SU Awards
Our opportunity to celebrate all the wonderful things you do.
SU Awards
The SU Awards celebrate those members of the University community who go above and beyond to make student life that little bit easier. This could be the lecturer who teaches that topic with so much enthusiasm, the cleaner who always gives you a smile in the mornings or the society that you can always rely on to get a break from the workshops and just have fun with fellow students.
Each year there are two categories, the Clubs and Society Awards and The Excellence Awards. Both of these categories have awards that represent the whole student experience.
In 2025 over 700 submissions were anonymised and shortlisted by an independent panel of students and staff! The shortlist was announced in May and over 100 students and staff attended our awards evening in June to celebrate.
We are thrilled to open nominations for the SU Awards 2026, and can't wait to start reading your stories!
Nominations are Open!
Nominating someone for an award is a really great way to show recognition or gratitude! Simply follow the steps below to get started:
- Read the nomination criteria and descriptions carefully.
- Complete the nomination form for each person or award you want to nominate. Our awards form is split by our two main categories:
- We encourage you to use examples in your nomination and to provide as much detail as you can. AI generated nominations will be rejected.
That's it! Students can submit as many nominations as they like - get in touch with studentsunion@law.ac.uk if you have any questions.
Awards Nominations Close on Mon 16th March.
More about each award
Use the dropdown below to read the criteria and description for each award. Remember each nomination you submit should be tailored to the award description for the best chances of being shortlisted to win.
Clubs and Societies Awards
Club of the Year
Eligibility: Any registered sports clubs. A club is defined as any group whose purpose and main activities relate to physical activity. For example, table tennis, running, dance, basketball, football, etc
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award is presented to the club that exceeds expectations in terms of its own development and the provision of opportunities and support to its members. This award recognises the contribution of a society to the student community and to the Students’ Union.
Community Impact Award
Eligibility: Any registered club or society
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award will be given to the student group that has exceeded both normal expectations, and the standards of other applicants, in its efforts to improve the local or wider community, including the University community. They may have collaborated with other clubs and societies, either at ULaw or at other universities, or have joined with staff at the university to create networks and hold joint events.
Event of the Year
Eligibility: Any registered club or society
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award is presented to a society or club that has hosted a highly successful event. Whether it’s an amazing speaker, a great social, a spectacular performance or a sports event, the best event deserves recognition. ‘Success’ can be shown in a variety of ways, from levels of attendance to positive feedback or proven impact.
Outstanding Contribution to Clubs and Societies
Eligibility: Any registered club or society
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award can be awarded to any member of a society or club who has shown dedication, enthusiasm and commitment. This does not have to be a committee member - it can be anyone who improves the group and the way it works. You can apply for this award for yourself or nominate a member of your society or club.
Outstanding Contribution to Change-making
Eligibility: Any registered club or society or an individual registered as a club or society member
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award is presented to a group or individual who has been involved in making change in their community, through the activities of their club or society. This could be through awareness campaigns, student partnership, providing feedback to the university to make change, or contributing to activities which bring about positive change.
Most Inclusive Community
Eligibility: Any registered club or society
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award is presented to a group who actively invites members from across their community and is inclusive to all. Nominations should include examples of occasions where the group has gone above and beyond to provide an inclusive space.
Society of the Year
Eligibility: Any registered society. A society is defined as any academic or social / hobby group which doesn’t have physical activity as its core purpose. For example, debating and mooting, programme / course based groups, religion-based groups, board game societies, hobby groups, charity groups and liberation networks.
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award is presented to the society that exceeds expectations in terms of its own development and the provision of opportunities and support to its members. This award recognises the contribution of a society to the student community and to the Students’ Union.
The Excellence Awards - Student Awards
Class Representative of the Year
Eligibility: Anyone appointed to be a Class Rep in the 2025-2026 academic year. Class Reps must have completed their online training to be eligible.
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award recognises a Class Rep who has been consistently active throughout the year. They effectively voice the opinions of all students in their class, regularly attend SSLCs, provide detailed reports and demonstrate great organisational and interpersonal skills. Nominations should show examples of one or more of the criteria above.
Student Representative of the Year
Eligibility: This award is open to Student Parliament members only: Vice-Presidents, Programme Reps, Equalities Officers and International Student Reps.
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This is awarded to an individual who has had a clear and tangible impact on their group, project or cause. They will have been willing to get involved in a range of events, activities or campaigns. They will have shown a high level of commitment and be a positive role model. Nominations should show examples of one or more of the criteria above.
Leading Inclusivity Award (Students)
Eligibility: All students
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award recognises a student who upholds and champions equal opportunities for all, regardless of their background or current situation. They work towards ensuring inclusivity and equality for under-represented groups and help to raise awareness or create change through events, campaigns or other activities. They demonstrate commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and show commitment to the improving their community; whether that be at university, the local community or a specific group of people.
Extra-Curricular Excellence Award (Undergraduate & Postgraduate)
Eligibility: All students
Prize: Up to £250
Award kindly sponsored by: Employability
This award recognises individuals who have made additional achievements in activities outside of their academic studies. This could be relating to sports or other hobbies, in setting up their own business or community group, or another area that sits outside of academic achievement. This person will be committed to their chosen activity and have achieved success through continued hard work, determination and commitment. The shortlisting panel will look at how the nominations display all of these criteria, as well as reflection on lessons learnt from any self-nominations.
Volunteering Award (Undergraduate & Postgraduate)
Eligibility: All students
Prize: Up to £250
Award kindly sponsored by: Widening Participation (UG), Employability (PG).
This award recognises students who undertake volunteering activities and dedicate time to good causes outside of their studies, including within the SU. The award is presented to individuals who have had a clear and tangible impact by volunteering their time or raising significant funds for a group, project or cause. They will have shown a high level of commitment and be a positive and supportive role model. The shortlisting panel recognise that volunteering is a privilege which may not be available to everyone. Self-nominations should show reflection of the things you have learnt from that experience, rather than the quantity of volunteering hours. All nominations should focus on the impact that person has had on their chosen cause.
Significant Achievement Award (Undergraduate & Postgraduate)
Eligibility: All students
Prize: Up to £250
Award kindly sponsored by: Widening Participation
The Significant Achievement Award recognises individuals for achievements made alongside other difficult circumstances. These achievements could be relating to academic success, or external achievements which students have made whilst overcoming personal difficulties such as illness, caring responsibilities or situations beyond their control. The shortlisting panel will focus upon how the nominator has articulated a student’s journey from the time the challenge occurred to the time they achieved their personal goals and looking at the ways in which a student overcame their challenge(s). If you are nominating someone else in this category, please do make sure that they are comfortable with you sharing any personal or sensitive information with the judging panel.
The Presidents’ Award - Student
Eligibility: Not open for nominations
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
Each year, the elected sabbatical officers choose one staff member and one student to receive The Presidents’ Award. The winners will be individuals who have significantly supported them, and/or the Students’ Union, throughout the past academic year.
The Excellence Awards - Staff Awards
Creative Teaching Award
Eligibility: Any member of staff who teaches in any capacity, including Visiting Lecturers and Employability Coaches
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This member of staff uses creative and innovative ways to engage students with their learning. Their use of technology, resources or ways in which they extend learning beyond the classroom helps you further engage and enjoy the subject matter, as well as improve your understanding. Nominations should clearly explain the ways in which the teaching is creative, and the impact that has on the class or on you as an individual.
Customer Service Excellence Award
Eligibility: Any member of staff in the university, including those who are sub-contracted to the university
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award is presented to a staff member who shows a clear commitment to, and demonstration of, one or more of the University’s Customer Service Values: Student-Focus: Every decision we make seeks to enhance the lived experience of our students Innovation: We embrace change and seek to deliver creative and innovative solutions for our students Dynamic: We are personally committed to meeting and exceeding student expectations & needs Genuine: We demonstrate compassion; showing we genuinely care through open and honest human interaction. Both students and staff are invited to nominate a member of staff who has clearly displayed one or more of the above values. It could be a member of staff who took clear ownership of a situation, doing everything they could to ensure your needs were met. Maybe they went above and beyond, exceeding your expectations; perhaps they showed a clear willingness to resolve an issue quickly for you. In your nomination, please provide a real-life example (or examples) of what the nominee actually did that demonstrated, to you, their commitment to customer service. The more information and evidence you provide, the stronger your nomination will be.
Leading Inclusivity Award (Staff)
Eligibility: Any member of staff in the university, including those who are sub-contracted to the university
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award recognises a staff member who upholds and champions equal opportunities for all, regardless of their background or current situation. They work towards ensuring inclusivity and equality for under-represented groups and help to raise awareness or create change through events, campaigns or other activities. They demonstrate commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and improving their community; whether that be at university, the local community or a specific group of people.
The Battersby Award for Outstanding Contributions to Student Experience
Eligibility: Any member of staff in the university, including those who are sub-contracted to the university
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
This award is presented in memory of David Battersby, who passed away in 2019 after working at the University for 20 years. David was always a friendly face on campus and his contribution to student experience was outstanding. This award is presented in his memory to any member of staff across the University who contributes extensively to the student experience. This award will be presented to someone who is always polite and helpful, as well as supportive of students and always goes above and beyond to ensure that students have a fantastic experience during their time at The University of Law.
Business Professional of the Year
Eligibility: Any member of staff who does not have teaching responsibilities but who is employed as a ‘Business Professional’. This award excludes staff who are sub-contracted.
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
Your university experience isn’t just confined to your lectures and study groups. This award recognises those members of the university community who contribute significantly to the student experience outside of the classroom by providing outstanding customer service and/or support. This could be a particularly helpful member of Student Information or a cleaner who always says a friendly hello. Nominations should provide examples of how this person provides an outstanding service to all students and/or the impact this has on the campus community.
Lecturer of the Year
Eligibility: Any member of teaching staff, including visiting lecturers, and academic coaches.
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
Awarded to member of teaching staff or an Academic Coach who makes a significant contribution to the academic experience of students. Whether inspiring students with a passion for the subject, energising the room or going above and beyond to make your classes engaging or offering support, this person will epitomise what it means to study at ULaw. Nominations should provide examples of the exceptional nature of this person’s teaching and the impact this has on learning in and outside of the classroom.
The Presidents’ Award (Staff)
Eligibility: Not open for nominations
Prize: Trophy, framed certificate
Award kindly sponsored by: SU
Each year, the elected sabbatical officers choose one staff member and one student to receive The Presidents’ Award. The winners will be individuals who have significantly supported them, and/or the Students’ Union, throughout the past academic year.
SU Awards 2025 Gallery
Use the gallery below or visit our Flickr Page, where you can also find albums from previous years.
