Sheffield Hallam shortlisted for University of the Year at THE Awards

1st September 2022

Sheffield Hallam has been shortlisted for University of the Year at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2022.

Widely recognised as the ‘Oscars of higher education’, the awards celebrate the talent, dedication and innovation of individuals and teams across all aspects of university life.

The University of the Year award recognises institutions that have demonstrated exceptional performance during the 2020-21 academic year.

Sheffield Hallam has been shortlisted for its success on work-based learning and student employability, its commitment to supporting students from under-represented backgrounds into higher education and for its role as a major driver of economic growth and social mobility in the North.

The University’s shortlisted submission includes:

• Outstanding student success - being the top UK modern university for numbers of students entering highly skilled employment within 15 months of graduating.
• Widening access - enrolling more students from under-represented backgrounds than any other UK university for the fifth consecutive year.
• Regional impact - being a major driver of economic growth and social mobility in the North, launching a ‘Civic University Agreement’ to tackle key local challenges and ensuring the benefits of higher education are shared across South Yorkshire.

Commenting on the shortlisting, Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Chris Husbands, said: “This recognition represents another milestone on our mission to become a world leading applied university. It is testament to the hard work, dedication and determination of our students, staff and partners.

“Our ambition is focused on transforming lives through applied teaching and research, so that students from all backgrounds have opportunities to build successful and fulfilling careers.

“It is also about being a major driver of growth and social mobility in the North – serving our region and ensuring the benefits of higher education are shared across South Yorkshire.

“Despite all the challenges the last few years have thrown at us, we have seen some outstanding progress and achievements the whole university community can be proud of.” 

The University has also been shortlisted for the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community award in recognition of South Yorkshire Futures (SYF), the biggest university-led social mobility programme in the country, and its leadership in the civic university agenda.

SYF aims to help children and young people in South Yorkshire achieve a successful life by improving educational attainment and supporting progression into higher education and work, by partnering with local partners including local authorities, schools and colleges, the third sector, and the local business community.

Sheffield Hallam’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) has also been shortlisted for Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year for the AWRC Wellbeing Accelerator.

The Wellbeing Accelerator has successfully supported UK and international early-stage health and wellbeing companies to bring their innovative products to market. The unique programme brings together businesses, researchers, clinicians, and patients in one location to develop technology driven innovations.

The shortlisting follows a series of award wins for Sheffield Hallam. It was named University of the Year in the Educate North Awards 2022, the National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) Awards 2022 and the UK Social Mobility Awards 2021.

Sheffield Hallam was also announced as the Outstanding Entrepreneurial University of the Year at the 2021 THE Awards.

Editor of THE, John Gill, said: “This is the 18th year that the THE Awards will celebrate the best that UK higher education has to offer, across 20 categories covering all aspects of university activity.

“Once again, the shortlists reflect universities doing extraordinary things in extraordinary times, during the 2020-21 academic year, when the pandemic continued to force higher education and all who work in it to respond to an unprecedented challenge.

“All of us at THE are looking forward to celebrating with those shortlisted when we get together for the ‘Oscars of higher education’ in November.”

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London in November.