The University of Worcester is a close-knit and high-achieving community where students are supported to succeed at every level.

The University has been ranked in the top 5 in the UK for Quality Education in all years of the Times Higher Education’s University Impact Rankings, which assess how universities globally are meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The University has also been ranked in the top 5 in the UK for Gender Equality in all years of the rankings.      

Worcester has been shortlisted three times as the Times Higher Education’s University of the Year – in 2016, 2019 and 2020 - and twice for University of the Year in the UK Social Mobility Awards – in 2019 and 2020.

The University scores consistently above our benchmark and the average in the National Student Survey. In 2021, Worcester Students’ Union was ranked among the top 10 unions at mainstream universities across the UK in the independent survey.

Worcester achievements

  • Top 5 in the UK for Quality Education - in all years of the Times Higher Education’s University Impact Rankings
  • Sustainability Institution of the Year - Winner- 2019 Green Gown Awards
  • University of the Year - Finalist - 2020 Times Higher Education Awards and UK Social Mobility Awards
  • Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - Winner - 2020 Times Higher Education Awards
  • Top 10 for Sustained Employment - Longitudinal Educational Outcomes survey 
  • Top 20 for Student Experience - Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022

 

A place for everyone

The University is a truly inclusive place where every person counts as an individual.  From designing imaginative facilities to providing practical support and tailored learning, we strive to help people of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve their own rich potential. We work hard to break down barriers and provide opportunities for all.

In 2020 we were the winner of the Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Worcester is home to Europe’s first integrated university and public library, The Hive, and Britain’s first inclusive indoor sports hall purpose-designed to include the wheelchair athlete, the University of Worcester Arena, two facilities that exemplify our commitment to inclusion. 

Our commitment to supporting students’ wellbeing was recognised in being shortlisted for Outstanding Student Support in 2018 and 2019 in the Times Higher Education University Awards, and we are regularly identified as a best practice example in this field. 

We believe in educating and supporting the whole person to succeed in their own personal endeavours but to also use the skills they develop to build a better world. 

Discover the University of Worcester

 
Outstanding graduate employment

Worcester has one of the best records of graduate employment in the Country. 96% of Worcester graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022) and Worcester is the number one English higher education institute (excluding specialist institutions) for sustained employment, with or without further study, three and five years after graduation (LEO 2022)

A key feature of a University of Worcester education is the golden triangle of professional education, which interweaves expert knowledge and practical learning. At the three points of the triangle are the well-motivated student, an inspiring educator, and an expert professional mentor.

With close industry links across a range of sectors, Worcester students have opportunities to access work placements, to earn-as-they-learn in jobs relevant to your studies, as well as volunteering, all helping to build your skills, confidence and employability.

 

"We will support you whenever needed, with excellent counselling, guidance, welfare and support."

Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive

TEF silver logo
TEF Silver logo

High quality teaching

In the first ever national Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), Worcester was rated Silver, with assessors commenting that Worcester “delivers high quality teaching, learning and outcomes for its students” and “consistently exceeds rigorous national quality requirements for UK higher education”.

We were placed 20th for student experience and 23rd for teaching quality (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022, published September 2021).

The TEF panel noted that we excel at teaching which encourages high levels of student engagement and commitment to learning and study. Including “excellent levels” of contact time and schemes that involve students in the process of enhancing their own learning experience.

Worcester is ranked among the very best in the UK in two national independent surveys exploring postgraduate teaching and research. In the . In the AdvanceHE Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2022, Worcester is ranked 7th amongst 90 UK universities for overall satisfaction, while Worcester is ranked 7th out of 94 in the AdvanceHE Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) 2021. 

In August 2021, the University was given the go ahead to recruit the first students to its new Three Counties Medical School. Construction is underway on a new healthcare training facility, which will feature a state-of-the-art anatomy suite.

Inside the Hive
Inside the Hive library

A community-engaged university

Worcester has been an exemplar in the contribution a university can make to society. We recognise that the health and wellbeing of the University is inextricably tied to the physical, social, and economic wellbeing of the region in which we live. Our ideas, skills and resources contribute a great deal to the communities of which we are a part and we are committed to helping businesses, public and voluntary organisations to succeed.

We have deliberately chosen to develop our facilities differently, creating places that are open to all and that are conducive to co-operation and success.

The University was the winner of the 2020 Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and winner of the 2019 THE Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community. The University won the 2019 Guardian University Award for Internationalisation.

We are the UK's best performing university for fair gender pay, and have been since the statistics were first nationally published. A report from the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) in early 2018 placed the University of Worcester in the top 10 of universities which best reflect society.

View from outside the Hive
Outside the Hive library

Environmental Sustainability

Worcester is a leader in sustainability and climate change research, teaching and engagement. The University received First Class Honours in the 2022 People and Planet University Sustainability League, ranking 14th overall. Worcester was named Sustainability Institution of the Year in the Green Gown Awards 2019. Our campus is a living laboratory for developing, testing and implementing solutions that enhance the health of people and planet. 

The University of Worcester making the news

A selection of recently published videos