Awarded to the institution whose senior team demonstrates the greatest breadth and depth of leadership and management skills. Judges look for creative management across the institution, anticipation of change in higher education, and work that improves on standard sector practice. Recognition is institutional, not departmental.
Awarded for outstanding success in building institutional partnerships, overseas operations, and a strategic approach to international staff and student recruitment. Judges seek evidence of how the strategy has enhanced the university's profile and delivered on its ambitions, including financial measures.
Recognises the academic whose imagination and passion have transformed a course and inspired students. Student testimonies are required. Judges look for exceptional engagement with students, sustained commitment to the student experience, and impact that extends beyond the classroom.
For institutions demonstrating clear leadership on environmental issues through innovative approaches. Entries may focus on institutional initiatives, sector-level initiatives, or collaborations with governments and agencies. Judges look for evidence that the work is transferable across the sector.
For the team or institution that has made the most impactful attempt to aid the wider community socially, culturally, or economically. Judges seek evidence of demonstrable progress, a clear challenge-and-response narrative, and tangible difference to the target community.
Awarded to institutions helping students gain maximum benefit from their study, across both pastoral and academic support. Judges look for distinctive context, innovative and effective approaches, measurable improvement in student outcomes, and reception by student bodies.
For innovative AHSS research with far-reaching impact that has caught, or has the potential to catch, the imagination of the public. Submissions should demonstrate economic, social, cultural, or other public benefit. Judges look for significant or novel results, creative collaborations, and imaginative communication of research.
For innovative STEM research with far-reaching impact that has caught, or has the potential to catch, the imagination of the public. Submissions should demonstrate economic, social, cultural, or other public benefit. Judges look for significant or novel results, creative collaborations, and imaginative communication of research.
Recognises a teaching and learning strategy that is distinctive, innovative, and reflects an institution's core values. Judges look for use of new technology, an environment where teaching is highly valued, recognition and reward systems for innovative teaching, and how the strategy dovetails with the university's overall plan.
Recognises innovative use of digital technology to improve any university function: leadership, management, administration, teaching, research, or knowledge transfer. Judges look for demonstrable savings in cost or time, improved performance, and whether the innovation is scalable and could be replicated elsewhere.