Commendations of contribution are awarded to HELOA members who have made an exceptional contribution, either over the past year or over a longer timeframe, to enhancing best practice in student recruitment, outreach, widening access or marketing.

The judges want to know how individuals’ actions and commitment enhanced student recruitment, outreach, widening access or marketing.

Any full or associate member can nominate someone for a Commendation of Contribution. The nominee must be a member or immediate former member of a full or associate member institution.

The nomination will be assessed against 6 categories:

1. Innovation – Assess the level of creativity, originality, or novel approaches demonstrated. Look for solutions that break new ground or introduce fresh perspectives to existing challenges.
2. Collaboration – Evaluate the degree to which the individual has collaborated with others to achieve the contribution. Consider their ability to work effectively in teams, share knowledge, and leverage diverse perspectives.
3. Leadership – Recognise individuals who have demonstrated effective leadership qualities, such as inspiring others, fostering collaboration, or guiding teams toward achieving shared goals.
4. Sustainability – Consider whether the contribution is sustainable over time and whether it promotes long-term positive outcomes without causing harm to the environment, stakeholders, or future generations.
5. Initiative – Recognise individuals who have taken proactive steps or shown initiative in identifying and addressing challenges, seizing opportunities, or driving positive change.
6. Adaptability – Recognise individuals who have demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and agility in responding to changing circumstances or requirements while still making meaningful contributions.

Up to 500 words total per nomination.

When completing the form, enter ‘N/A’ where a required box isn’t applicable for your commendation of contribution.

This award celebrates projects that demonstrate best practice in increasing awareness of higher education amongst under-represented groups, supports progression to higher education, or encourages students from under-represented groups to apply and enrol for courses.

We are looking for a clearly defined campaign or activity aligned to the university’s strategy to engage with its target audience. This category is open to undergraduate and postgraduate campaigns, with entries being scored on their success in accordance to how they have met their individual objectives.

What the judges want to know:

• The overall aim of your campaign
• SMART Objectives and overall budget for the project
• Details of your campaign, project, or activity
• How did data and insight inform your decisions?
• What was the impact and outcomes of the campaign?
• Why should you win?

Up to 1500 words total per nomination

Supported by

This category is your opportunity to showcase what makes your student recruitment strategies stand out from the crowd. This can include your marketing, brand campaigns, events or anything else in the student recruitment space.

The judges would like to understand how your activities enhanced your target audiences’ perception of the institution and communicated the essence of your brand and unique offer.

What the judges want to know:

• The overall aim of your campaign
• SMART Objectives and overall budget for the project
• Details of your campaign, project, or activity
• How did data and insight inform your decisions?
• What was the impact and outcomes of the campaign?
• Why should you win?

Up to 1500 words total per nomination

Sponsored by

This award recognises campaigns and activities that attract postgraduate students to apply and enrol for courses. We are looking for a clearly defined campaign aligned to the university’s strategy to engage with its target audience, supported by a coordinated marketing campaign.

This category is open to postgraduate campaigns only, with entries being scored on their success in accordance to how they have met their individual objectives and their evidence of achieving a strong return on investment.

What the judges want to know:

• The overall aim of your campaign
• SMART Objectives and overall budget for the project
• Details of your campaign, project, or activity
• How did data and insight inform your decisions?
• What was the impact and outcomes of the campaign?
• Why should you win?

Up to 1500 words total per nomination

Sponsored by

This award recognises campaigns and activities that attract undergraduate students to apply and enrol for courses. We are looking for a clearly defined campaign aligned to the university’s strategy to engage with its target audience, supported by a coordinated marketing campaign.

This category is open to undergraduate campaigns only, with entries being scored on their success in accordance to how they have met their individual objectives and their evidence of achieving a strong return on investment.

What the judges want to know:

• The overall aim of your campaign
• SMART Objectives and overall budget for the project
• Details of your campaign, project, or activity
• How did data and insight inform your decisions?
• What was the impact and outcomes of the campaign?
• Why should you win?

Up to 1500 words total per nomination

Supported by

Small and cost-effective can be impactful. This award gives you the opportunity to showcase highly focussed activities, where budget is tight, or you are working with a small cohort.

This category is open to undergraduate and postgraduate campaigns, with entries being scored on their success in accordance to how they have met their individual objectives.

What the judges want to know:

• The overall aim of your campaign.
• SMART Objectives and overall budget for the project.
• Details of your campaign, project, or actvity.
• How did data and insight inform your decisions?
• What was the impact and outcomes of the campaign?
• Why should you win?

Up to 1500 words total per nomination

*this award is about showcasing innovation and doing more with less. We have not given a numerical value as to what constitutes a small budget as this will vary from institution to institution. As part of your entry, please give us the context on the budget size.

Sponsored by