Students rank Lancashire's unis top of the class

Higher education ins Lancashire is among the nation's cream... according to students.
An aerial view of Edge Hill UniversityAn aerial view of Edge Hill University
An aerial view of Edge Hill University

The county's universities and college HE facilities rank among the best in the latest national awards.

Receiving the biggest plaudits in the latest WhatUni Student Choice Awards was Edge Hill University which was voted best in the North West in four categories

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After being voted in the top 10 by students for the coveted University of the Year title, Edge Hill ranks top in the region for this category, as well as for best university facilities, best job prospects and best student support.

Professor Julie MennellProfessor Julie Mennell
Professor Julie Mennell

Vice-chancellor Dr John Cater said: "We genuinely put students at the heart of everything we do and to feature as being best in the North West region is testimony to our commitment – it shows we are definitely doing things right.

“I’d like to thank every one of our students for taking the time to comment, it means a lot. Reviews are vital

to improving the student experience and we ensure we use the feedback from our students to continue to invest in the highest quality teaching, learning and facilities, it benefits everyone – the students themselves, the employers who recruit our capable and confident graduates and the people whose lives are enriched with our alumni community."

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Edge Hill is also one of only two on the shortlist for the Northern University of the Year title in this year’s Educate North Awards, the results of which will be announced later this year.

Meanwhile, the Lancaster-based University of Cumbria has been rated as top in the North West and among the best in the UK for graduate employability, with 96 per cent of all its graduates in employment or undertaking further study within 15 months of graduating.

Also, 83 per cent of graduates who entered into paid or voluntary employment were in professional-level jobs.

Published by the Higher Education Statistic Agency (HESA), the Graduate Outcomes Survey records what higher education students are doing 15 months after qualification.

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Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell said: "Our focus on providing a learning environment, industry-related work experience opportunities and teaching from people who have worked in their profession make this possible.

"We continue to work in partnership with local and national employers to produce graduates with the skills and

abilities needed to contribute to business growth and development in our region and beyond. And we pride ourselves on guiding our students to achieve more, making us one of the top universities in the UK for graduate outcomes."

The University of Cumbria was recently recognised as top for its quality of education in the UK and eighth in the world according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

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Blackpool and Fylde College also celebrating after rave reviews from students won it a silver in the FE College category of the WhatUni? Student Choice Awards 2020.

Cheryl Dunn, B&FC's vice principal for Higher Education and Student Enrichment, said: "There is no community more important to us than our students.

"And by being student-driven, this award validates all the work we do in supporting them to achieve career success - and enjoy the journey getting there.

"We are delighted by all the great reviews which inspire us to do even better, every year."

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