The targetjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards is an annual competition established to celebrate the UK’s most talented and ambitious students.
We’re here to recognise undergraduates who not only shine academically but also show outstanding passion, curiosity and leadership skills; the students who want to make a difference.
Each award is run in partnership with a top employer, offering incredible prizes like paid internships, travel experiences and exclusive career opportunities. If you want to get noticed by the best graduate recruiters in the country, this is your chance!
Because you can benefit from every stage of the Awards. Becoming a finalist or winner isn't just a majorboost for your CV, it's a genuine career and personal growth opportunity!
The application process is designed to mirror a real-life graduate role application. You'll gain experience with crafting an application, taking psychometric tests and joinging assessment centres.
Even if you don't walk away with a prize, finalists can count on a memorable day and valuable connections with both employers and fellow students. Many past finalists have gone on to secure graduate roles thanks to the exposure and confidence they gained at the Grand Final.
Undergraduates from all UK universities can enter, as long as you meet the entry criteria for your chosen award (things like year of study or minimum academic requirements).
You may be eligible for more than one award, but you can only submit ONE final application, so take time to choose the award that fits you best.
Getting started is easy — the whole application happens online and includes:
You don’t have to finish it all at once; you can save your progress and come back any time before the January deadline. Take your time and give it your all!
Once assessments and applications are reviewed, shortlisted students may be invited to:
Finally, the top ten finalists for each award are invited to the exclusive Undergraduate of the Year Awards ceremony in April, where the winners are revealed and celebrated in style.
Our partner SHL are global leaders in talent assessment. The SHL assessments are designed to help employers understand how you think, work and solve problems.
There's no need to worry, these assessments aren't about memorising answers or hidden trick questions; they’re about showing your natural strengths and how you approach challenges.
You'll get insightful feedback afterwards, to help you understand your potential and where you can grow, which is a huge advantage when applying for internships and roles later on.
These assessments are designed to be fair, so if you are entitled to any accommodations, please reach out to let us know so we can arrange this for you.
Want to boost your chances?
More than just an awards ceremony, the finale is an opportunity to recognise your journey to get to where you are, build meaningful connections with fellow students and leading graduate recruiters, and help to further your future career.
The Undergraduate of the Year Awards 2026 Final took place on the 24th April, hosted at the Pelligon in Canary Wharf, London. The event brought together some of the UK's most talented undergraduates for an unforgettable experience, celebrating the incredible achievements of all students.
The 10 finalists from each award category were invited to attend the event, alongside representatives from all of our award sponsors. The event included a 3-course meal for all attendees, before the awards ceremony in the afternoon.
We're delighted to announce our host for the 2026 Undergraduate of the Year Awards is... Jamie Laing!
Jamie knows the university experience inside and out - he studied Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds, where he discovered his passion for entertainment and entrepreneurship. From his student days to building a multi-million pound business in Candy Kittens and becoming one of the UK's most recognisable TV personalities, Jamie embodies the spirit of turning university experiences into real-world success.
As someone who's navigated the journey from lecture halls to boardrooms - and reality TV to radio - Jamie is the perfect person to celebrate the achievements of the UK’s brightest undergraduate talent, and we can’t wait to welcome him back on our stage at our Undergraduate of the Year final on 24th April!
Our host plays a key role in making the afternoon an incredible experience for all of our attendees, shining a spotlight on the incredible achievements of all finalists, making the event an inspiring celebration.
