#WeAreInternational Awards 2026

Frequently asked questions

Each award category has specific criteria, make sure you check them before writing your nomination entry. All nominees must be affiliated with a UKCISA member institution.

Eligibility varies by category. Please refer to the specific award category for full eligibility details.

The awards do not come with a financial reward. For information for international students about funding your studies in the UK, visit our Student Advice pages.

Yes, self-nominations are welcome! Whether you are an international student, staff member, or part of a team, you can put yourself forward if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Yes, absolutely! We encourage you to nominate others - whether they are international students, alumni or colleagues working at UKCISA member institutions. Please make sure to check the Awards page to confirm that your nominees meet the eligibility criteria for their categories.

Yes, you can! You are welcome to submit nominations in multiple categories if you know individuals, teams, or institutions who deserve recognition across different areas. Just be sure each nomination meets the specific criteria for that category.

Yes, you can edit or cancel your nomination up until the deadline of 9 am on 14 July 2026.

Shortlisted nominees will be announced in August 2026. At that time, tickets for the Awards Ceremony will also go on sale.

We’d love to hear from you! Please see the sponsorship brochure or contact our partnership team at awards@ukcisa.org.uk to discuss sponsorship opportunities and how you can support the #WeAreInternational Awards.

The #WeAreInternational Awards ceremony will be held on 18 November 2026 at the Bloomsbury Ballroom in London. It will be an evening gala celebrating the achievements of the international education community.

Tickets will be available to purchase when the shortlist is announced in summer 2026.

Tickets for the ceremony will cost:

  • £200 for finalists
  • £245 for UKCISA members
  • £495 for non-members
  • £1,950 for table of 10 for UKCISA members
  • £1,100 for a table of 5 for UKCISA members

If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to the Awards team on awards@ukcisa.org.uk and we’ll be happy to help.

Finalists FAQs

The full list of finalists is now live on our website. Finalists were selected from over X nominations across X institutions, showcasing the outstanding contributions of students, staff, teams and institutions across the UK.

All nominations were carefully reviewed against the published criteria for each category to create the shortlist of finalists.

Congratulations! A member of the Awards Team will be in contact with you directly with specific details. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact us via the contact form.

The winners will be chosen from the finalists by our judging panel, which is comprised of #WeAreInternational Student Ambassadors, UKCISA staff, and leading experts in the sector.

These include representatives from X.

We have strictly managed any conflicts of interest.

About the awards ceremony

A limited number of tickets are now on sale here. Due to limited capacity and high interest, we advise booking early to secure your place at this celebratory evening.

Your ticket includes the entry to the drinks reception, a seated three-course dinner and the full Awards ceremony and celebration.

We recommend booking early as spaces are limited. Ticket sales will close on 7 or sooner if sold out.

If tickets are sold out, we will open a waiting list. You can register your interest via our contact form, and we will contact you if any places become available. Please note that places are limited and we cannot guarantee availability, but we will do our best to accommodate you.

Tickets are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your ticket to another guest by contacting our Awards team in advance via our contact form.

Dress to impress! We don’t specify black tie as this can be limiting for those without a tuxedo. We recommend glamorous evening wear or an outfit that celebrates your culture.

When booking your ticket you can specify any requirements. For anything else, please contact the Awards team via our contact form and we’ll be happy to assist.

The awards ceremony is an in-person event. We will be sharing highlights and winner announcements on our social media channels using #WeAreInternational. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay updated.

We’d love to hear from you. Please contact our partnership team via the contact form to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

UKCISA staff can be identified throughout the event or contacted via email to awards@ukcisa.org.uk.

Please reach out to the Awards team via our contact form and we will be happy to help.