The British Council is proud to announce the twelfth year of its Study UK Alumni Awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of international UK alumni worldwide. These awards honour leaders who have leveraged their UK education to make significant contributions to their communities, industries, and countries.

This year’s categories include Business and Innovation, Culture, Creativity and Sport, Science and Sustainability, and Social Action. Applications open on 1 September 2025 and close on 16 October 2025. Eligible applicants will be considered for both national Alumni Awards in participating countries and the global Alumni Awards.

Global awards

The finalists and winners of the global Alumni Awards will be announced in 2026 and celebrated through a digital campaign highlighting their remarkable stories and successes. As part of their award, global award winners will be invited to visit the UK, where they will re-connect with their universities, meet and inspire current GREAT scholars, and engage with other global winners.

This prestigious visit not only offers a chance to enhance their international profiles and advance their careers, but also fosters meaningful connections within the academic community.

National awards

In addition to the global awards, a small number of countries will host national ceremonies. Finalists of the national awards will be announced between December 2025 and May 2026. The national awards are generally hosted by the British Council or the British High Commission or Ambassador, with VIPs attending as special guests, leading to extensive press and PR coverage of finalists.

In Ghana, 12 national finalists were celebrated at the February 2025 awards in Accra. Two Ghanaian alumni – Adaku Ufere (University of Aberdeen) and King A. Wellington (University of Birmingham) – were selected as global finalists, representing the country on the international stage.

Ghanaian winners also received professional development grants to support their growth, in addition to global recognition. Finalists were prominently featured on British Council Ghana’s digital platforms and social media channels, giving their stories greater visibility across the country.

What our award winners say

‘Being recognised as the Science and Sustainability Award winner in Ghana 2025 has been a powerful moment in my journey. The visibility through the British Council’s platforms has been truly invaluable.’

Adaku Ufere, national winner of the Science and Sustainability Award in Ghana 2025 and a University of Aberdeen alumna, said "Winning the Business and Innovation Award in Ghana 2025 was a defining moment. It validated the work I have been doing and provided a platform to showcase Ghanaian innovation globally. The recognition and media coverage are helping me scale my ideas and inspire others to pursue bold, creative solutions".

For full details on the eligibility criteria and participating countries, please refer to https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/alumni-awards