This week Kingston University came runner up in two categories in The Guardian University Awards 2020, while the University of the year award went to Aston University.
KU was named runner up in the Course design, retention and student outcomes category, aswell as the Buildings that inspire category for its Town House project.
On Town House, the Guardian said: “[It is] striking enough to provide an impressive physical symbol of shared learning experiences and community.
“Half the students at Kingston are the first in their family to attend university and the university wanted to use architecture to make students feel like they belong.”
Victory in the Buildings that inspire category also went to Aston University. It’s University of the year award was given for its “work eradicating the gap in grades between black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students and their white peers, as well as its emphasis on sustainability.”
The award for Course design, retention and student outcomes was presented to Manchester Metropolitan University for its Third Term Programme that offers students a way to learn or develop a personal interest or skill outside the restrictions of their course.
In this category KU was shortlisted for bridging the attainment gap and improving the progression of BAME students, mainly of those who study pharmacy.
“The most striking result was the removal of BAME and other attainment gaps in the Bachelor of Science. Scores in the National Student Survey also improved significantly.
“Students who were mentored in academic skills had better progression rates to the second year of the degree than those who were not, despite having lower average entry tariffs,” the said Guardian of the KU programme.
All winners of The Guardian University Awards 2020:
- Buildings that inspire: Aston University
- Business collaboration: University of Birmingham
- Course design, retention and student outcomes: Manchester Metropolitan University
- Digital innovation: University of Kent
- Employability and entrepreneurship: King’s College London
- Internationalisation: Coventry University
- Marketing and comms campaign: King’s College London
- Research impact: The Open University
- Social and community impact: University of Derby
- Staff experience: University of Glasgow
- Student experience: Sheffield Hallam University
- Sustainability: University of Exeter
- Teaching excellence: The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
- Widening access and outreach: The Open University
- University of the year: Aston University
Grace Henley 
Josh Smith 
Ella Rebbitt