Arts University Plymouth crowned University of the Year for South West England at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth has been crowned <strong>University of the Year for South West England</strong> at the<a href="https://www.whatuni.com/student-awards-winners/"> Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) 2025</a>, recognised across four major categories that reflect the heart of student experience in creative higher education. Arts University Plymouth was crowned as the<a href="https://www.whatuni.com/student-awards-winners/lecturers-and-teaching-quality/south-west-england/"> <strong>Lecturers &amp; Teaching Quality Winner for South West England</strong></a>,<a href="https://www.whatuni.com/student-awards-winners/facilities/south-west-england/"> <strong>Facilities Winner for South West England</strong></a>, and<a href="https://www.whatuni.com/student-awards-winners/student-support/south-west-england/"> <strong>Student Support Winner for South West England</strong></a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Voted for by students and based entirely on over 35,000 verified reviews, the WUSCAs are the UK’s only higher education awards driven solely by student opinion. These honours reflect both national and regional recognition for excellence in areas that matter most to students.<br /></p>

<p>Being named <strong>University of the Year for South West England</strong> reflects Arts University Plymouth’s continued leadership in creative education, combining a nurturing and inclusive student experience with a distinctive industry-informed curriculum.</p> <p>Arts University Plymouth was ranked <strong>#2 in the UK for student satisfaction</strong> by <em>Times Higher Education</em>’s analysis of the National Student Survey 2024, and continues to build on its national reputation for student-centred learning.</p>

<p>Topping the <strong>Facilities</strong> category for the South West, Arts University Plymouth is home to over <strong>13,000 square metres</strong> of studios and workshops across six buildings, all located in the heart of Britain’s Ocean City.</p> <p>Students have access to a wide range of open-access resources including <strong>Fab Lab South West</strong>, the <strong>Materials Lab</strong>, the <strong>Multimedia Studio</strong>, <strong>Imprint Lab</strong>, and <strong>Adobe Creative Campus</strong> resources. These spaces support a culture of experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration and professional-standard creative production.</p>

<p>Winning the <strong>Lecturers &amp; Teaching Quality</strong> award for the South West confirms the arts university’s national standing as a centre of academic excellence.</p> <p>Arts University Plymouth holds a <strong>triple Silver TEF rating (2023)</strong> and is ranked <strong>#2 in the UK for Teaching Excellence</strong> by the <em>Daily Mail University Guide 2025</em>. Students benefit from small class sizes, individual tutor support, and opportunities to engage with active practitioners through live briefs and industry placements.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As the South West winner for <strong>Student Support</strong>, Arts University Plymouth continues to lead with its distinctive model of care. Students have access to <strong>free counselling</strong>, <strong>inclusive learning support</strong>, <strong>mental health mentoring</strong>, and a wide-ranging wellbeing programme that includes <strong>yoga</strong>, <strong>mindfulness</strong>, and <strong>acupuncture</strong>. In 2024, the university ranked <strong>#3 in the UK for Student Support</strong> in the WUSCAs and <strong>#4</strong> in the <em>Daily Mail University Guide 2025</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Vice-Chancellor of Arts University Plymouth, said: “To be named the South West winner in four separate categories is an exceptional honour, and a clear reflection of the dedication and values shared across our university community. This recognition from our students reinforces not only the quality of our teaching, facilities and support, but the care we take in creating a place where every student feels empowered to thrive.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">An<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/events/open-day-ug-jun25"> Undergraduate Open Day</a> takes place on <strong>Saturday 21 June, from 10am to 2pm</strong>, at the leading arts university’s city-centre campus in Plymouth. Prospective students can explore specialist studios and facilities, meet course leaders and current students, and find out more about creative careers in the arts.</p> <p>The event coincides with the<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/events/undergraduate-graduate-shows-2025">Undergraduate Graduate Shows 2025</a>, offering a unique opportunity to experience a wide range of student work across disciplines. Entry is free and open to all.</p>