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Harper Adams named best university in UK for Career Prospects for seventh time

Posted 27 April 2023

Glowing student reviews have once again seen Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ named as the best in the country for career prospects for the seventh time in a row.

The University took the top spot at last night’s Student Choice Awards, or WUSCAs, in the Career Prospects category. The win is the seventh time the University has taken the award since 2016, securing it every year except 2021, when awards were not made nationally due to the covid-19 pandemic.

The 240 higher education institutions which are assessed for the Whatuni Student Choice Awards are nominated and judged by their students – with more than 35,000 verified student reviews generating this year’s shortlist and winners.

Comedian, actor and Sunday Times bestselling author Ellie Taylor hosted this year's glamorous awards ceremony in London, with a team of Harper Adams employees and students, including Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students Dr Simone Clarke and Careers Advisor and Service Manager Maria Simpson.

Congratulations to @HarperAdamsUniAdams University for winning the Career Prospects award at WUSCA! Their dedication to empowering students with the skills and resources needed to succeed in their careers is truly commendable. Well done, Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ!

— IDP Connect (@IDP_Connect)

Maria said: “Last night was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate what our students continue to value here at Harper Adams, recognising the impact our degree programmes and other services have on their journey as they drive a new way forward through to the working world.

“From working closely with both our current students and alumni, we regularly hear positive feedback first-hand about how our networking opportunities have benefitted them – including our Careers and Placement Fair and the valuable placement year.

“We can see there’s been a change in the current market they’re in since the pandemic, and it’s important that we continue to support them and maintain those connections by keeping in touch – so it’s fantastic to see we’re continuing to be recognised for that by our students.”

And Simone added: "We are delighted to receive this award on behalf of our staff colleagues, employer partners, students and our alumni.

"Together, we support our graduates to achieve outcomes that are some of the best in our sector. Our track record of receiving this award is a testimony to the dedication and talent of Maria and her team."

Guests at last night’s awards were shown quotes from students at the shortlisted institutions – with the quote for Harper Adams paying tribute to both the University’s ‘great learning environment’ and to the value of its placement year as an insight into industry.

Simon Emmett, CEO at IDP Connect, said: "The Whatuni awards celebrate creativity, resilience and innovation within higher education.

"With the continuing cost-of-living challenges, we're proud to focus on all the good universities do and celebrate their successes.

"Congratulations go to the winners, alongside a huge ‘well done’ to all our shortlisted institutions and the sector as a whole. This year's scores are significantly higher than previous years, highlighting the excellent work done across the sector. I hope the awards highlight the quality of education and students' experiences across our wide and varied sector.

"Each of our winners and finalists has gone above and beyond to positively impact students' university experiences. These awards showcase the quality of higher education in the UK and its creativity, resilience and innovation."

Harper Adams Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan said: “It is fantastic news to see Harper Adams maintain its unbroken record in the Careers Prospects category at the WhatUni Student Choice awards.

“At each year’s Careers, Scholarship, and Placement Fairs, the number of students and alumni returning to talk about their careers is very noticeable – and very welcome. Our graduates go on to work in some of our best-known businesses and institutions, driving change and innovation across the country.

“The strength of those partnerships outlasts the time they are studying with us – but it is heartening to see Harper Adams students once again recognising their value.

“I’d like to thank everyone who helped make this happen – our employees, alumni, donors, partner employers and organisations, and of course - our students.”