The Times Higher (THE) is one of the most respected and ‌authoritative publications for higher education in the world.  

For their awards, hundreds of nominations for outstanding institutions, departments and individuals were submitted across 18 categories covering the full range of university activity.  

‌Swansea University has been shortlisted for:

•    University of the Year, with its entry detailing record applications, the new Bay campus, work with businesses, and sports initiatives such as the recent IPC Games, and joint work with Swansea City FC on new facilities. (See facts and figures below)

•    Employer Engagement: leadership development with small businesses, and training programmes run in collaboration with a variety of industries to meet business needs.

•    Excellence and Innovation in the Arts, for the Heritage Skills Programme, run by the Research Institute for Arts and Humanities.  This offered specialist heritage-themed workshops to students and placements in high profile heritage organisations.  

•    Research Project of the Year, for Dr David Turner’s work on disability history. Dr Turner, a historian in the College of Arts and Humanities has won an international publication prize and worked with the BBC on a series for Radio 4.

Professor Hilary Lappin-Scott, Swansea University Pro-Vice-Chancellor, said:

“I am delighted by this fantastic news, which confirms that Swansea University remains on an upward trajectory   This follows on from us being nominated in May as WhatUni’s University of the Year. 

We’ve also scored very highly in high-profile league tables like the QS Stars global university ratings system which awarded Swansea University the top 5 star rating for Internationalisation, Teaching, Facilities and Engagement.  

The University has continued to move upward into the top 20 UK Universities for employability and student satisfaction, two measures that  are particularly important for students.

“These accolades are a recognisable measure of our performance and reputation. They show that as an ambitious, research-led institution with top quality teaching, Swansea is an excellent place to study for UK, EU and international students.”

John Gill, THE editor, said:

"This celebration marks the tenth anniversary of the Times Higher Education Awards, 10 years in which higher education has undergone huge changes but has always risen to the challenges it has faced.

Our universities and colleges are among the nation’s most respected institutions, both at home and internationally, and it’s THE’s great privilege to have played a part in celebrating their achievements over the past decade.”

The full shortlist for all 18 categories is published in today’s issue of Times Higher Education, and is also available on the awards website

The winners will be announced on Thursday 27 November 2014 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.

Swansea University in 2012-13:  facts and figures

•    23% - increase in undergraduate applications
•    77.5% – students securing graduate level employment or study (up 19% on 2011);
•    86% - student satisfaction rating (up 4% on 2011

•    exceptional retention rates: the undergraduate withdrawal rate was just 1.9%.
•    26% - increase in postgraduate research students;
•    77% increase in taught master’s students (2004-2013);
•    60% increase in research income (2004-2013).
•    the first major strategic partnership agreement between a UK and French university (Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble).