Aberystwyth University comes top of the class at national student choice awards

Aberystwyth University has been voted best in the UK for its first class student hall facilities at the 2022 national Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCA), the UK’s leading student-led university awards.

BAFTA-winning actor and comedian Richard Ayoade hosted the glittering event held in Canary Wharf, London.

Cardiff University’s Student’s Union was voted best in Wales, just pipped to the post for best in the UK by the University of Sheffield. In a good night for Wales’ institutions, Bangor University had a strong night being nominated in an impressive seven categories – including best overall University, best Student Support and best Lecturers and Teaching in Wales. St. David’s Trinity College and Aberystwyth University were also nominated in the Teaching category.

Unlike other national university league tables and accolades, in the WUSCA awards, all the universities are nominated and judged by the real experts; the students themselves. The national award ceremony and the Whatuni comparison site helps guide students as they try to make decisions and navigate their path to university.

Simon Emmett, CEO at IDP Connect, said:

“The thousands of WUSCA student reviews we’ve received from students across the UK reflect the remarkable commitment, passion and care institutions have demonstrated towards their students over the last 12 months. The higher education sector creates exceptional student experiences and the WUSCAs is about celebrating that but also ensuring students have the insight they need to make the very best decisions about their future.

“As universities continue to battle the challenges posed by Covid, these awards will be a huge boost to universities and colleges who are leading the way in student satisfaction. These invaluable results will help students make the best choice about their next steps into higher education.

“Each of our winners and finalists have gone above and beyond to have a positive impact on student’s university experiences and shows the quality of higher education in the UK and its creativity, resilience and innovation.”

“Congratulations to the winners and well done to our shortlisted institutions and runners up.

Angela Rapley, Head of Brand and Content, IDP, added:

“It was fantastic to have Richard Ayoade host this year’s awards ceremony, in our first in-person Whatuni Student Choice Awards since 2019. Our terrific submission award judging panel this year was once again made up of students gathered from across the country. Who better to judge universities than students themselves?

“After a challenging couple of years, it’s important to recognise the universities who are going above and beyond to support students and give them the best university experiences possible. The institutions recognised have successfully adapted, created and implemented fantastic initiatives to support and engage students, which our awards are thrilled to celebrate.”