Annual Report
The last six years have witnessed a step change in performance for Nottingham Trent University. When we launched our original strategic plan in 2004, we had a bold and radical vision to bring together the ideals of academia with best practice from the world of business.
Today we can look back with satisfaction on what we have achieved. We have won acclaim nationally and internationally for the speed, efficiency and professionalism with which we operate as a university. Our estate has been transformed through an ambitious regeneration programme, undergraduate demand for our courses has soared, international admissions have grown year-on-year, and our research grant and contract income has increased dramatically.
Our mission is to deliver education and research that shape lives and society. Over the last six years we have demonstrated exactly what that means through our local, national and international influence. In attracting thousands of students, we play a vital role in bolstering the local economy and enhancing Nottingham's reputation as a vibrant, cosmopolitan city. In developing high calibre graduates, we meet the needs of employers and act as a catalyst for the generation of new businesses. In realising the commercial potential of our research and forging productive links with blue-chip partners, our impact in driving economic development and innovation is felt worldwide.
We are now poised to enter a challenging new environment for higher education. The government's response to Lord Browne's review signalled sweeping changes in the way universities are financed. Public funding has always been competitive but now the sector faces unprecedented cuts to its teaching grants, which will be compensated, to some extent, by higher costs to students funded through graduate contributions. In future we will derive the majority of our teaching funding from graduate contributions and there will be severe pressures on research funding too.
The changes are controversial and the debate continues. At NTU, we have taken stock and are confident that, thanks to our flexible, responsive, business-like and cost-effective approach, we can gain a competitive advantage in this new landscape.
At a time when funding will follow students, we will draw on our acknowledged strengths: an outstanding record in student employability, excellent teaching quality and a gold standard student experience. We have become - and will remain - a university of choice for students.
We are experienced in using our research income to maximum effect, supporting not only high-performing teams but also the early career researchers who will become the next generation of talent. A dynamic research strategy has left us well placed to make our funding - and our findings - go far, delivering genuine value to society.
Professor Neil T Gorman DL
Vice-Chancellor
2010 report
View the 2010 report 
2010 Annual Report
