The University of Sheffield has scooped the top prize of University of the Year at this year¡¯s Times Higher Education Awards.

Announced as the winner at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane, London, last night, the judges said Sheffield had stood out as a result of a strategy ¡°based on its values and rooted on its founding principles¡±. In particular, they praised the institution¡¯s ¡°determination and grit¡± in focusing on its local community.

Other winners included the University of Derby, which took two awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community and Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative, and Coventry University, which won the title of Entrepreneurial University of the Year and shared the Outstanding Support for Students award with Loughborough University.

The event also honoured Tessa Blackstone, who recently retired as vice-chancellor of the University of Greenwich, with the Lord Dearing Lifetime Achievement Award.

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In the citation for her award, Baroness Blackstone, a former education minister, is described as ¡°unique in higher education¡± for her roles in academia, politics and academic leadership.

Ann Mroz, editor of THE, said: ¡°It has not been an easy year for higher education. Yet even in these challenging times, these awards demonstrate that our universities continue to create, innovate and excel at what they do. The UK¡¯s higher education sector truly is one of this country¡¯s best exports.¡±

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sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com

• A gallery of pictures from the evening can be found