Why Teesside University, our HE Partner of the Year, impressed the judges

Through their blend of academic rigour and real-world execution, higher education establishments have a vital role to play in helping leaders navigate the complexities of the modern working world, whether that’s AI integration, ESG or hybrid workforces.

Our HE Partner of the Year Award celebrates those institutions that deliver exceptional outcomes through their partnership with CMI – inspiring people to become skilled, confident and successful leaders, even in challenging circumstances. 

This year, we were delighted to hand the award to Teesside University, which stood out for its innovative embedding of professional development, leadership capability and employability skills into the student journey.

“Outstanding outcomes”

In its award entry, the Teesside team provided robust evidence of why the university is an engine of opportunity and social mobility, explaining how it serves its communities and acts as a vital anchor institution within the Tees Valley. Its impact certainly isn’t going unnoticed: it also won University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2025 and was named Daily Mail Modern University of the Year 2026. It has a triple Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework and was rated Outstanding by Ofsted for its apprenticeships. 

The CMI judges praised Teesside for its incredibly strong commitment to innovation, notably how it’s extending its reach with the launch of global leadership programmes and a hybrid delivery model. They also highlighted its “outstanding outcomes”, including a 92% distinction rate in healthcare apprenticeships and 100% End Point Assessment pass rate, while noting that Teesside’s reputation for impact is so strong that recruitment for its health programmes is driven entirely by word-of-mouth.

Proud partnership

CMI accredits courses and professional apprenticeships within the Teesside University International Business School, its School of Health & Life Sciences and its School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Law. This provision supports learners to develop into senior roles across sectors such as healthcare, finance and the creative industries.