University of Sunderland named UK's Access to Higher Education Provider of the Year

The University of Sunderland’s work in providing access to Higher Education (HE) has been assessed as the best in the UK by the independent body which protects academic standards and improves the quality of students’ learning experience.

The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) selected Sunderland as the 2013 Access to HE Higher Education Provider of the Year after assessing the institution’s groundbreaking initiatives to engage with anyone who wants to come to university but did not get the qualifications they needed while at school.

The role of the QAA for Higher Education is to safeguard quality and standards in UK universities and colleges, so that students have the best possible learning experience.

Sunderland was awarded for its range of communications methods to engage with applicants through admissions, student recruitment and college partnerships.

Lesley Griffin, University Assistant Director of Student Recruitment, said: “This is fantastic news for the University and a credit to all the staff involved.

“We are proud of the support we offer to applicants and students to help them make informed choices, in raising the benefits a degree will give them in life and fulfilling the aspirations of anyone who wants to come to university. The Access to HE qualifications are a great way for anyone who wants to take a university level course, but did not gain the qualifications they needed while at school.”

Professor Peter Fidler, Vice Chancellor at the University of Sunderland, said: “Here at the University we know from experience the high quality of students that come to us from FE colleges and how well the Access programmes prepare students in taking that next step in gaining a degree. It really is a life-changing experience.”

Access to HE courses don’t require the applicants to have any particular previous qualifications to start, and it doesn’t matter how long since they last studied. The courses help applicants develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to prepare them for university.

The award will be presented by QAA Chief Executive Anthony McClaren to the University of Sunderland at the Access to HE Annual Conference Centre in Birmingham on June 25.