Harper Adams wins again in Student Choice Awards for career prospects

Posted 25 May 2022

Jill Freeman, Maria Simpson and Professor Ken Sloan with the Career Prospects Award.

Student reviews have once more seen Harper Adams named the best university in the country for career prospects.

At last night’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards, or WUSCAs, the University was named winner in the Career Prospects category. The win sees Harper Adams maintaining a run of success which has seen it take the award’s predecessor Job Prospects top title in 2016, 2017, 18, 19 and 20 – with the award not being made nationally last year due to the pandemic.

The awards take ratings from around 30,000 students which are made both through verified campus visits and through online submissions at Whatuni.com – and are the only higher education awards based solely on student choice.

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan, Careers Advisor and Service Manager Maria Simpson, and Jill Freeman from the University Careers Service were at the awards in London’s Canary Wharf to hear the news announced last night by awards compere Richard Ayoade.

Professor Sloan said: “I am delighted that Harper Adams has once again seen our outstanding work in boosting our graduates’ career prospects recognised.

“For that to happen in awards which are guided by the voices of our students is truly special – and shows that our students value the strong relationships we have with industry.

“More than two hundred different employers work with us across careers fairs, placements and more – and our graduates are equipped with the skills they need to perform in specialist sectors which truly need new talent.

“I’d like to thank our industry partners, our staff, and of course our students and graduates – this award is testament to their hard work.”

Harper Adams’ success in securing its graduates employment has not only been regularly recognised through award wins. The 2021 national Graduate Outcomes Survey, which explores what former students from UK universities and other Higher Education providers are doing 15 months after completing their studies, showed more UK-based undergraduates from Harper Adams University are in work or further study than from any other university in the country.

Amongst UK-domiciled full-time undergraduates, nearly 98 per cent of Harper Adams graduates were in work or undertaking further study 15 months after graduating.

Maria Simpson added: “It is a privilege and honour to receive the Whatuni Award 2022 for Career Prospects, voted for by students and recognising the career opportunities that coming to Harper Adams University has given them.

“This student journey embodies the Harper student at the heart of our learning and the wider student experience and support involving all staff.

“A placement year and the relationship with employers who seek our students is always of great value and very special. COVID has created additional challenges for students but the importance of career has remained a key anchor throughout their journey as they look forward to develop strong graduate outcomes.

“We will continue to support our students on this journey.”