What do you love about your small university? Shortlist and winner revealed

What small universities lack in sheer size of their student body, they certainly make up for in the pride and passion of their students. 

After the Times Higher Education announced the top 20 world's best universities 2016, students, staff and alumni sent in their own experiences and reasons why they love being at a tiny institution.

@THEUniAdvice @timeshighered #tinyversity The student-teacher ratio at a small school allows for better mentoring and personalized help.

— Tricia Richards (@drtprs) January 25, 2016

@THEUniAdvice #tinyversity you get to learn alot of things,not academic staff only,thus u gain both sides #LifeinGeneral &#AcademicWise

— Dainty Girly (@GaudyGee) January 27, 2016

@timeshighered @UniNorthants small enough to care, innovates to effect social change & differentiates students #tinyversity @nick_petford

— Supply Chain Mind (@LiamFassam) January 26, 2016

@THEUniAdvice Not only learning but get more experience&relations of socializing in our small community we live #tinyversity @timeshighered

— Hosam ElRakayby (@hosamelrakayby) January 26, 2016

The shortlist

The following five tweets were shortlisted for providing interesting insight into why the experience at a small university is so valuable  for some students:

I love being a student @postech2020 as it feels like being at home and all members are 1 family we know each other's v well #tinyversity

— Hosam ElRakayby (@hosamelrakayby) January 25, 2016

#tinyversity your lecturers know you by name, genuinely take an interest in your life, get a good grasp of you as a person &how to help you

— Ellieeee (@clegg_el) January 27, 2016

@THEUniAdvice #tinyversity I get to know my lecturers as friends, I had a seminar with just me, my lecturer and two others last week!

— Hol (@Hollycatxx) January 27, 2016

@THEUniAdvice #tinyversity we are like one big family,the humanity in all the students and lectures is on another level,super perfect!!

— Dainty Girly (@GaudyGee) January 27, 2016

You can't get lost in the crowd in my #tinyversity. That's super important if you're from an overcrowded city like Istanbul. @timeshighered

— Umut Gencay Zorlu (@yucized) January 26, 2016

The winner

The Times Higher Education's editorial team voted Umut Gencay Zorlu as the winner of the #tinyversity competition. It was particularly interesting to hear how the intimacy of Sabanci University in Istanbul contrasted with Umut's experience elsewhere in the busy city.

You can't get lost in the crowd in my #tinyversity. That's super important if you're from an overcrowded city like Istanbul. @timeshighered

— Umut Gencay Zorlu (@yucized) January 26, 2016

An iPad mini will be on its way to Turkey soon.