Teesside University crowned as Modern University of the Year 2026

Teesside University has been crowned as the best modern university in the country in a major national award which highlights the transformative impact of its learning and teaching, setting a new benchmark for modern universities across the country.

The Daily Mail Modern University of the Year 2026 award recognises and celebrates the numerous achievements Teesside University has made to provide an outstanding learning and teaching experience for its students, while also delivering on its core mission to transform lives and economies.

Judges were particularly impressed with the University’s innovative Future Facing Learning initiative which equips students with cutting-edge digital learning technologies to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Teesside’s ground-breaking Campus Masterplan which has seen over £300 million invested in state-of-the-art facilities was also singled out for acclaim. The Masterplan has been entirely funded by the University, without incurring any debt, underlining Teesside's robust financial stability.

The £40 million Digital Life building, a game-changing digital and technology facility to support skills development for the industries of tomorrow, is the latest example of the University’s commitment to its students, stakeholders and the wider regional economy.

The Modern University of the Year accolade is the latest in a series of plaudits which have recognised the exceptional quality of the University’s learning and teaching. Earlier this year, Teesside was rated as Outstanding by Ofsted in all areas for its apprenticeship provision. This followed a triple Gold rating in the national Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.

Alastair McCall, editor of the Daily Mail University Guide, said: 'Teesside was the standout candidate to be Daily Mail Modern University of the Year 2026. It is progressive and ambitious for its students, putting them at the heart of everything it does.

'Teesside University makes a difference. It delivers higher education to thousands of students that they might miss out on it elsewhere in a region with some of the lowest university participation rates. Just under 55% of students are the first in their immediate family to go to university.

'Bold initiatives include providing an iPad for all students wipe out digital poverty at a stroke and allowing the University to deliver courses using technology that they know everyone has access to.

'The University has regenerated Middlesbrough’s university quarter with £300m of investment over the past decade, transforming facilities and the whole atmosphere on campus – all of it funded from its own coffers. It is a model institution financially in a sector riddled with debt and deficits. Not content with its achievements to date, the University’s vision for the future includes adding a medical school to the already impressive list of facilities.

'Successive rises in the Daily Mail University Ranking now see Teesside stand at 45th=, 21 places higher than two years ago. Delivering for its students and the North East of England, Teesside thoroughly deserves the accolade of being Daily Mail Modern University of the Year.'

Professor Paul Croney OBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, said: 'We are thrilled to have been selected as the Daily Mail Modern University of the Year 2026. At Teesside University we are uncompromising in our pursuit of excellence, and we are delighted that this highly prestigious award is further acknowledgement of our success and commitment to our students and partners.

'As a University already rated as triple Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework 2023, along with Ofsted Outstanding for our apprenticeship provision, this latest award firmly establishes Teesside University as a destination of choice for students globally.

'Teesside University is dedicated to transforming lives and economies, and I am particularly proud of the recognition of the considerable work we have done to ensure that people from all walks of life are able to benefit from a truly outstanding higher education experience.

'As a global institution we have an international network of graduates making a real difference within their communities, both here in the Tees Valley and across the world, and it gives me immense pride to see this impact acknowledged.

'I would like to thank all of our staff, students and friends from our Team Teesside community for the immense contributions that they have made to delivering another tremendous accolade for Teesside University.'

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