In the overall UK-wide rankings Sheffield Hallam was ranked an outstanding fifth in England, with the Whatuni Student Choice Awards praising “glowing reviews for going above and beyond for their students”.
The University was also awarded gold for its cost-of-living support for students at the awards, which are the largest annual awards in the UK voted for exclusively by students, ranking university experiences across various categories.
The University also achieved a series of top ten rankings in some of the awards’ most competitive categories, including 4th for best facilities, 5th for best university halls, 7th for best international student experience, 9th for both best career prospects and best postgraduate services, and 10th for both best teaching quality and best overall student support.
Professor Liz Mossop, Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor, said: “It's fantastic to receive this recognition at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards. It reflects the dedication of our staff, partners in the Students’ Union and, most importantly, our students whose experiences are at the heart of everything we do.
“To be recognised in this way by students is a testament to our shared commitment to delivering outstanding support and opportunities that empower all our students to succeed.”
A panel of student judges chose Sheffield Hallam as the winner of the Cost-of-Living Award for its support which is shaped by student insight and collaboration with the Students’ Union.
Alina, a member of the judging panel for the Cost-of-Living Award submissions and a student at the University of Salford, said: “The panel came to the conclusion that Sheffield Hallam University demonstrated a very wide variety of support for their students and also talked about how they intend to support their students in the future. They covered how they have developed quite a broad-ranging provision for many different students from different backgrounds.”
The University’s cost of living support includes targeted scholarships, hardship funding, food vouchers and laptop provision to address financial and digital poverty. Initiatives co-created with the Hallam Students’ Union, including community food schemes and low-cost campus food options, ensuring broad access to support and provision that responds to real financial and wellbeing challenges.
The support has proved to be effective with 89 per cent of students saying they felt confident managing money after starting university compared to 81 per cent who felt confident before they started.
One student who has received support said: “Studying at Hallam was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’ve always felt I can turn to Hallam and tell them about my struggles. If it wasn’t for their support, I don’t think it would have been possible.”
The University was shortlisted in nine out of the 12 categories at this year’s awards, the highest number of nominations for any provider in England, including the coveted University of the Year award.
The awards took place in London on Thursday 21 May.
