education)
1st: Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University didn’t just win the University of the Year award for 2023 – it also came first in the Postgraduate category too!
"Trent is a great place to study because of the variety of people here, the global, cultural, contextual differences between each student. You have the chance to make so many new friends who come from all walks of life! The tutors are supportive and full of incredible knowledge and ideas which they are very happy to share and discuss with you. Trent allows and encourages you to develop your identity, thoughts and dreams to be the best version of yourself." – Student review on Whatuni
International
1st: University College Birmingham
2nd: Nottingham Trent University
3rd: University of Strathclyde
Winning the top spot in the International category for 2023 was University College Birmingham – great stuff, team!
"Diverse and Inclusive. As an International Student you don't really feel as an outsider and fit right in from day one. The teaching programme, modules and the teachers are excellent and effective." – Student review on Whatuni
Small or Specialist
1st: Norland College
Smaller universities and colleges do brilliant work for students looking to develop specialist skills, and students voted Norland College as top of the Small or Specialist higher education institution category.
"I love studying at Norland College - the mix of practical sessions with the academic lectures, alongside placements are really appealing. I also love the sense of community within Norland and how we all support each other - very supportive staff who can provide guidance and give advice." – Student review on Whatuni
Cost of Living submission award
1st: Buckinghamshire New University
3rd: Swansea University
This year the WUSCAs submission award category looked at how universities have supports students through the cost of living crisis. The panel of student judges chose Buckinghamshire New University as the winner of this important category.
We’d like to give another huge congratulations to all of the WUSCAs winners and nominees for 2023, and a massive thank you to every student who submitted a review and our student judging panel! To check out the full WUSCAs ranking, head on over to our snazzy WUSCAs page.
If this has got you in the mood to kick of your uni research, we don’t blame you – you can start browsing universities right away on Whatuni!
