As we come to the end of 2023, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the last year and all that we have achieved at the University of Roehampton. We celebrate and say thank you to our students, colleagues, alumni, partners, and our wider community. Here are just a few of the highlights from the last 12 months.
Teaching excellence
In September we were awarded with TEF Silver. This well-deserved recognition really is testament to the hard work and dedication of our community.
In the National Student Survey (NSS), we scored 100% for satisfaction and were number 1 in the UK for our Mental Health Nursing placement provision. Again in the NSS, we were above the sector for student satisfaction with assessment and feedback, and we were top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student satisfaction in the PTES, for the second year running.
We were delighted to become the only large institution, with over 600 trainees, to secure an “Outstanding” ranking in the primary age phase under the current Ofsted inspection framework.
Congratulations to all our staff who have worked so hard to achieve these results.
Growth
The University has continued to grow in 2023. The latest official data of national university enrolments (HESA) showed that the University is the second fastest growing university in London over the last three years of official student enrolment data, and one of the fastest in the UK.
We continued to grow over the last year. This includes the largest intake of new on campus students in the academic year 2022/23 and the biggest intake the University has had in Study Abroad students, who with their other international colleagues contribute to the richness of our community.
In terms of Initial Teaching Education, we are the 10th largest provider in the UK. We are the largest School Direct provider in London and, nationally, we are the 4th largest trainer of Drama teachers, the 7th largest trainer of Computing teachers, and the 9th largest trainer of Art and Design teachers.
Skills for the future
We launched a range of new programmes in 2023, including Cyber Security which is one of only 11 programmes nationally to be accredited by the National Cyber Security Centre.
At the end of 2022, we announced our groundbreaking Sustainable Engineering and Technology Education Centre (SETEC), supported by an almost £6 million grant from the Office for Students. This year, we’ve seen the launch of an exciting new range of programmes in engineering and the built environment, with sustainability at their core.
Research success
2022/23 was our best ever year for grant capture, achieving nearly £11m overall, and £4.6m for Research and Knowledge Exchange. Many congratulations to all colleagues involved in this work!
The University won Collaborators of the Year at the Big South London Awards in November.
Work developed by Roehampton researchers has influenced health and wellbeing practice on national and international levels. This has included work into de-medicalisation and reduced antidepressant prescribing, the effects of increasing temperatures on human behaviour, and the management of Coeliac disease.
Our researchers continued to raise awareness and promote wider discussions on key issues of our day, through creative and cultural contributions. Areas of focus in 2023 have included the climate emergency and the impact of media representations of and social biases towards ageing, particularly relating to women.
In November we launched a new Regional Growth voucher scheme. This is a fantastic opportunity for South London businesses and charities to grow through close collaboration with Roehampton experts.
Our brilliant students
This year we set a record with over 2,500 students crossing the stage at graduation in January and September. We can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve.
The Students’ Union launched Student Radio Roehampton which operates as a 24/7 internet radio station run by students from a state-of-the-art on campus sound studio.
Third Year Film and Drama, Theatre and Performance Student, Mya Onwugbonu was awarded Best Director in The Black British Theatre Awards 2023.
Student sporting and esports success
Our Squash team enjoyed huge success on court at the BUCS Squash Individuals in December. The Women’s A Grade final was an all Roehampton affair, with Satomi Watanabe reaching the final alongside Rana Ismail, both beating a number of strong opponents in the run up. Satomi came out on top in the final, winning 3-0. In the B grade event, Ayumi Watanabe dropped only 1 game in the entire tournament, winning the final 3-1.
In esports, the University continues to build its excellent reputation. The Roe Gold Rocket League team won the National Student Esports (NSE) title, as well as the National University Esports League (NUEL) title in the Winter Split. Roe Black (2nd team) came 4th and 2nd in these competitions, demonstrating great strength in depth at Roehampton for Rocket League. Roe Gold also had an excellent run in the European Championship, beating the world champions and finishing second overall. The team are hoping to compete in the World Championships in 2024. The University’s esports society remains one of the most popular in the university.
Third year BA Sports Management student Joshua Mason drove for PHM Racing in the FIA Formula 2 World Championships. Josh competed in the final 4 rounds of the season, driving in Spa, Zandvoort, Monza and the season-finale in Abu Dhabi. Josh worked alongside Dr Chris Tyler in Life and Health Sciences, in the heat acclimation chamber, to prepare for the challenging conditions of the Yas Marina circuit.
And our fantastic alumni
Chukwuemeka Nwagu (Ministerial Theology , 2016) received the Chancellor’s Alumni Award following his fantastic rise as founder Chuchu Nwagu Productions. He was a co-producer on the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman and achieved a place in The Stage’s 100 Rising Stars for 2023.
Media producer and broadcaster, Jasmine Dotiwala (Dance, Media, and Communications, 1992) was recognised in April 2023 at the Educator Awards for her exceptional work in promoting diversity and inclusion to young people. Jasmine began her career at Channel 4 and is now in the UK editorial team at Netflix.
Roehampton Computer Science student Summer Link was selected for the prestigious National Student Epsorts 2023 Intel FutureGen programme. The University Rocket League team competed across national and European tournaments and are ranked one of the strongest university teams in the country.
Dr Rachel Knightley (English Literature, 2005) has returned to Roehampton as a Visiting Lecturer in Creative Writing and recently launched her latest book, “Twisted Branches,” a captivating collection of short stories.
Environmental sustainability
For the 2022/23 academic year, we achieved the target we set in 2019 to reduce our scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions per m2 by 25%, two years earlier than our target of 2025.
Josh Appignanesi, a Senior Lecturer in Film within our School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, was invited to show his climate action documentary, ‘My Extinction,’ at the COP28 Climate Conference in Dubai.
2023 marked Growhampton’s 10th anniversary, which provided an opportunity to reflect on the fantastic achievements made by the project. The milestone was celebrated with a week of events. This year alone, Growhampton has had nearly 200 students, staff and local residents, as well as schools and community groups, come and volunteer with the project. This has helped to grow 600kg of produce for our campus community, providing them with locally-grown, sustainable and affordable food.
Events
Our new Chancellor, Baroness Sandip Verma
In May, we celebrated the investiture of our new Chancellor – Baroness Sandip Verma. She is an inspirational role model for our students and we are delighted to have her as an ambassador for the University. Baroness Verma was formerly Ministerial Champion for Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Overseas. She chairs the UN Women’s national committee for UK.
Pride in London
In July, we were part of the Pride in London Parade for the first time – students, staff and alumni had a fantastic day, and were joined by local MP, Fleur Anderson.
Bloomberg Trading Room
March saw the official opening of our Bloomberg Trading Room, sponsored by Pemberton Asset Management. The room brings the real world of finance into the classroom.
Wimbledon BookFest
We held a brand new event with our partner Wimbledon BookFest on our campus in May. Held on Froebel Lawn, and with sessions across the university, we welcomed Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, journalist Alistair Campbell, and a range of other speakers to an event attended by 600 local sixth form and college students.
Peace Pole
In November, a Peace Pole was planted on campus, at Southlands College. The Peace Pole is one of 250,000 worldwide and is a symbol of harmony, love and unity.
2024: our 20th anniversary year
In 2024, the University of Roehampton will celebrate its 20th anniversary and we will be launching a significant programme to mark the occasion. This will include ‘The Wandsworth 1000’, which will provide 1000 training opportunities free at the point of delivery to residents and employees in the Borough.
We’re excited to see what the year will bring!