The title recognises the outstanding performance of leading post-1992 universities. Harper was also 36th in the Times’ overall rankings of all universities, the highest ever placing for a post-1992 institution and up from 49th in 2015. The agri-specialist Shropshire site also scored a first in this week's listings by becoming the first modern college to beat prestigious 'Russell Group' universities.
Vice-Chancellor Dr David Llewellyn said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded the title of Modern University of the Year in the Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017. We have, once again, significantly improved our league table position over last year, based on a lot of hard work by our staff and students and a determined focus on the quality of the education that we provide in our academic community.
“In addition to thanking everyone at the university for their roles in this outcome, I would like to say how grateful we are to our many supporters in industry.”
Guide editor Alastair McCall said: “The distinctiveness of a Harper Adams education makes it stand out in an increasingly crowded higher education marketplace.
“This is the first year that a modern university has overtaken some of the so-called elite Russell Group institutions in our league table. They could clearly learn something from Harper Adams when it comes to creating a high-class educational establishment with engaged, dynamic students.”
A fully searchable website with full university profiles and 67 subject tables has been published at www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/gooduniversityguide for subscribers.