Vice-Chancellor's Awards
We recognise and celebrate outstanding members of the Bath Spa community.
In partnership with the Students' Union, the VC Awards recognise outstanding individual and team achievements at our University.
The awards take place annually, with nominations generally opening in the new year and closing in spring. The winners are announced at the awards ceremony in the summer.
This year's VC Awards will be held on Thursday 15 May 2025.
Everyone at Bath Spa can nominate staff members and students that they feel have made outstanding contributions to the University community.
Each nomination will be assessed by an awards panel comprising staff from across the University, Sabbatical Officers from the Students' Union and student representatives.
Award categories
Student awards
This award recognises the impact students have had on the learning experience; whether that be as a Student Community Leader, Course Rep, supporting other students or working to enhance resources. It recognises students who have worked to create conditions to make studying at Bath Spa the best it can be.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
This award aims to recognise a student or student group that held an impactful student-led event or ran a successful project. The student(s) should be able to demonstrate leading, planning, organising and execution. The event or project should highlight passion, commitment and impact on students or the broader community.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
This award recognises an inspirational student who makes a difference to the lives of others – whether that be within the Bath Spa University community, the local region or planet. The nominee can be someone who puts others before themselves, volunteers, fundraises or advocates and campaigns for social good.
Awarded to a student team or group that has made a significant contribution to their peers, Bath Spa University or the wider local community. This could be a sports team, club, society, or group, who have demonstrated a collective achievement and positive contribution.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
Awarded to a student who exemplifies the University’s graduate attributes. There will be eight winners – one for each school of study, including Bath Spa University London.
Please note the nominations for this award are made within each School of Study and then carefully selected by the Head of School.
Awarded to a student who has travelled furthest in their learning journey. There will be eight winners - one for each school of study, including Bath Spa University London.
Please note the nominations for this award are made within each School of Study and then carefully selected by the Head of School.
Awarded to a student who has made a significant contribution to their host organisation whilst on placement. This could be awarded to a student undertaking a Professional Placement Year or a shorter placement considered an essential part of their course.
Who can nominate: Staff
This award celebrates a participant in the Graduate Scheme who has demonstrated exceptional potential and made significant contributions to their department and the wider Bath Spa University community through their role on the Bath Spa Graduate Scheme.
Who can nominate: Staff
Awarded to a student who has brought their global experience to Bath Spa for the benefit of the wider BSU community. This could be an international student studying at Bath Spa, or a domestic student that has undertaken a global experience whilst at BSU such as semester abroad, summer schools or work experience.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
Staff awards
Awarded to a member of staff who has enhanced a culture of respect, engagement and integrity in the University through their enjoyment of work and their promotion of friendliness and collegiality.
This award focuses on the attributes of the person rather than the job role that they perform. This award is open to any member of staff from the University or Students' Union, regardless of team or role.
Who can nominate: Staff
Awarded to a member of staff who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and management, which is reinforced by excellent results in their area of responsibility.
Any individual that has formal responsibility for other staff members can be nominated in this category, this includes staff from the Students' Union. Nominations are welcomed for those who lead teams both large and small, operating at all levels of the University.
Who can nominate: Staff
Awarded to a member of staff who has, in the opinion of the student nominators, demonstrated outstanding and inspirational teaching.
This might be evidenced in a number of ways, for example through innovative teaching methods, creating an inclusive learning community, challenging students to develop new skills, knowledge and abilities, and embedding social responsibility and global issues into the curriculum.
Who can nominate: Students
Awarded to a postgraduate supervisor who has, in the opinion of the student nominators, demonstrated outstanding and inspirational research supervision.
Who can nominate: Students
Awarded to a member of staff who has demonstrated outstanding support and going above and beyond to enhance the experience for students. This award is for someone who makes a significant contribution to the whole BSU community and deserves recognition.
This might be evidenced in a number of ways, for example through technical support provided, support for student wellbeing, careers advice, library and learning support, service in the catering outlets or support provided by a member of staff from the Students' Union. The nominee can be any member of the University or Students' Union staff.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
Awarded to a team of staff who have made a significant contribution to the overall success of the University during the past year.
The winner of this award will be a team who goes beyond 'business as usual', consistently delivers best practices, and is ready to innovate, keen to improve and make a difference to the University.
It might be that this team has met a challenge head-on or delivered a new initiative or project that has improved the way they work or the service they offer as a result.
Please note there are no nominations for this award, a winner will be carefully selected by the University Executive Board.
Community awards
Awarded to a Bath Spa Alumni who has made a significant contribution to the overall success of the University during the past year.
The nomination for this award should describe how an alumnus has given ‘Back to Bath Spa’ in any aspect of the community, for example, mentoring, creating opportunities for Bath Spa students or grads, or simply has supported us in our activities eg given up their time for panels, or to come and guest lecture.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
NEW: Awarded to an external organisation that has significantly contributed to the development and success of our students and graduates. This award recognises a partner who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to collaboration, innovation, and support, building a positive and impactful relationship with the University.
Who can nominate: Staff
Tips for writing a nomination
- Don't leave it to the last minute – give yourself time to write something you feel happy with.
- Read the award descriptions clearly and try and refer back to the relevant award description in your nomination where possible.
- Be clear and concise – state clearly why the person or team deserves to win.
- Give examples, as this will help the panel understand why you think the person or team should win.
- Please don't nominate yourself or your own team – it's not in the spirit of the awards. You can of course nominate individuals from within your own team.
- Consider how the nominee embodies the Bath Spa University values – respect, inclusivity, collaboration and sustainability.