By Abbie Wightwick Education Editor
26th November 2021
A Welsh university has been named University of the Year 2021 by the Times Higher Education.
Cardiff Metropolitan University said it was delighted to be awarded the prestigious title.
Times Higher Education Awards are highly regarded as a mark of the very best in the higher education sector in the UK and Ireland.
“Compassionate leadership and proactive approach to managing the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic ” were highlighted in the win.
The accolade recognised Cardiff Met’s achievements throughout the 2019-20 academic year, the student experience, staff culture, research and innovation.
It noted that overall student satisfaction improved from 3% below average in the 2015-16 National Student Survey to 2% above average in 2019-20.
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Cardiff Met Vice Chancellor Professor Cara Aitchison said: “The entire Cardiff Met community is absolutely delighted to have won what is widely regarded as one of the most significant awards in the UK Higher Education sector.
“This award recognises and rewards the values-driven character of our university and the significant improvements across all areas of performance in recent years.
“Winning this national award has put Cardiff Met on the map of high calibre UK universities and builds upon our recent success in major league tables and the award of the title of Welsh University of the Year 2021 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide.
“I wish to thank every single member of staff for the part they have played in creating a resilient, ambitious and high achieving global university.”
The university’s Chair of Governors, John Taylor added: “This is a remarkable achievement which follows in the footsteps of a number of notable success this year.
“I wish to echo the Vice Chancellor by thanking all members of staff for their continued dedication and, of course, the students whose commitment to learning has remained constant throughout these challenging times.”
The accolade follows other pre-pandemic success when Cardiff Met deemed to be the most financially sustainable university in Wales by the Wales Governance Centre in 2020.
