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We’re calling on all University of Portsmouth students, whichever course you are studying, to design a prestigious award for the 2026 Student Impact Awards.
We’re calling on all University of Portsmouth students, whichever course you are studying, to design a prestigious award for the 2026 Student Impact Awards.
We are looking for creative award and trophy designs including style, form and materials, to be presented to student winners at the event. Your design should celebrate student success and impact, while also reflecting Portsmouth 100, marking 100 years since the city was granted its status.
To enter, submit either a model, sketch or drawing of your design, along with a short explanation of your design. All entries must be emailed to campusactivity@port.ac.uk by Sunday 18 January 2026, using the subject line ‘Student Impact Award Design’. Please provide your contact details when entering.
About the Student Impact Awards
The University’s Student Impact Awards are in their third year and recognise and celebrate our students for the positive impact they are making on our external community, whether in the city, region or further afield. There are fourteen categories.
The awards are a prestigious event in the University Calendar, and your award design should reflect this. Nominations for the awards open at the start of the spring term.
When
The Student Impact Awards 2026 will be presented at a celebratory dinner held at Fratton Park on the evening of Thursday 30 April. The guest list will include all students nominated for awards and their guests, along with senior staff of the University and Student’s Union and an external guest list including businesses, city leaders and other influencers.
Prize
The winner of this design competition will receive:
- £150 in prize money.
- Professional photography of your completed award.
- Professional advice on including this award within your portfolio, if appropriate.
- Two tickets for the Student Impact Awards dinner, for you and your guest.
- Promotion of your work through the marketing of the Student Impact Awards.
Design Criteria
The winning award will be made by our team of skilled technicians in the University’s Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries (Eldon Production Centre) and will be presented to award winners at the Student Impact Awards. Your design must meet the following criteria:
- The dimensions of each award must be no more than 300mm high and wide.
- The award design must be prestigious.
- As well as being a University and Students’ Union Award, your design should reflect Portsmouth 100 – 2026 will be the 100th year since Portsmouth was awarded city status.
- While there is flexibility over the materials that are used, the award must be makeable.
Deadline
All entries must be received by Midnight on Sunday 18 January 2026. They can be submitted in the form of a model, or a sketch, drawing or photo(s) of a model – and to help the judging panel please add a short explanation of your design. Please submit your entry to campusactivity@port.ac.uk with the title ‘Student Impact Award Design’.
Judging panel
The judging panel will comprise of staff within the University and Students’ Union. Their decision will be final, based on the criteria listed above.
Advice
If you would like advice before submitting your design, contact Nicola Crowson, Principal Lecturer/Course Leader, School of Architecture, Art and Design nicola.crowson@port.ac.uk