Leeds Arts University has been awarded ‘University of the Year for Student Retention’ in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019!
This is the first time the University has featured in the guide since gaining university status and has ranked 54 out of 132 universities in the national table; within the top 10 modern universities; and 4th overall in Yorkshire and Humberside.
Leeds Arts University received the award due to an impressively low dropout rate; just 3.8% of students are projected to drop out over the course of their degree, against an expected level of 9.6%. The University also ranks highly for overall levels of student satisfaction with both teaching quality and student experience, coming top in Yorkshire and Humberside in both areas.
Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019, said:
“Arts specialist institutions, such as Leeds Arts, have a notoriously high non-completion rate for many of their degree programmes. Leeds Arts comprehensively bucks that trend and has a degree completion rate that would not look out of place at Oxford, Cambridge or many of the best-known names in British higher education.
Leeds Arts has highest levels of student satisfaction with both teaching quality and the wider student experience among all universities in our North university league table, demonstrating the affection and respect in which the institution is held by its students. Why would they want to drop out?”
From the application process to enrolment and the day-to-day experience, Leeds Arts University has put measures in place to ensure students continue their studies.
The application process allows each student to meet the course tutors one-to-one helping to build relationships early on. During the first term, course trips and activities, and a buddy-scheme help students to settle quickly to their new environment and encourage them to build bonds with their peers. Regular contact with members of the course team provides opportunities to raise any issues of concern, and student welfare and learning support teams work closely with academic staff to provide inclusive and bespoke support.
Professor Simone Wonnacott, Vice-Chancellor, Leeds Arts University, said:
“To receive this award from The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide is a huge achievement, and an important recognition of the dedication our staff have to ensuring students have the best possible experience at Leeds Arts University.
Our students enjoy a close-knit community, working in studios and workshops alongside their tutors and peers that helps foster a culture of creativity and collaboration. Teaching styles value personal creativity and we ensure that resources are consistent with what is used in industry.
Students regularly report high levels of satisfaction with teaching quality and student experience, reflected in our low dropout rate, but we are never complacent, seeking only ever to improve and ensure our students are at the heart of everything we do.”
