Cardiff Metropolitan University has been shortlisted in the prestigious University of the Year category by the Times Higher Education awards (THE Awards) 2021.
Cardiff Met joins the likes of Aston University, the University of York and The Open University who have also been nominated for this award.
This high-profile nomination recognises how Cardiff Met has established itself as a progressive values-driven university with an excellent student experience and staff culture. This has been evidenced by a track record and trajectory of growth, diversification and improvement, supported by sustainable finances with Cardiff Met deemed to be the most financially sustainable university in Wales by the Wales Governance Centre.The University, under the leadership of Professor Cara Aitchison, has worked towards seven bold priorities which were set out in a values-driven strategic plan in 2016/17 and refreshed in 2019/20 in response to the pandemic.
The 2019/20 academic year saw successes in the development of the Cardiff School of Technologies, the full implementation of the Cardiff Met EDGE (Ethical, Digital, Global and Entrepreneurial) student experience and development of three interdisciplinary Global Academies.
This nomination also recognises how overall student satisfaction improved from 3 per cent below average in the 2015/16 National Student Survey to 2 per cent above average in 2019/20, with the University entering the top 40 in 2019/20. ‘Good degrees’ increased from 64 per cent in 2015/16 to 80 per cent in 2019/20.In addition, Cardiff Met has delivered cultural change by prioritising health, wellbeing, equality and diversity with compassionate leadership and evidenced in the 2020 Capita staff survey results. This survey showed how 96 per cent of staff agreed that Cardiff Met is a good place to work – against a sector average of 87 per cent.
Now in its 17th year, the Times Higher Education awards are a highlight of the academic calendar and a celebration of the very best establishments within the Higher Education sector.The winner will be announced at what is hoped to be an in-person event in London on 25 November.
