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Most prizes are administered by Faculties and are open to students in those Faculties (see “Faculty Prizes” below).

There is also a small number of prizes which are open to students across all Faculties (see “University Prizes and Awards” below).

The Centre for Curriculum, Enhancement and Approval receives submissions of proposals for the establishment of new prizes and amendments to the conditions of existing prizes, including their discontinuation.

An annual report in respect of both Faculty and University-wide prizes and awards is made to the Academic Standards and Quality Enhancement Committee in October of each year.

The report summarises new and discontinued prizes and notes the outcomes of the competition for University-wide awards.

Faculty Prizes

The following Faculty prizes are open to students of those Faculties.

Course/Subject handbooks contain information on prizes and awards associated with programmes.

The Faculty list of prizes and awards is updated in May of each year prior to the Board of Examiners meetings in June.

The current lists are available here:

After the Boards of Examiners meetings in June, The Centre is informed of the recipient of each prize and produces a certificate which is forwarded to the prizewinner along with the prize.

University Prizes and Awards

Information on University prizes and awards is forwarded to all Faculties, libraries, Employability and Careers and the Students' Union in October each year.

Information is also provided through campus reception screens, an annual global email to students and a dedicated link in the student portal.

The following University prizes and awards are open to all students of the University:

  • BPW NI Travelling Scholarship

    BPW NI Travelling Scholarship to be confirmed for 2024.

  • Findlater Award in Social Studies

    Establishment of Award

    As a result of a bequest by Mr Alexander Findlater.

    Basis of Award

    The prize is for the best piece of written work concerned centrally with social conditions in Ireland, which are interpreted to include social, economic and political areas of study.

    The work shall be produced by a student during their enrolment at Ulster University.

    Eligibility

    Any student registered for a programme of study at Ulster University.

    Value of Award

    up to £300

    Closing date

    11.59pm on 31 May 2024

    Further information

    For further information contact:

    Lisa Verner, Centre for Curriculum Enhancement and Approval

    Tel: 028 701 23768

    Email: l.verner@ulster.ac.uk

  • Allstate NI Convocation Undergraduate Student of the Year Award

    Establishment of Award

    Established by the Convocation of Ulster University and funded by Allstate NI.

    Basis of Award

    Made to a student who, during their time at Ulster University, has demonstrated significant personal achievement or a substantial contribution to the life of the University, its students or the community.

    Eligibility

    All full-time and part-time undergraduate students.

    Value of Award

    A perpetual trophy and £500

    Closing date

    11.59pm on 15 May 2024

    Further information

    For further information contact:

    Miss Jemma Bacon, Office of the University Secretary, Room J306, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA.

    Tel: 028 701 24114

    Email: j.bacon@ulster.ac.uk

  • Greer Garson Film Award

    Establishment of Award

    As a result of an endowment by Miss Greer Garson.

    Basis of Award

    The prize is for the best piece of creative work in film.

    Eligibility

    Any student (or group of students) registered for a programme of study at Ulster University.

    Value of Award

    up to £500

    Closing date

    11.59pm on 31 May 2024

    Further information

    Lisa Verner, Centre for Curriculum Enhancement and Approval

    Tel: 028 701 23768

    Email: l.verner@ulster.ac.uk

  • Greer Garson Theatre Award

    Establishment of Award

    As a result of an endowment by Miss Greer Garson.

    Basis of Award

    The prize is for the best piece of creative work in theatre produced by a student (or group of students) during their enrolment at Ulster University.

    Eligibility

    Any student (or group of students) registered for a programme of study at Ulster University.

    Value of Award

    up to £500

    Closing date

    11.59pm on 31 May 2024

    Further information

    For further information contact:

    Lisa Verner, Centre for Curriculum Enhancement and Approval

    Tel: 028 701 23768

    Email: l.verner@ulster.ac.uk

  • John RE Scott Convocation Postgraduate Student of the Year Award

    Establishment of Award

    Established by the Convocation Executive Committee of Ulster University.

    Basis of Award

    Made to a student who, during their time at Ulster University, has demonstrated significant personal achievement or a substantial contribution to the life of the University, its students or the community.

    Eligibility

    All full-time and part-time postgraduate students.

    Value of Award

    Trophy (retained by the winner for one year).

    Closing date

    11.59pm on 6 November 2023

    Further information

    For further information contact:

    Miss Jemma Bacon, Office of the University Secretary, Room J306, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, BT52 1SA.

    Tel: 028 701 24114

    Email: j.bacon@ulster.ac.uk

  • McCrea Literary Award

    Establishment of Award

    The award is derived from the McCrea Bequest formerly held by Magee University College.

    Basis of Award

    The prize is available biennially for creative writing, in the fields of poetry, essay, drama, the novel or the humanities in general.

    Eligibility

    All members of Ulster University, graduates and honorary graduates of Ulster University and of its predecessor the New Ulster University.

    Value of Award

    up to £500

    Closing date

    11.59pm on 31 May 2025

    Further information

    For further information contact:

    Lisa Verner, Centre for Curriculum Enhancement and Approval

    Tel: 028 701 23768

    Email: l.verner@ulster.ac.uk

Establishing New Prizes

Proposals for new prizes should be submitted to The Centre using the pro forma.

Each proposal is submitted to the University's Academic Standards and Quality Enhancement Committee which makes recommendations regarding their establishment to Council.

Proposals endorsed by the Committee are approved by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Quality and Student Experience) on behalf of Council.

Copies of all proposals for new prizes should also be forwarded to the Development and Alumni Relations Office for information.

When new prizes are obtained the donor or sponsor should be asked to sign an agreement empowering the University to amend the terms of the award, including the re-allocation of the award to another programme in the same or a related subject area, should the original programme associated with the award be discontinued.

The University has guidelines with regard to the funding of new and existing prizes.

As a general rule, the annual value of the prize should be no less than £50.

Many prizes are funded and made available over a fixed period of time (for example five years or 10 years).

Alternatively, prizes can be established in perpetuity, that is, a prize is awarded over an indefinite period of time.

An effective means to fund prizes in perpetuity is for the University to receive a capital sum of sufficient value which will generate enough annual interest to support an annual prize.

Where the standard rate of interest is taken at 4%, £1,250 is the minimum sum required to establish a prize which will be awarded in perpetuity with a value of £50 annually.

If insufficient interest has generated, the prize may not be awarded.

Amendments to Existing Prizes

Amendments to existing prizes should be submitted to The Centre using the pro forma.

Each proposal for amendment is submitted to the University's Academic Standards and Quality Enhancement Committee which makes recommendations regarding the amendment to Council.

Amendments endorsed by the Committee are approved by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Quality and Student Experience) on behalf of Council.

Amendments to prizes funded by donors and sponsors should be made with their agreement.

General Regulations Applying to Student Awards (Prizes)

  1. The terms and conditions of new student prizes shall be determined by the Academic Standards and Quality Enhancement Committee on behalf of the Senate.  The Committee shall make recommendations for the establishment of new prizes to the Council.
  2. Awards shall be authorised by the appropriate nominating body or committee. In the case of awards based on examination performance, this body shall be the Board of Examiners, and where more than one Board of Examiners is involved, the Deans of Faculties shall co-ordinate decisions.
  3. At the time of nomination for a prize or award a candidate must be a registered student of the University.
  4. A prize or award may be divided where there are candidates of equal merit.
  5. A prize or award may be withheld in a particular year if in the opinion of the nominating body there is no candidate of suitable merit.
  6. The University may withdraw or cancel without notice any or all offers of prizes or awards.
  7. The nominating body may determine other conditions not explicitly specified.
  8. In the case of prizes or awards which are provided out of private endowment funds, the payment of the full amount shall be contingent on the necessary income being forthcoming from the endowment fund.