Recognising student impact
The ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú Student Impact Awards recognise the achievements of our students and their contributions to our city and wider region.
Our students make countless positive contributions to society every year and these awards, organised by the University and the Students’ Union, are just one way for us to celebrate them.
Students can be nominated for their contributions as an individual or as part of a club or society, and for activities related to their studies or extracurricular activities. This could be volunteering, fundraising, or starting a new business — or contributing to live businesses as a placement student, graduate employee, or through a project.
Award categories
These awards highlight different forms of civic contribution to celebrate the diverse ways students positively impact their communities and beyond.
Volunteering Impact Award
Nominations open to current students
The Volunteering Impact Award celebrates students who have made a tangible difference through voluntary activity.
Nominees have fostered positive change, inspiring others to participate in social responsibility and civic action.
The recipient of this award has gone above and beyond in using their time, skills and resources to create a meaningful and lasting impact through volunteering. Whether by working on community initiatives, offering mentorship, or supporting underrepresented groups, this individual embodies the spirit of giving back.
Arts and Culture Impact Award
Nominations open to current students
The Arts and Culture Impact Award honours a student or group whose creative contributions have made a deep impact on the cultural landscape of our local community.
This award celebrates the power of the arts to build community, promote inclusion, and celebrate shared heritage. Nominees may have used the power of the arts to foster connection, enrich lives or promote cultural diversity.
The recipient of this award has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing the cultural fabric of the community, creating spaces for creative expression, and inspiring others to engage in and appreciate the arts.
Placement Impact Award
Nominations open to current students
Recognising students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, initiative and contribution during their work placement or internship. Nominees have gone above and beyond in applying academic knowledge to real-world challenges, while making a meaningful impact in the workplace.
The Placement Student Impact Award recognises students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, initiative and contribution during their work placement or internship.
Nominees have gone above and beyond in applying academic knowledge to real-world challenges, while making a meaningful impact in the workplace.
Whether through innovation, problem-solving, teamwork or leadership, the recipient of this award has shown remarkable professionalism and contributed significantly to the success of the organisation or project they were involved in.
Rising Star Impact Award
Nominations open to new graduates (within their first year of employment)
The Rising Star Impact Award recognises outstanding new graduates who have made a significant and positive contribution during their first year of employment. Nominees have demonstrated exceptional potential, work ethic and dedication as they transition from academia to the professional world.
The recipient of this award quickly established themselves as a valuable asset to their team or organisation, showing initiative, innovation and a commitment to excellence.
Whether through fresh perspectives, leadership, or a drive to improve processes and outcomes, they have had a transformative influence, inspiring both peers and employers.
Degree Apprenticeship Impact Award
Nominations open to current students
he Degree Apprentice Impact Award recognises degree apprentices who have made significant and lasting contributions to their business over the past year. Nominees have effectively balanced the demands of higher education with their professional responsibilities, demonstrating exceptional skill, initiative, and commitment to their organisation.
The recipient of this award has shown the ability to apply academic learning to real-world challenges, bringing fresh insights and creative solutions to their workplace. Whether through leadership, innovation, or dedication to improving processes, they’ve had a positive and tangible impact, while growing as both a learner and a professional.
Sustainability Impact Award
Nominations open to both current students and graduates
The Sustainability Impact Award honours individuals, teams or groups whose efforts have made a meaningful and positive impact on environmental sustainability, both locally and beyond.
Nominees have demonstrated a deep commitment to preserving and protecting the planet through innovative solutions, practices, and initiatives that promote sustainability.
Whether through reducing waste, conserving resources, advocating for environmental policies, or developing sustainable business models, the recipient of this award has played a key role in advancing sustainability goals and inspiring others to take action.
Health and Wellbeing Impact Award
Nominations open to both current students and graduates
The Health and Wellbeing Impact Award celebrates individuals, teams or organisations that have made a significant contribution to promoting physical and/or mental health, wellness, and overall wellbeing within our community. Nominees have gone above and beyond to support the health of others — whether through innovative wellness programmes, mental health initiatives, fitness advocacy, or fostering environments that prioritise the well-being of individuals.
The recipient of this award has demonstrated a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life for others, creating lasting positive change, and empowering individuals to take charge of their own health and wellness.
Global Impact Award
Nominations open to both current students and graduates
The Global Impact Award recognises an individual, team or group that has significantly internationalised their student experience, enhanced their global or cultural outlook, and represented the ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú abroad.
Nominees have made meaningful contributions to fostering global connections, cross-cultural understanding, and international collaboration.
Whether through study abroad programmes, global research initiatives, international internships, or cultural exchange efforts, the recipient(s) have demonstrated a commitment to broadening their horizons and contributing to the global community. Bringing global perspectives back to our campus, enriching the student experience for all.
Diversity Impact Award
Nominations open to both current students and graduates
The Diversity Impact Award celebrates exceptional initiatives that promote equality, inclusivity and diversity in ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú.
Nominees are individuals or organisations that have made a significant impact in fostering a more inclusive community, raising awareness of diversity issues, and championing the principles of equality for all.
Whether through advocacy, education or community engagement, the efforts of the recipient(s) have inspired positive change and promoted a culture of respect and acceptance.
Research Impact Award
Nominations open to both current students and graduates
The Research Impact Award recognises outstanding research by students that has made, or holds the promise of making, a meaningful contribution to society. Nominees have developed innovative projects that address real-world challenges, drive social progress, or enhance the well-being of communities.
The recipient’s research goes beyond academic excellence to create tangible benefits, inspire change, and positively impact the world around us.
Entrepreneurial Impact Award
Nominations open to both current students and graduates
The Entrepreneurial Impact Award celebrates the enterprising spirit of University students and alumni who have launched successful new businesses within the past five years.
Nominees are recognised for going on a creative and entrepreneurial journey while contributing positively to the economic and social fabric of ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú and the surrounding region.
Through innovation, resilience and impact, the recipient demonstrates the transformative power of entrepreneurship in inspiring others, driving local progress and boosting community wellbeing.
Alumni Impact Award
Open to graduates
The Alumni Impact Award celebrates alumni of the University who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation or service in their field.
Nominees have made meaningful contributions that inspire positive change and reflect the values of the University. The recipient is a distinguished alum who has made a remarkable impact on their community, either locally, nationally, or internationally.
Whether through professional achievements, social initiatives, or advocacy, this award recognises the enduring influence of our alumni on the world around them.
Student Achievement Impact Award
Open to current students
The Student Achievement Impact Award celebrates the exceptional achievements of a student or group of students in any field.
Nominees may have made outstanding contributions to academia, community service, leadership, innovation, or other areas.
The recipient(s) have demonstrated excellence, making a significant impact on the ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú and the wider community.
Vice Chancellor’s Civic Impact Award
The winner of this award is chosen by the panel from the other 13 categories, as a leading example of a person or group who made a significant positive difference in the community.
Whoever wins this award, the panel will need to choose an alternative winner for the category in which they were originally nominated, as a student cannot win more than one award.
Student Impact Awards Evening
Shortlisting
Nominees will be shortlisted in each award category after nominations close.
Shortlisted nominees will then be invited to the Student Impact Awards Evening with a guest.
Judging
Each category will have a winner and a runner-up selected by the review panel and announced at the Awards Evening.
The panel is made up of members from the University Executive Board, Students' Union Executives, regional dignitaries and academic colleagues.
Prizes
Award winners receive a commemorative trophy, with winners and runners-up receiving printed certificates.
Make a nomination
Any current ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú student can be nominated for the Student Impact Awards, either as an individual or as a member of a group. Graduates can be nominated for specific awards.
You can submit a nomination if you are a student employer, voluntary organisation, member of staff, or student with us. Students can self-nominate. Nominees may be individuals or, in some cases, groups.
Students could be nominated for an activity that is a part of their studies, or for something they have done as an extracurricular activity. If the nomination is related to their course, the activity should demonstrate how they have gone beyond the expectations and requirements of their studies.
*Please note that travel and expenses will not be reimbursed for this activity.*
Nominations will open in January 2025.
Your nomination should:
- Highlight the best award for your nominee. Choose the most fitting category by reading the award descriptions above.
- Include clear evidence that your nominee meets the award criteria. We’ll shortlist nominees using only the information that you provide, regardless of any existing knowledge the panel has of the student, team or project.
- Demonstrate the positive impact your nominee or team has had outside of the University while studying with us. This may be an impact on the city, region, UK or overseas and can be a one-off or ongoing activity.
- Provide as much detail as you can to evidence the impact and reach of the activities of the nominee.
To nominate more than one nominee, or to nominate someone for more than one category, you need to submit the form separately for each nomination and include detail about how each nomination differs.
What are we looking for?
The specific criteria for each award are listed above. When reviewing nominations, judges will look for evidence of how the nominated students have fulfilled those criteria
The judges will also be looking for evidence of how the nominees have used or developed the Hallmarks of a ºÚÁÏÈë¿Ú Graduate that the University aims to nurture and develop among our students.