Celebrating students, staff and employer partners
The Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences celebrated the outstanding achievements of students, employers and colleagues during the 2025/26 academic year at its annual Placement Awards.
More than 100 students, placement providers and staff gathered for the 6th edition of the awards, which celebrate the positive impact that professional placements continue to have on students' personal, academic and professional development
The awards recognised excellence, professionalism and commitment across the placement community, highlighting the achievements of students who excelled during this time. As well as student success, the awards recognised the organisations and University colleagues that supported their success.
Hosted by Martin Gore, the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences’ Head of Employability, the ceremony reflected on the strong partnerships between the University and placement providers.
These connections help create meaningful opportunities for students across a wide range of sectors, allowing students gain invaluable industry experience, develop essential professional skills, and enhance their future career prospects.
Speaking after the awards ceremony, Martin said:
“The Placement Awards are such a highlight of the year and a brilliant way to showcase the achievements of students, staff and employer partners.
The transformative power of a placement on students’ confidence and skills cannot be underestimated, and we are so grateful to employers for offering such great opportunities.
A common thread through many of the nominations was the trust and level of responsibility that the best placement providers offer to our students, which they always repay with hard work, creativity and professionalism.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the awards, especially those who made long journeys to be there. It was a fantastic evening.”
The awards also showcased inspiring examples of innovation, leadership, and commitment from across the Faculty's placement staff, who work closely with students throughout their placement journey.
The Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Placements Team manages more than 900 student placements each year, supporting students and employers to ensure a high-quality and rewarding placement experience.
The annual awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the placement community and acknowledge the individuals and organisations whose contributions continue to strengthen the University's reputation for excellence in placements.
The evening concluded with the presentation of awards to winners and highly commended nominees, recognising their exceptional achievements and the positive impact they have made during the past year.
