Prizes boost profile

The international student support team at the University of Central Lancashire has expanded its work since winning a Times Higher award.

UCLan received the award for Outstanding Support for Overseas Students last year in recognition of its investment in language and culture programmes for international students.

More than 100 different nationalities are represented among UCLan's international and domestic student body. Angela Murphy, pro vice-chancellor for international affairs, said: "The university was delighted to accept the award, which acknowledged the work of our China-based languages team and that of the department of languages and international studies. It also recognised the work we do in China."

Isabel Donnelly, principal lecturer in English language teaching within the university's department of languages and international studies, said: " The Times Higher award has motivated the team enormously, culminating in the extension of the language project to other cities in China and programmes in Greece.

"We have redesigned our International Foundation Programme, written new online and classroom-based modules in English for law, English for art, fashion and design, with plans to extend this linguistic and cultural training provision to other subject areas in 2008."

This year's award for Outstanding Support for Overseas Students will be chosen through a poll. Go to www.thes.co.uk/ awards/2007 for details.

Loughborough University won last year's award for Best Student Experience.

Neil Halliwell, deputy vice-chancellor, said: "We were delighted to receive The Times Higher award for the UK's best student experience, particularly as it was the only one to be voted for by students.

"It is testimony to the hard work and enthusiasm of all our staff at Loughborough and the excellent working relationship we enjoy with the student union.

"The award has featured prominently in the university's marketing and PR activity this year. We see it as confirmation of the all-round quality of Loughborough University's offering to students."