Student of the Year 2025/26
The AoC Student of the Year awards celebrate truly unique students from AoC member colleges across England who deserve recognition and will go on to inspire others. The awards show the fantastic work that students are doing in colleges as well as the lengths colleges go to support their students. These awards are an opportunity to highlight outstanding and exceptional individuals and showcase their achievements, talents, and successes. These students have gone above and beyond to give back and positively impact their college and community.
Please ensure you have read these documents before completing your application.
2025/26 Student of the Year Award Categories and Sponsors
Young Student of the Year (16 to 18 years old) sponsored by Edge
This category is open to anyone aged 16 to 18-years-old by 31 August 2025.
There is no restriction on the course, type or level they are completing.
Closing date for entries: Monday 30 June 2025
To apply for this award category please click here
Application form - word version for reference only
Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Association of Colleges
This category is open to anyone completing/completed an apprenticeship.
There is no restriction on age, type or level of apprenticeship.
Closing date for entries: Monday 30 June 2025
To apply for this award category please click here
Application form - word version for reference only
Adult Student of the Year (19+) sponsored by Gateway Qualifications
This category is open to anyone aged 19-years-old and over as at 31 August 2025.
There is no restriction to the type or level of course they are completing or the upper age limit.
Closing date for entries: Monday 30 June 2025
To apply for this award category please click here
Application form - word version for reference only
Higher Education Student of the Year sponsored by QAA
This category seeks nominations from colleges to recognise outstanding and exceptional students who have studied a higher education programme at a college. The programme needs to be at level 4 and above and lead to a prescribed or non-prescribed HE qualification. This could include Foundation Degree, HNC/D, Diploma HE, Undergraduate Degree, NVQ 4 and above, Higher Level or Degree apprenticeships or others studied on a full time or part time basis. We encourage colleges to nominate students from all age groups. This is an opportunity to help provide recognition to students and colleges for excellence in HE.
Closing date for entries: Monday 30 June 2025
To apply for this award category please click here
Application form - word version for reference only
AQA Inspiring Project Award
AoC Member Colleges are also eligible to apply for the Inspiring Project Award sponsored by AQA (previously called the Project Excellence Award).
Applications are accepted from all recognised EPQ awarding bodies, not just AQA
Please pre-register to apply for this award by emailing awards@aoc.co.uk (this will be acknowledged by the awards team)
Following pre-registration, please read all documents at links below and the AoC Student of the Year 2025/26 Guide for Applicants (at the top of this page).
Please then download, and sign a copy of the Student of Year Terms and Conditions and return along with your application form to awards@aoc.co.uk
Closing date for entries: 15 September 2025