Times Good University Guide: Harper Adams University named Modern University of the Year

Th university, near Newport, announced the prestigious award ahead of publication guide's publication this weekend.

The guide will be published as a supplement to the Sunday Times, but the news was announced to families and students at a graduation ceremony on Friday afternoon.

Alastair McCall, editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said: "The distinctiveness of a Harper Adams education makes it stand out in an increasingly crowded higher education marketplace.

"It is the premier institution in the country in its specialist area but this award recognises its wider achievements in providing high quality teaching, an outstanding student experience and top-class facilities.

"This is the first year that a modern university has overtaken some of the so-called elite Russell Group institutions in our league table. They could clearly learn something from Harper Adams when it comes to creating a high-class educational establishment with engaged, dynamic students."

Vice-Chancellor Dr David Llewellyn said: "We are thrilled to have been awarded the title of Modern University of the Year in the Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017. We have, once again, significantly improved our league table position over last year, based on a lot of hard work by our staff and students and a determined focus on the quality of the education that we provide in our academic community.

"In addition to thanking everyone at the University for their role in this outcome, I would like to say how grateful we are to our many supporters in industry, those who help us, in various ways, to develop the institution, and to our partners internationally, all of whom have contributed so much in recent years to the University's success.

"I am sure that there is no better time to receive such news than on our annual graduation day. To be able to share the news and celebrate with our graduating students, their families and university sponsors has made it even more special."

Harper Adams was named University of the Year at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards in April. It holds the joint second highest UK University graduate employment rate – 99.4 per cent – according to the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, and is in the top 10 universities for student satisfaction, as determined by the National Student Survey.