Birmingham City University – Student Opportunities Award Nomination Terms and Conditions
1. Introduction
1.1 These terms and conditions (“Terms and Conditions”) apply to nominations (“Nomination(s)”) for Birmingham City University (“University”) Student Opportunities Award 2026 (“Award(s)”). By submitting a Nomination, the nominator agrees to comply with these Terms and Conditions. A nominee will be bound by these Terms and Conditions when they confirm acceptance of the Nomination, or in the case of a self-Nomination, when they submit the Nomination.
1.2 The Awards are organised and administered by the University’s Careers and Student Opportunities team (“University Team”) at the University.
1.3 There are 11 Award categories:
1.3.1 Mentor of the Year;
1.3.2 Mentee of the Year;
1.3.3 Volunteering Partner of the Year;
1.3.4 Student Volunteer of the Year;
1.3.5 Placement Provider of the Year;
1.3.6 Placement Student of the Year;
1.3.7 Placement Tutor’s Choice Award;
1.3.8 Go Abroad Personal Growth Award;
1.3.9 Go Abroad Best International Ambassador Award;
1.3.10 Above and Beyond Award (External); and
1.3.11 Above and Beyond Award (Student).
Please refer to clause 4 for the specific criteria for each Award category.
1.4 The University may amend these Terms and Conditions without prior notice, including the judging and selection process, the timetable for the notification of the winners of the Award. Any amendment will be published on the University’s webpage. The University will not generally make any amendment which puts the nominator and nominee in a material disadvantage in respect of a submitted Nomination. If in the exceptional circumstances where an amendment may materially affect a submitted Nomination, the University will notify the affected nominator and nominee, and where appropriate, provide them with a reasonable opportunity to amend or withdraw the Nomination.
2. Eligibility
2.1 An eligible student nominee must:
2.1.1 be a student currently enrolled with the University on the Closing Date (as defined in clause 3.2.1) for Nominations and satisfies any of the following criteria in clause 2.1.2 or 2.1.3;
2.1.2 have participated in and completed a Student Opportunities programme in the academic year of 2025-2026;
2.1.3 have participated in any of the Student Opportunities’ programmes (Go Abroad, Placements, BCU Volunteering, Professional Mentoring).
2.2 An eligible graduate alumni nominee must have completed an eligible programme of study at the University and satisfies any of the following criteria in clause 2.1.2 or 2.1.3.
2.3 An eligible external organisation nominee must:
2.3.1 be a legally constituted entity (including company, partnership, unincorporated association and charity);
2.3.2 be validly existing on the Closing Date for the Nominations; and
2.3.3 not be insolvent, dissolved, struck off or subject to any formal process for winding up, administration or dissolution on the date of accepting the Nomination.
2.4 An eligible external individual nominee who does not fall within clauses 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 must have:
2.4.1 participated in the Professional Mentoring Programme as a mentor; and
2.4.2 received authorisation, permission or consent from their employer organisation in respect of such participation.
2.5 A nominee is deemed ineligible if:
2.5.1 the Nomination contains any materially false or misleading statement or omits material information regarding eligibility;
2.5.2 the nominee has, without the University’s prior written authorisation, used the University’s name, branding, reputation or affiliation in a misleading or improper manner for personal, political, commercial or professional purposes;
2.5.3 the nominee has engaged in conduct which the University reasonably considers has caused, or is reasonably likely to cause, material harm to the reputation, integrity or standing of the University or the Awards. In determining whether a nominee is ineligible under this clause, the University will act reasonably and proportionately, having regard to the nature, seriousness and context of the relevant conduct and its connection with the University or the Awards. Where reasonably practicable, the University may give the nominee an opportunity to provide relevant information or representations before making its decision.
2.6 Nominators must take reasonable steps to ensure their nominees meet the eligibility criteria and that the information contained in each Nomination is accurate and complete.
3. Nomination process
3.1 Nominator’s eligibility
3.1.1 A nominator must:
(a) not be a member of the judging panel (“Panel”), or participate in the decision-making process relating to an Award category in which the nominator has submitted a Nomination;
(b) not approach, engage, lobby or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, with any member of the Panel or the University Team involved in administering the Awards for the purpose of influencing or attempting to influence the assessment, shortlisting or selection of any nominee; and
(c) not use generative artificial intelligence or any other automated content-generation tool to fabricate, create, misrepresent or provide false, untrue, misleading statements and information in the Nomination.
3.1.2 If a nominator breaches the eligibility criteria, the University may not consider any Nomination submitted by such nominator.
3.2 Submission of a Nomination
3.2.1 Nominations are now open and will close at 11:59pm (UK time) on 3 September 2026, Thursday (“Closing Date”). Any Nominations received by the University after the closing time and Closing Date will not be considered unless the University has extended the Closing Date under clause 9.1.
3.2.2 To make a Nomination, nominator must complete in full and submit in English the online form available at Student Opportunities Awards 2026 Nomination form – Fill in form for the relevant category(ies). Nominations submitted by post, email or telephone will not be considered. Nominators must follow the submission instructions in the online form (where applicable).
3.2.3 Self-Nominations and Nominations of other eligible persons or organisations are permitted.
3.2.4 A nominator may nominate more than one nominee in each category.
3.2.5 The University may verify any information provided in the Nomination and may contact the nominator, nominee and any referee identified in the Nomination to confirm relevant details. Nominator must ensure they are entitled to provide the nominee’s personal data.
3.2.6 The University will not accept responsibility for any technical failure or malfunction or any other problem which may result in a Nomination being lost, not received, technically corrupted or not properly registered.
3.3 Withdrawal of submission
3.3.1 A nominator may withdraw a submitted Nomination at any time before the Closing Date. Notice of withdrawal must be sent by email to mentoring@bcu.ac.uk.
3.3.2 If a successful nominee declines to accept the Award, the Panel may offer the Award to an alternative eligible nominee but is not obliged to do so.
4. Award criteria
4.1 The criteria applicable to each Award category are set out below. Nominees must meet the eligibility requirements in clause 2 and the criteria for the relevant category in order to be considered for the relevant Award. Nominators must provide sufficient information and evidence to demonstrate how the nominees meet the award criteria.
4.2 Professional Mentoring Awards
4.2.1 Mentor of the Year – This Award recognises a mentor who has made an exceptional contribution to the Professional Mentoring Programme through their support of a mentee. Nominees will have demonstrated a consistent commitment to mentoring, built a positive and effective mentoring relationship, and supported their mentee's personal and professional development through guidance, encouragement and constructive challenge.
4.2.2 Mentee of the Year – This Award recognises an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate student or graduate alumni nominee (having completed an eligible programme of study at the University within the last 3 years from the Closing Date) who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Professional Mentoring Programme. Nominees will have engaged proactively with their mentor, set and worked towards meaningful development goals, and taken action to enhance their personal development, career readiness and employability throughout the Professional Mentoring Programme.
4.3 Volunteering Awards
4.3.1 Volunteering Partner of the Year – This Award recognises a partner organisation which has made an exceptional contribution to the University’s students or graduates (who completed programmes of study at the University within the last 3 years from the Closing Date). Nominees will have facilitated volunteering opportunities for the University’s students and such graduates either through brokerage or volunteering days.
4.3.2 Student Volunteer of the Year – This Award recognises an eligible student or eligible graduate alumni nominee (having completed an eligible programme of study at the University within the last 3 years from the Closing Date) who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the BCU Volunteering Programme. Nominees will have proactively taken part in volunteering activity and made an impact on the charity’s work or the local community.
4.4 Placement Provider of the Year – This Award recognises an outstanding placement provider (being any eligible external organisation nominee) that demonstrates excellence in the recruitment, development, and support of student talent. The winning organisation must have provided a high-quality placement experience that equips the University’s students with the skills, confidence, and professional behaviours needed to succeed in the workplace.
4.5 Placement Student of the Year – This Award recognises an eligible student nominee who has successfully completed their placement and have shown outstanding progress and commitment to employability.
4.6 Placement Tutor’s Choice Award – This Award recognises an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate student or graduate alumni nominee (having completed an eligible programme of study at the University within the last 3 years from the Closing Date), who has gone above and beyond to complete the placement in the 2025-2026 academic year, for example overcoming adversity, or has shown continued personal and professional growth throughout the placement period.
4.7 Go Abroad Awards
4.7.1 Go Abroad Personal Growth Award – This Award recognises an eligible student nominee who has had significant development during their time abroad, overcoming challenges and getting out of their comfort zone.
4.7.2 Go Abroad Best International Ambassador Award – This Award recognises an eligible student nominee who excelled at representing the University whilst abroad and contributed positively to the strengthening of the partner relationship.
4.8 Above and Beyond Awards
4.8.1 Above and Beyond Award (External) – This Award recognises an eligible external individual nominee who has gone above and beyond within their programme this year, for example, showing exemplary support to the University’s students.
4.8.2 Above and Beyond Award (Student) – This Award recognises an eligible student or graduate alumni nominee (having completed an eligible programme of study at the University within the last 3 years from the Closing Date) who has gone above and beyond within their programme this year, for example overcoming adversity, or has showed continued personal and professional growth over the programme period.
5. Judging and selection process
5.1 The University Team reserves the right to make a final decision on any nominee’s eligibility for the Awards.
5.2 All eligible Nominations will be reviewed, shortlisted and judged by category-specific Panel(s) composed of the University’s staff (including the University Team members), alumni and Student Union members. Each member of the Panel must declare any conflict of interest and must not participate in the determination of a Nomination if the conflict of interest may reasonably call the fairness of the procedure in question.
5.3 The Panel will select finalists and winner(s) from the nominees by applying the award criteria. The Panel’s decision is final. If there has been a material failure by the University to follow the process as set out in these Terms and Conditions, the nominator or nominee may raise their concerns with the University separately by sending an email to mentoring@bcu.ac.uk.
5.4 If no nominee is considered to be of sufficient merit in a category, the Panel may choose not to make an Award in that category. If there is more than one exceptional nomination in any category, the Panel may choose to give more than one Award, but it is not required to do so.
5.5 Once the finalists are shortlisted, the University Team will notify and invite the finalists to attend the Student Opportunities Awards ceremony (“Awards Ceremony”) on Wednesday 14 October 2026. The winners of the Awards will be announced at the Awards Ceremony. A list of all winners will be posted on the University’s social media platforms. Further details about the Awards Ceremony will be provided in due course and the finalists will receive further information about the Awards Ceremony by email. Attendance at the Awards Ceremony is not a condition of receiving an Award, and the University will not reimburse travel, accommodation or other attendance costs.
6. Publicity
6.1 Winners and finalists may be invited to participate in associated promotional, marketing and publicity activities relating to the Awards before, at and after the Awards Ceremony. The University will obtain any consent required before using a person’s name, company name, logo, photograph or other personal data for these activities.
7. Withdrawal of the Award
7.1 If, after the Award has been made, the University becomes aware that the nominator breached the eligibility criteria in clause 3.1.1, the University may withdraw the relevant Award.
7.2 The University may withdraw an Award (before or after the official announcement of the winners) if new information arises which, in the University’s reasonable opinion, means that the continued association with the winner would be likely to cause harm to the reputation of the Awards and/or the University. Before deciding to withdraw the Award, the University will make reasonable efforts to notify the relevant winner of the relevant concern and give them a reasonable opportunity to respond, unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so.
8. Data protection
8.1 The University may use and process the personal data of the nominators, nominees and any other person identified in a Nomination for the purposes of administering the Awards, verifying eligibility, assessing and shortlisting nominations, selecting and contacting winners, and managing related communications and publicity in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.
8.2 The University will process personal data in accordance with applicable data protection law, including the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, and the University’s privacy policy.
9. General
9.1 The University may suspend, cancel, re-schedule, extend or amend the Awards (including the Awards Ceremony) where reasonably necessary, or if circumstances arise outside its reasonable control. If there is any material change to the Awards (including the Awards Ceremony, any Nomination already submitted), the University will inform the affected nominators and nominees of the relevant changes by email.
9.2 If the University fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions, the University will be responsible for loss and damage suffered by a nominator or nominee as a foreseeable result of the University’s breach or its negligence, but the University not responsible for any loss or damage that is not foreseeable. Loss or damage is foreseeable if it was an obvious consequence of the University’s breach or was contemplated by the affected person and the University when the Nomination is submitted. The University does not exclude or limit its liability in any circumstances where it is prevented from doing so by the laws of England and Wales.
9.3 If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is invalid or unenforceable, then that provision shall be deleted. The enforceability and validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected.
9.4 These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by the law of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction.
10. Contact
For any questions about these Terms and Conditions or the Awards process, please contact the University Team at volunteering@bcu.ac.uk.