Regional boost as university lauded for student support and investment
Wrexham University has been named the Daily Mail's Welsh University of the Year 2027, an accolade that university leaders say celebrates years of investment, strengthened community partnerships and recent academic developments. The award, published in the Daily Mail’s annual University Guide, judged institutions on teaching, research, student experience and graduate outcomes.
The recognition will be seen locally as confirmation of the university’s growing role in North East Wales and the borderlands, with officials pointing to greater capacity to deliver higher education, new facilities and leadership in social inclusion as central to the win.
“Wrexham University is going places. A stellar year for the university, which has seen it gain research degree awarding powers, is capped by winning the Daily Mail award for Welsh University of the Year 2027,” said Alastair McCall, editor of the Daily Mail University Guide.
McCall highlighted several developments at the university as evidence of its transformation. Among them are the launch of the Wrexham Business School, the completion of CanfodAu — described as the university’s engineering, enterprise and optics centre — and the opening of the Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre. These, he said, illustrate “heavy investment in the teaching and learning experience” that gives students access to improved facilities.
University leaders also drew attention to the institution’s recent acquisition of research degree awarding powers, a formal step that enables it to validate and award research degrees independently. The guide said that this development, along with a focus on widening access and partnerships with regional further education providers, contributed to Wrexham’s strong showing.
What the award means for the city and region
For Wrexham — a city that has seen a resurgence of civic and cultural activity in recent years — the accolade is likely to strengthen the university’s role as an anchor institution. Local campaigners and business leaders have long argued that higher education provision is a key driver of economic opportunity, and the university’s investments in specialist facilities are intended to support local industry links.
Wrexham University’s provost and deputy vice-chancellor, Professor Paul Davies, said the award was “a tremendous moment for Wrexham University and for the region we proudly serve,” and attributed success to the dedication of staff, students and partners.
The guide also highlighted work to improve student life, noting plans for a revamped and relocated students’ union — a move that the university says will enhance the broader experience of students on campus.
- Increased local opportunity: Improved degree routes and partnerships aim to open pathways from further education to degree-level study.
- Economic impact: New centres and school initiatives may support skills development and local business collaboration.
- Student experience: Investment in facilities and campus services is designed to boost satisfaction and outcomes.
Facilities and priorities named in the guide
The university and the guide listed several tangible developments that underpinned the recognition. They point to a strategy that blends academic growth with civic engagement.
| Facility / Initiative | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Wrexham Business School | Support business-focused teaching and industry links |
| CanfodAu | Engineering, enterprise and optics centre |
| Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre | Practical, technology-driven learning environments |
| Students' union redevelopment (planned) | Enhance student experience and campus life |
Crucially for local families and prospective students, the guide praised partnerships with regional further education providers that create clearer progression routes into higher education. The university’s emphasis on social inclusion was singled out as an important strand of its mission — widening access and ensuring degree-level study is attainable for a broader section of the community.
While awards such as this are not the only measure of a university’s performance, they act as a signal to students, employers and funding bodies. For Wrexham, the recognition arrives at a time when local institutions are playing a central role in economic and social regeneration across North East Wales.
For residents watching the city’s development, the prize will be welcomed as another sign that Wrexham’s institutions are aligning more closely with regional needs and ambitions. The university says it will build on the momentum the award provides, continuing to invest in facilities and partnerships to support students and the wider community.
