UEL shortlisted as University of the Year

The University of East London has emerged as a leading example of educational innovation and societal transformation, earning a nomination for the prestigious title of University of the Year award in the Times Higher Education 2023 awards.  

The awards are dubbed the “Oscars of Higher Education” and attract hundreds of entries from institutions across the UK. The results will be announced in December. 

The nomination reflects the University’s transformation, five years into its 10-year Vision 2028 strategy. 

UEL’s remarkable evolution has not only addressed formidable historical financial challenges but has also tackled, head-on, structural social inequalities, creating a new educational partnership model that is successfully diversifying the talent pipeline to solve 5.0 skills gaps. 

Central to the University’s success is its pioneering approach to collaboration with industries and communities. Today, this ground-breaking approach delivers life-changing benefits for its communities and culture-changing benefits for employer partners, every single day. Through this approach, UEL has achieved an unprecedented 800 per cent increase in employer partnerships over five years, bringing top employers to communities – such as UEL’s home base in Newham - that had been traditionally underserved (1), with graduate employment positive outcomes improvement in the top 10% (2). 

A defining feature of UEL’s strategy is its award-winning Professional Fitness & Mental Wealth curriculum, now in its fourth year, which is seamlessly integrated at every academic level. This innovative curriculum develops students’ emotional, social, physical and cultural intelligence, and digital proficiency to thrive in a constantly evolving workplace – essential attributes for success in a dynamic workplace heavily influenced by AI and emerging technologies and the kind of “soft skills” that employers are seeking.  

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Amanda Broderick said,

We are unrecognisable as an institution compared to 2018, anticipating and responding to changing workforce challenges and societal inequalities.  "

“As we celebrate our 125th year, our transformation illustrates our furious focus on social mobility and sustainable social value - and we are determined to continue to confound expectations over the next five years and beyond.   

“This nomination, a tribute to the whole university community, is recognition of what we have been able to achieve in a short period of time – including two years of lockdown upheaval – and our presence at the awards in December will further galvanise us to re-double our efforts to meet the aspirations of our remarkable students.” 

The University’s transformation is marked by a series of extraordinary achievements: 

• Employment success: UEL’s unwavering focus on employment outcomes propelled the institution to the top 10 per cent of the sector in terms of employment progression (2). Employers have lauded UEL’s pioneering approach to identifying and nurturing talent, including the Diversity of Thought programme, challenging old-fashioned proxies.  
• Cultivating entrepreneurs: UEL fostered a culture of entrepreneurship, witnessing an impressive 500 per cent surge in graduate start-ups. The University's nurturing environment and specialist support has empowered students to become future business leaders, contributing to economic growth within their communities. (3) 
• Academic excellence: UEL’s commitment to academic excellence yielded exceptional results, positioning the university as the UK’s leader in students achieving university awards. This milestone is particularly remarkable given UEL’s diverse and socially inclusive profile, which includes high numbers of students who are the first in their families to attend university. (4) 
• Inclusivity and sustainability: UEL's impact reverberates beyond academia, establishing the institution as a global exemplar in urban green energy and zero-carbon realisation. This has seen the University evidence significant progress towards its 2030 net zero carbon pledge: carbon footprint reduction, carbon-free brain-print expansion and building carbon-free new economies. UEL is an Earthshot nominee. Meanwhile, the University's dedication to inclusive sport – targeting health gain as a prerequisite to learning gain - has led to ground-breaking, inclusive physical activation and the highest levels of social justice-led public engagement. 

THE editor John Gill said:

“19 years on from their launch, I’m delighted to say that the enthusiasm for the THE Awards continues to grow. This year saw yet another record number of entries, but maybe more importantly, we also have more institutions represented on the shortlists than ever before – a clear indicator of the great strength in depth of UK and Irish higher education.”

1. In 2018, UEL worked with 300 employer partners; that has risen to over 2,500 today, a more than 830% increase.  
2. Student outcomes: Data dashboard - Office for Students  
3. From 97th (in 2018) to 8th in the UK (now 6th in 2023) in student start-ups and social enterprise: HESA Graduate Starts ranking 2021/2022  Intellectual property, start-ups and spin-offs | HESA). We have seen a 515%+ increase in graduate start-ups between 18/19 and 21/22 in the Higher Education Business and Community Interaction (HEBCI) submission. 
4. Office for Students, Student outcomes: Data dashboard - Office for Students