Recognising student impact
The University of Portsmouth 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
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.
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.
Placement Impact Award
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.
Rising Star Impact Award
Recognising 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.
Degree Apprenticeship Impact Award
Recognising 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.
Sustainability Impact Award
Honouring 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.
Health and Wellbeing Impact Award
Celebrating individuals, teams or organisations that have made a significant contribution to promoting physical and/or mental health, wellness, and overall wellbeing within our community.
Global Impact Award
Recognising an individual, team or group that has significantly internationalised their student experience, enhanced their global or cultural outlook, and represented the University of Portsmouth abroad.
Nominees have made meaningful contributions to fostering global connections, cross-cultural understanding, and international collaboration.
Diversity Impact Award
Celebrating exceptional initiatives that promote equality, inclusivity and diversity in Portsmouth.
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.
Research Impact Award
Recognising 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.
Entrepreneurial Impact Award
Celebrating the enterprising spirit of University students and alumni who have launched successful new businesses within the past five years.
Alumni Impact Award
Acknowledging alumni of the University who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation or service in their field.
Student Achievement Impact Award
Celebrating 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.
Vice Chancellor’s Civic Impact Award
This person is a leading example of a person or group who made a significant positive difference in the community.
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.
Shortlisted students receive a digital certificate.
Make a nomination
Any current University of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth Graduate that the University aims to nurture and develop among our students.