This week’s news is dominated by the results from higher education rankings and awards ceremonies in the UK.
The Young University Rankings have highlighted the strength of UK universities, alongside the growth of prestigious young universities in Asia. In Canada, new research has said that the English and French language sector is set to make a steady recovery after the last year of turmoil.
Here’s your weekly higher education news roundup.
UK takes the lead in 2021 Young University Rankings
The UK has taken the lead in this year’s Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, with 37 institutions making the cut.
To be eligible for the list, universities must be under 50 years old and as soon as they reach their 51st birthday become ineligible. The rankings are used to show the progression and development of new universities across the globe.
Overall, the rankings include over 450 universities from 68 countries and regions.
The top 10 this year is dominated by universities from Asia, including Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. In second place is France’s Paris Sciences et Lettres - PSL Research University Paris.
South Korea is now considered home to the highest number of leading universities in the world however, claiming three places in the top 10 of the rankings.
It is the first year that Asian universities outnumber those elsewhere in the world in the top 10 of the rankings.
Winners of Student Choice Awards announced
The winners of the 2021 Whatuni Student Choice Awards have been announced.
With over 100 initial submissions, this year’s awards reflect the “remarkable ways” institutions have ensured students are supported during Covid-19, organisers said.
Categories in the awards included Student Support, Diversity and Inclusion, Excellence in Digital Innovation, and Enhanced Graduate Outcomes.
Nominees and winners are selected by students, with this year giving a real reflection of institutions that have continued to excel in supporting their students through the pandemic.
The high level of overall student satisfaction is “a genuine vote of confidence, and will be welcome news to universities and colleges as they continue to battle the challenges posed by Covid-19,” said Simon Emmett.
Finalists included:
Diversity & Inclusion:
Leeds Trinity University (winner), Swansea University, Newcastle University
Enhanced Graduate Outcome:
Norland College (winner), Teesside University, De Montfort University
Student Support:
UCEN Manchester (winner), Middlesex University, Oxford Business School
Excellence in Digital Innovation:
University of Chester (winner), Teesside University, De Montfort University
Each winning institution will receive £10,000 to be awarded to five eligible students as Whatuni Bursaries in the next academic year.
Canadian research shows language programmes are “well positioned” for growth
Research conducted by Bonard on behalf of Languages Canada has found that the English and French language education sector in the country will make a steady recovery over the next two years.
The research, which was conducted in March 2021, had the aim of evaluating the global language education sector and Canada’s position within it.
Findings from the report were unveiled by Bonard’s business solutions project manager Roberto Diniz at the State of the Language Sector in Canada Webinar, hosted by Languages Canada.
“Our research showed that Canada’s language education sector is well positioned for future growth, once, naturally, international travel fully resumes,” he said.
This will come as good news for those working in the sector in North America, where international admissions have been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bonard’s research found that Canada was the most popular choice for prospective students who were considering studying English abroad, with 31% of students asked considering studying English in Canada. The second top destination was the UK with 20%.
For those thinking of studying French, Canada came second at 32%, with France taking the top spot with 51%.
Researchers also found that the single most important factor driving students’ decision on study destination was best entry conditions (24%).
