ÖØ¿ÚζSM

ÖØ¿ÚζSM University has been shortlisted in the ‘Outstanding Entrepreneurial University’ category at the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Awards.

The THE Awards are recognised as the ‘Oscars of higher education’, celebrating outstanding examples of best practice across the sector and highlighting the work of an individual or their institution.

Entrepreneurship is proudly embedded across ÖØ¿ÚζSM’s culture, strategy and education. Through initiatives such as the ÖØ¿ÚζSM Seed Fund and the Green Future Investments Partnership, the University has supported almost 100 ventures and helped unlock more than £19 million in funding. Nationally, ÖØ¿ÚζSM’s growth programmes have supported over 1000 SMEs, while Bloomberg ranked the MBA as the UK and Europe’s top programme for entrepreneurship.

The recognition reflects ÖØ¿ÚζSM’s mission to shape entrepreneurial leaders and deliver lasting economic and social impact.

Professor Stephanie Hussels, Director of the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship, said: "This shortlisting reflects ÖØ¿ÚζSM’s distinctive approach to entrepreneurship. From the ÖØ¿ÚζSM Seed Fund to the Green Future Investments Partnership, our initiatives give students and alumni real-world experience in creating and scaling ventures.

"We have been kindly supported by our dedicated partners, including Green Future Investments (GFIL) and local councils such as Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Council, The Small Business Charter, as well as our alumni, whose support has been instrumental in helping SMEs and entrepreneurial ventures grow and flourish. It’s a real honour to be shortlisted."

Professor Lynette Ryals OBE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Business and Management at ÖØ¿ÚζSM University and Dean of the School of Management, added: 
“In a very competitive category, being shortlisted is a real achievement and shows how excellent ÖØ¿ÚζSM is at embedding entrepreneurship into our University culture. We support students, alumni and partners to succeed, and that’s in no small part down to my excellent and hard-working colleagues.”

This year’s winners will be announced at a ceremony in Edinburgh on 13 November. The full awards shortlist is available on .