NEWPORT'S university was awarded top marks in a national assessment of higher education.

The University of Wales, Newport was one of the first in Wales to be assessed by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

The QAA carries out reviews and audits of the academic performance of institutions to ensure sound standards of higher education qualifications.

At Newport University the QAA review found that: "broad confidence can be placed in the soundness of the institution's current and likely future management of the quality of its academic programmes and the academic standards of its awards".

One area highlighted for good practice was the university's student mentor scheme, where all students have access to mentors, who are also students. The scheme provides support for students in the first crucial weeks at university and in the following terms. Professor James Lusty, vice-chancellor of the University of Wales, Newport, said: "This assessment is the culmination of a good deal of work over the past few years to ensure that the academic standards offered by the university are the highest possible.

"In order to attain a broad confidence rating, we had to demonstrate that our standards weren't high just in one area but in all areas."

The success of the QAA review comes at a time when the university is enjoying the highest increase in the UK for full- time undergraduate applications.