BRUNEL students past and present are delighted it is shortlisted for the University of the Year in The Times Higher Education Awards.

It is also nominated for Best Business School and for Outstanding Student Support.

In the National Student Survey last year, it climbed 78 places through initiatives working with students and their student union.

Students president Promise Phillips says it deserves the title because Brunel has invested across its entire portfolio, including teaching, research and student services.

“My university experience has been wonderful,” he said. “I came to Brunel four years ago with no confidence in my heart at all. I could barely engage in conversation with another student because of insecurities and fears.

“The friendly nature in Brunel has transformed me into a leader who can articulate properly what a good university should look like and how to bring the best out of any student.”

Brunel is the most improved institution in the UK, according to the league tables, and former students have noticed this.

Ravil Hirani, 2009 graduate, said: “Newly-built student halls, new buildings, upgrade of the library and computer systems have bought it up to date.”

This year’s graduate Jaymini Lakhani 22, said: “I loved my uni and the years I spent there. Brunel deserves to be nominated as it has many good aspects, one of the main ones being its sporting facilities and sports societies.”

Brunel is competing with Exeter, Nottingham, Plymouth, Strathclyde and Sunderland for the title.

The winners will be announced at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on November 29.