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High achievement isn’t simply reserved for our students. The University has garnered several plaudits along the way, too.

Whether it’s for the excellence of our teaching, the quality of our student support, the safety of our campus, our enviable green spaces or the high standard of our accommodation, we regularly chalk up major successes. Of course, there’s a reason why students feel academically inspired, wonderfully accommodated and fully supported. It’s all thanks to the hard work of our innovative staff.

As we celebrate the past 90 years of excellence at our Ormskirk campus we’re revisiting some of our successes from the last decade. Find out the reasons why we won Modern University of the Year 2022 (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide).

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The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 Modern University of the Year logo

Modern University of the Year (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022)

The Guide’s editor Alastair McCall described Edge Hill as “one of the shining stars of the modern university sector,” highlighting its reputation as a “go-ahead institution with ambition for its students.”

Also shortlisted for overall UK University of the Year, Edge Hill was praised for its continuous investment in the student experience, quality of teaching, outstanding facilities and courses designed to meet the real-world needs of employers.

The awards recognised the University’s exceptional achievements in adverse circumstances following 18 months of pandemic uncertainty.

Students sit outside the Catalyst.

University of the Year (Educate North awards 2020-21)

Edge Hill was celebrated for its commitment to putting students at the heart of everything it does, innovating and investing so it can offer exceptional experiences.

The awards also saw Vice-Chancellor Dr John Cater – the longest-serving head of a UK higher education institution – pick up the lifetime achievement accolade for his vision of education as a force for good:

“The kind of institution we’re creating is one that puts students first, focused on high-quality learning and teaching, and its impact in the local, regional and national community.”

Staff and students pose in the Hub to celebrate University of the Year award

University of the Year (The Times Higher Education awards 2014-15)

Edge Hill scooped Higher Education’s most prestigious accolade from a six-strong shortlist of institutions, including Glasgow and Swansea Universities.

John Gill, Times Higher Education editor, described our university as “a great success story, having quietly established itself as an institution that improves and impresses year after year.”

The award-win saw a surge of interest in Edge Hill, with record numbers of visitors at open days and external organisations seeking to collaborate, including Tate Liverpool, the Liverpool Everyman Theatre and Liverpool Sound City.

A diverse group of students sit together on a wall on EHU's campus. They are smiling and laughing.

University of the Year for Retention (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018)

The Guide considered Edge Hill the “stand out candidate” for this award for its work helping students complete their courses and its low dropout rate.

The Guide was impressed with the University’s strong sense of social responsibility, encouraging students from non-traditional backgrounds, disadvantaged areas and minority groups into higher education and supporting them to succeed.

It highlighted its financial packages, including the Student Opportunity Fund, to help them take advantage of CV and skill-boosting activities that may otherwise be out of their reach.

Edge Hill's Spotlight Award from the Global Teaching Excellence Awards, 2018.

Global Teaching Excellence Spotlight Award (Advance HE 2018)

Edge Hill was recognised as one of the world’s finest teaching institutions for “the quality of support and engagement infrastructure for its students.”

We joined prestigious universities from Australia, Canada and South Africa on the shortlist, becoming one of just five to receive the award.

For Vice-Chancellor Dr John Cater, it was an endorsement of Edge Hill’s commitment to excellence:

“Our staff are wholeheartedly dedicated to students and their achievement, and the University continues to invest in the best possible facilities for learning.”

Geosciences staff sat outside the Law and Psychology building

Best UK Employer (European Business Awards 2016)

Up against businesses and organisations across all sectors, Edge Hill was the only UK recipient of the Ruban D’Honneur in the Employer of the Year category.

The University was chosen from a pool of almost 700 national champions, recognised for inspiring, motivating and supporting its staff.

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the awards, said: “To survive in this economic climate is hard enough, so to innovate, prosper and grow…is truly remarkable. Europe needs more companies like these.”

The awards involved a judging panel comprising European political and business leaders, academics and entrepreneurs.

Facilities Management and security

One of the safest universities in the country (4th university town in the UK for lowest crime rates, Complete University Guide 2023). 

Edge Hill was named one of the safest universities in the country, with the Guide judging it to be the 4th university town in the UK for lowest crime rates.

A 24/7 Campus Support team helps foster the “positive and secure experience” students, staff and visitors enjoy on our Ormskirk site. There’s also a system to ensure students feel comfortable and safe in their on-campus accommodation.  

Other security measures to reassure our people include mobile security patrols and key, card or fob-only access.

Students socialising in their kitchen.

Best University Housing (Global Student Living Awards 2023)

Students have voted Edge Hill University as the best in the UK for accommodation in the 2023 Uni Compare rankings.

Edge Hill’s student accommodation has also been shortlisted for two global accolades for the second year running – Best University Housing and Best Moving in Experience.

The awards are based exclusively on direct feedback from tens of thousands of students.

Adrian McGillion is Director of Facilities Management: “We work hard to make sure our students have somewhere to live that is home-from-home, comfortable, beautiful and safe where they feel a sense of belonging.”

A member of the support team is talking enthusiastically to a student who is sat in front of them in a small meeting room

Student Support and Community Contribution shortlists (Times Higher Education Awards 2021)

Edge Hill was recognised for its efforts during Covid-19 in higher education’s most prestigious awards.

Shortlisted for its Support for Students, it was praised for providing £300,000 of free laptops and equipment, waiving £4 million in accommodation costs and creating an online mental health community.

The University was also shortlisted for its Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community, including the efforts of our staff and students volunteering on the frontline, providing testing and vaccination facilities, and accommodation for key workers.