British Council UK Alumni Awards 2026

The Study UK Alumni Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of international UK alumni worldwide. These awards honour international leaders who have leveraged their UK education to make significant contributions to their communities, industries, and countries. Award categories include business and innovation, culture, creativity and sport, science and sustainability, and social action.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: October 16, 2025
2. Country to study: United Kingdom
3. Type: Postgraduate, Fellowship, Leadership Award
4. Sponsor: British Council
5. Gender: Men and Women

Eligibility Criteria for British Council UK Alumni Awards 2026

Alumni must have studied:

1. within the last 15 years (i.e. 2010 – 2025)
2. enrolled at an officially recognised body or received a recognised award from a UK higher education institution
3. at degree level or above (degree level is defined as band 9 and above on the UK ENIC band framework)
4. either at a UK university in the UK, for a minimum of one term or semester, OR awarded a full UK degree-level qualification (or higher), awarded by a recognized UK HEI, in their home country (Transnational Education – TNE/long distance).

Professional short courses: alumni are only eligible if the course they studied was at degree level (or above) and offered by a recognized UK institution in the UK (and they fulfil the rest of the criteria).

Post-doc researchers are ineligible.

There are four award categories:

Business and Innovation Award – Recognizing alumni who are active in initiating and contributing to innovative or creative new ideas, solutions or business opportunities, that have the potential for growth.

1. Areas of work could include, but are not limited to, entrepreneurship, business, technology, and finance.

Culture, Creativity, and Sport Award—Recognizing alumni who have carved a career for themselves in arts, culture, and sport. We are looking for individuals who can demonstrate their artistic ingenuity, influence, and creativity.

1. Areas of work could include, but are not limited to, arts, design, humanities, traditional media, music, video, TV, sports and online content and audio-visual media creation (e.g., blogging and vlogging, including for YouTube and social media).

Science and Sustainability Award – Recognising alumni who have distinguished themselves through their careers and achievements in the world of science and sustainability and who can demonstrate the impact and scale of their achievements in their profession and beyond.

1. Areas of work could include, but are not limited to, climate action, clean energy, medicine, sustainable cities and communities, engineering, industry, and construction.

Social Action Award – Recognising alumni who have made an exceptional contribution and commitment to creating positive social change and improving the lives of others.

1. Areas of work could include, but are not limited to, education, peace and justice and reducing inequality, poverty and hunger, and broader humanitarian work or work for social good.

Benefits of British Council UK Alumni Awards 2026

1. opportunities to connect with people of influence at award ceremonies, and afterwards: finalists and winners in Egypt and Kazakhstan met Ministers of State at the ceremonies in Cairo and Astana;
2. press and PR opportunities and increased national/regional/global profile:Alumni Award winners have been featured in national media in participating countries, for example China Daily, Metro News in Indonesia, and Daily Graphic in Ghana.
3. professional contacts and connections;
4. reconnecting with UK university and the UK;
5. having a platform to be able to share experiences of UK education/career with others (particularly young people).

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to British Council on britishcouncil2.formstack.com to apply

For more details, visit British Council UK Alumni Awards webpage

Application Deadline

October 16, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for British Council UK Alumni Awards 2026