Celebrating global impact: Study UK Alumni Awards now open

If your UK education helped you change lives, lead innovation, or inspire others - this is your moment to apply.

The British Council is proud to announce the twelfth year of its Study UK Alumni Awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of international UK alumni worldwide. These awards honour leaders who have leveraged their UK education to make significant contributions to their communities, industries, and countries. This year’s categories include Business and Innovation, Culture, Creativity and Sport, Science and Sustainability, and Social Action. Applications open on 1 September 2025 and close on 16 October 2025. Eligible applicants will be considered for both national Alumni Awards in participating countries and the global Alumni Awards.

Global awards

The finalists and winners of the global Alumni Awards will be announced in 2026 and celebrated through a digital campaign highlighting their remarkable stories and successes. As part of their award, global award winners will be invited to visit the UK, where they will re-connect with their universities, meet and inspire current GREAT scholars, and engage with other global winners. This prestigious visit not only offers a chance to enhance their international profiles and advance their careers but also fosters meaningful connections within the academic community.

National awards

In addition to the global awards, a small number of countries will host national ceremonies. Finalists of the national awards will be announced between December 2025 and May 2026. The national awards are generally hosted by the British Ambassador or High Commissioner, with VIPs attending as special guests, leading to extensive press and PR coverage of finalists.

What our award winners say

‘Recognition on this prestigious platform is a milestone of inspiration, excellence, and growth, reinforcing a commitment to progress.’ Dr Shahman Moishan, National winner of the Culture and Creativity Award in 2025, Bangladesh, University of Birmingham alumnus

‘I am very humbled and honoured to be here. This award really means a lot to me as it connects to very important pillars in my scientific career, my UK education that really impacted me and my comeback to my roots from the UK.... I hope to be a worthy representative of this award’. Dr Freideriki Michailidou, National winner of the Science and Sustainability Award in 2024, Greece, University of St Andrews alumna

---