Harper Adams University wins top score for sports and clubs

Harper Adams University, in Edgmond, near Newport, has been named as one of the top 12 rated universities for sports and is in the top six for a variety of student union activities in Which? University's third annual student survey.

It is the second year running Harper Adams has been included in the sports category.

Andy Jefferies, the university's support officer for sports, societies and participation, said: "It is great to hear that we've been rated so highly again.

"All the extra-curricular activities at Harper Adams, from our highly successful rugby and shooting teams right down to our less mainstream clubs such as ballet and modern dance, are all given the same support and infrastructure to succeed.

"The club executives are given training to help them run their clubs and the university and students union help to fund their efforts, support their work-sport balance and reward their successes.

"We are all hugely proud of the sporting opportunities and successes here and believe that our students bring the Harper spirit to every sport they engage in."

The Which? University student survey does not rank its best and worst scoring universities in order but instead lists the universities that are in the highest and lowest scoring groups.

To determine ratings, the consumer group asked if sport was a large part of university life, with a wide range of organised sports teams, clubs and facilities open to all levels.

To find the top universities for varied student union activities, Which? asked how varied a range of activities the student union offers, catering to lots of different student interests, including well-attended student nights, and societies and clubs.

Student research firm YouthSight, on behalf of Which?, interviewed 4,519 students in their second year or above, online during October. The data was merged with the previous year's survey, which interviewed 8,053 students in their first year or above, online between July and August 2013. Students who were surveyed in 2013 were not surveyed again this year.

The accolade comes after Harper Adams won a national award recognising the work of its combined hospitality teams.

The university was named best initiative to improve customer service in 2014 at the Venuemasters annual conference, for its bid to gain hospitality assured accreditation, which it successfully achieved in October.