Teesside University shortlisted for prestigious University of the Year award

Teesside University has been shortlisted for the highly coveted Times Higher Education University of the Year award, a recognition that celebrates outstanding performance, innovation, and impact across the UK’s higher education sector.

This prestigious nomination underscores Teesside’s unwavering commitment to placing students at the heart of its mission to transform lives and economies in the Tees Valley and beyond.

As well as being shortlisted in the University of the Year category, Teesside is also a finalist in the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category.

Teesside University is a vital anchor institution for the Tees Valley. Its research and knowledge exchange activities deliver transformative impact for businesses and the economy.

Through national centres of excellence for bioscience and green innovation, key strategic facilities such as the National Horizons Centre and the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre support the growth of new and emerging sectors in the region.

Likewise, the University-owned Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) acts as a creative hub for a vibrant arts and culture economy and will host the world-renowned Turner Prize in 2026 – the first time it has ever been hosted by a university.

Teesside University continues to look to the future with ambitions for a new medical school and expansion of its pharmacy provision, building upon the success of its health and life sciences offer across areas such as optometry, nursing and midwifery.

Being shortlisted for University of the Year recognises Teesside's position among the UK’s most forward-thinking higher education institutions, reinforcing its reputation as a university that empowers students, embraces innovation, and enriches communities.

It builds upon a series of impressive accolades in recent months, including the recent Daily Mail Modern University of the Year 2026 win which praised its ‘progressive and ambitious’ approach to education and its commitment to widening access to higher education.

Earlier this year, Teesside was also 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.

Professor Paul Croney OBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Teesside University, said: 'Being shortlisted for University of the Year is a tremendous honour and a powerful endorsement of our commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and the student experience.

'It reflects the dedication of our staff, the ambition of our students, and the strength of our partnerships with businesses, stakeholders and our local communities.

'This recognition, following our other major accolades, confirms that Teesside University is rightly regarded as one of the leading higher education institutions in the country.

'We are proud to be shaping the future of education, research, and innovation from the heart of the Tees Valley.'

The University’s continuous pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning is evidenced through its state-of the-art campus which has seen £300m worth of investment over recent years. The most recent facility, Digital Life, is a game-changing digital and technology facility to support skills development for the industries of tomorrow.

Teesside University has delivered this extensive investment in the student and learning experience whilst remaining debt-free, underlining its strong financial stability and exemplary strategic planning.

The winner of the Times Higher Education University of the Year award will be announced later this year.

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