undergraduate of the year awards

2022

Finalists & Winners

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The Undergraduate of the Year Award Celebrating Resilience
Artemis Webster
Chemistry
|
Queen Mary University of London
Artemis is a penultimate-year chemistry student at Queen Mary University of London. She is proud to be a care-leaver who now tutors other students from underrepresented backgrounds at the not-for-profit social enterprise, Peppo Tutors. As well as this, Artemis is a Unite Foundation Scholar and runs the social media pages for the scholarship. She hopes to break the stigmas surrounding care-leavers and estranged students at university. Artemis is also a student ambassador, helping to recruit new students in STEM subjects at Queen Mary. In the future she hopes to continue her unique journey, helping others to achieve excellence through adversity.
finalists

Jacques Burgess | University of Manchester | Aerospace Engineering

‍Murtada Dafalla | University of Leeds | Mechanical Engineering

‍George Diamantopoulos | University of Brighton | Mechanical Engineering

‍Muskan Gupta | University of Bristol | International Business Management and French

‍Fiza Khan | The University of Law | Law

‍Chidera Okoli | University of Birmingham | Mechanical Engineering

‍Natasha Pickard | University of Leeds | Financial Mathematics

‍Sam Rhodes | University of Sheffield | Robotic and Mechatronic Engineering

‍Jess Robinson | University of Nottingham | Mechanical Engineering

‍Paris Stott | London School of Economics and Political Science | Accounting and Finance

‍Artemis Webster | Queen Mary University of London | Chemistry

The Young Activist of the Year Award
Bana Itani
Law
|
SOAS, University of London
Bana Itani is final-year law student completing the senior status LLB at SOAS, University of London. She previously graduated from the American University of Beirut with a degree in political studies and a minor in international law. Bana has completed work placements with research institutes, law firms and NGOs. Most recently, Bana co-founded Be Brave Beirut, a grassroots initiative providing free remote mental health services in Lebanon that began after the devastating explosion in Beirut on August 4, 2020. To date, Be Brave Beirut has helped over 1,000 beneficiaries, delivered more than 6,000 hours of emotional support and garnered more than 4,000 social media followers.
finalists

Max Boulton | University of Bristol | Politics and International Relations

‍Elle-Sue Calderbank | Manchester Metropolitan University | Law

‍Emily Garton | University of Nottingham | English

‍Phoebe Hanson | Lancaster University | Politics

‍Bana Itani | SOAS, University of London | Law

‍Natasha Lovel | University of Oxford | History

‍Louise Lyons-Appiah | University of Birmingham | History and Political Science

‍Shantel Marekera | University of Oxford | Jurisprudence

‍Tasha Mhakayakora | University of Warwick | Sociology

‍Marcin Pisanski | University of Oxford | Jurisprudence

‍Yassmina Popescu | Lancaster University | Law

The Future CFO of the Year
Emily Gardner
Economics
|
Durham University
Emily is a third-year economics student at Durham University. She is currently on her year abroad at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, where she studies business and management and is part of the investment society. As a part-time job Emily works as a maths and economics tutor online. She recently took part in Tsinghua University’s global summer school, working with a team from across the world to find technical solutions to reach carbon neutrality. In her spare time she enjoys learning languages and playing sports. She is part of Durham University’s Taekwondo team and is also a member of her college’s finance committee.
finalists

Onabikoa Aliakai | Loughborough University | Accounting and Financial Management

‍Jiahao Fang | University of Manchester | Accounting and Finance

‍Emily Gardner | Durham University | Economics with Study Abroad

‍Adit Kaleka | Lancaster University | Accounting and Finance

‍Amelia Lunnon | University of Surrey | Business Management

‍Faezah Manga | SOAS University of London | Accounting and Finance

‍Dominic Radley | University of York | Economics and Finance

‍Vatsal Thadhani | Queen Mary University of London | Accounting and Finance

‍James Whelan | University of Bristol | Economics and Finance

‍Craig White | University of Edinburgh | Economics with Finance

The First Generation Undergraduate of the Year Award
Isabelle Brown
French and Spanish
|
University of Exeter
As a trilingual, sports-loving, determined, and diligent Exeter University modern languages undergraduate, Isabelle loves travelling and exploring new cultures. During her year abroad, she was an assistant English teacher in France for five months and is now studying in Spain. Previously she taught as an ASA qualified swimming instructor, completed work experience as a business analyst at Kimberly-Clark and worked as a retail assistant at Exeter Marketplace. During lockdown she volunteered for university’s digital welcome team and trialled a French conversation platform. She achieved the Exeter Award and completed Grand Challenges, an innovative, multi-disciplinary course combatting issues in the digital world.
finalists

Charlotte Avery | University of Oxford | Experimental Psychology

‍Isabelle Brown | University of Exeter | French and Spanish

‍Kevin Guo | University of Warwick | Economics

‍Long Hin Tony Ho | University of Sheffield | Accounting and Financial Management

‍Emilie Kofler | University of Sheffield | Business Management with Modern Languages

‍Tim Li | University College London | Economics

‍Ewan McBride | Durham University | English Literature

‍Giorgis Simakou | University of Leeds | Business Economics

‍Leona Schneider | Abertay University | Psychology

‍Lauren White | King's College London | Psychology

The Future Lawyer of the Year Award
Jack Whittaker
Law
|
University of Salford
Jack is a final-year law student at the University of Salford, who aims to develop a successful career in commercial law. Jack has gained a range of work experience, including an internship at Monarch Solicitors, completing the Common Purpose Future Leadership Programme, participating in his university’s internal moot competition, and securing a service volunteer position at Support Through Court. Other interests include running, family time and travelling. Jack was lucky enough to travel around India and Southeast Asia in 2019.
finalists

Darcy Anderson | University of York | History

‍Maria Barragan | King's College London | English Law and Spanish Law

‍Meera Chauhan | University of Leicester | Law

‍Lydia Fellows | University of Nottingham | Law

‍Katelyn Groenewald | University of Sheffield | Law

‍Alice-Andreea Magean | Nottingham Trent University | Law

‍Caroline Manakit | University of York | Philosophy

‍Ella Quashie | Royal Holloway, University of London | Law

‍Anashwara Shankar | University of Nottingham | Aerospace Engineering

‍Jack Whittaker | University of Salford | Law

The LGBTQ+ Undergraduate of the Year
Joel Mordi
Social Sciences
|
University of East London
Joel is in his foundation year at the University of East London studying social science. He calls himself a proud global citizen, father, brother, son and farmer. But he is also a founder of M.I.F Nigeria, Nigeria’s largest charity focused on achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals. Joel is the organiser and face of Nigeria’s first ever LGBT Pride parade/protest. He is a Young Leader advocate for Safe Passage, part of a group of people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds campaigning for change.
finalists

Joanne Beverley | University of Leeds | Environmental Science

‍Joel Cooper | The University of Warwick | Economics

‍Shea Davis | University of Cambridge | Psychology and Behavioural Science

‍Junaid Lama | Leeds Conservatoire | Popular Music

‍Joel Mordi | University of East London | Social Sciences

‍Luke Muschialli | University College London | Medicine

‍Amaaya Nath | King's College London | Politics, Philosophy and Economics

‍Billy Nicholles | University College London | History

‍Goose Summers | University of Surrey | Economics

‍Sam Winton | University of St Andrews | Economics and International Relations

The Software Engineering Undergraduate of the Year Award
Leah Hughes
Computing Science
|
University of Aberdeen
Leah is currently a penultimate-year computer science student at the University of Aberdeen. She’s always looking for opportunities to advocate for women and non-binary people in STEM and has taken part in several events promoting this including this year’s Lovelace Colloquium. At the beginning of 2020 she took part in Digital Skills Partnership’s National Student Software Development Competition and was fortunate enough to be part of the winning team. In her spare time Leah enjoys volunteering with her local Cub Scout pack and getting out to spend time in nature.
finalists

Megan Crothers | University of East Anglia | Computing Sciences

‍Joe Duin | Edinburgh Napier University | Cybersecurity and Forensics

‍Salma Hassan | University of Sheffield | Computer Science

‍Leah Hughes | University of Aberdeen | Computing Science

‍Tazmena Hussain | Queen Mary University of London | Computer Science

‍Kristina Pavlou | University of Glasgow | Software Engineering

‍Matthew Reynolds | University of Huddersfield | Computing

‍Aaron Vickers | Oxford Brookes University | Computer Science for Cyber Security

‍John Watkins | Cardiff University | Applied Software Engineering

The Female Undergraduate of the Year Award
Oyindasola Bello
Economics and Management
|
University of Oxford
Oyindasola is a first-year economics and management Student at the University of Oxford, where she is on the committee for the university’s leading investment management society, Oxford Alpha Fund. She is also the only student on the committee for 100 Women in Finance, a global organisation through which she seeks to encourage other young women to enter a career in finance. Alongside these commitments, she has secured internships at Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, UBS, EY and now Rolls-Royce. Outside of her degree, she enjoys gymnastics, learning languages (she speaks five so far), a good novel and walks with friends.
finalists

Emily Armstrong | Royal Holloway, University of London | Theoretical Physics

‍Oyindasola Bello | University of Oxford | Economics and Management

‍Marianthi Bitsika | University of Edinburgh | Computer Science and Management Science

‍Sophie Gibson | University of St Andrews | Mathematics

‍Dona Gjyshinca | University of Southampton | Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace

‍Niamh MacDermott | University of Glasgow | Mechanical Engineering

‍Jessica Man | University of Warwick | Chemistry

‍Jolie Meawad | Imperial College London | Mechanical Engineering

‍Amaani Moress | Lancaster University | Mechanical Engineering

‍Aisha Reza | University of Birmingham | Accounting and Finance

‍Katherine Young | University of Sheffield | Aerospace Engineering

The Undergraduate of the Year Award Celebrating Neurodiverse Talent
Rachel Muir
Computer Science
|
University of Kent
Rachel is in her penultimate year at the University of Kent, studying computer science. She currently sits on committee for TinkerSoc, which is a society for individuals who love to create and tinker. She aims to become president next year with the goal of increasing outreach within underrepresented groups of individuals. During her second and third years of study, she assisted a research firm in building bespoke hardware and software with the aim of providing affordable and accessible treatment for mental health issues around the globe. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys playing guitar, gaming, and tinkering.
finalists

Eoin Cunningham | Queen's University Belfast | Maths

‍Jacob Dombkowski | University of Leicester | General Engineering

‍Dan Everett | Imperial College London | Physics

‍Tadhg Foley | Queen's University Belfast | Mathematics

‍Ryan Herbert | Lancaster University | Business Management

‍Lucy Hitchens | Lancaster University | Law

‍Nadra Mohamed-Dahir | King's College London | Economics

‍Rachel Muir | University of Kent | Computer Science

‍Aneesa Riaz | University of Manchester | Mechatronic Engineering

‍Gracie Stavers | University of Bath | Chemistry

‍Kalia Themistocleous | University of Sheffield | Mechanical Engineering

The Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year Award
Samuel Ola
Business Analytics
|
Loughborough University
Samuel is a second-year business analytics student at Loughborough University with a passion for entrepreneurship. During his gap year before university, he started a health technology business, which he led to winning multiple grants, securing a partnership with Portsmouth Hospital, and raising over £50,000 in investment. Outside of business, Samuel loves uplifting students in the Afro-Caribbean community and has served as the President of Loughborough ACS for 2021–22. During his term, he co-founded the Black in Sport Summit, an event gathering together high-profile athletes to inspire students to achieve excellence. Samuel has also completed internships at the likes of Google and the Financial Times.
finalists

Sharon Adebola | King's College London | Politics

‍David Ameyaw | University of Exeter | Law

‍Effie Armah-Tetteh | University of Oxford | Literae Humaniores

‍Canaan Brown | Birmingham City University | Art and Design

‍Jesy Luyengi | University of Manchester | Mathematics with Financial Mathematics

‍Gareth Ncube | University of Portsmouth | Software Engineering

‍Samuel Ola Loughborough University | Business Analytics

‍Mary-Grace Oludoyi | London School of Economics and Political Science | Law

‍Sanchia Sylvester | Queen Mary University of London | BSc Computer Science and Mathematics

‍Annabelle Woghiren | Queen Mary University of London | Law and Politics

The Built Environment Undergraduate of the Year
Sonali Patel
Civil Engineering
|
University of Warwick
Sonali is a civil engineering student at the University of Warwick. She has immersed herself into her undergraduate career by taking on roles of responsibility throughout, including being the head of site visits for Warwick Engineering Society and a student ambassador for her university. She also takes part in outreach activities to inspire the next generation of engineers. In her spare time, Sonali enjoys playing netball and mentoring.
finalists

Ali Aljadri | University College London | Construction

‍Alex Callens | Durham University | General Engineering

‍Ionut Ciuta | University of Sheffield | Civil and Structural Engineering

‍Sulakna Herath | The University of Edinburgh | Civil Engineering

‍Miyu Kudo | University of Bristol | Engineering Design

‍Ria Mistry | Liverpool John Moores University | Civil Engineering

‍Joe Parkins | University of Surrey | Civil Engineering

‍Sonali Patel | University of Warwick | Civil Engineering

‍Kathryn Vest | Lancaster University | Environmental Science

‍Hoi Yui Lai | University of Reading | Construction Management and Surveying

The Management Undergraduate of the Year Award
Yasmin Coffey
Management
|
University of St Andrews
Yasmin is a management student at the University of St Andrews. She has been recognised for her academic achievements on the Dean’s List and elected as a class representative. Yasmin is a passionate advocate for social mobility, recently being nominated for a social mobility award. Yasmin has also completed internships at J.P. Morgan and Vogue. She is proud to have represented Europe and central Asia as part of With and For Girls, allocating funds to charities tackling girl’s rights globally. She has also been heavily involved with societies in St Andrews, holding committee positions in the 93% Club and in women’s rights groups.
finalists

Lucy Blackshaw | Leeds Beckett University | Economics and Finance

‍Yasmin Coffey | University of St Andrews | Management

‍Katy Daniels | Cardiff University | Psychology

‍Farah Hanif | Royal Holloway, University of London | Management with International Business

‍Georgina Miles | University of Lincoln | Business Economics

‍Nikhil Patel | King's College London | Geography

‍Arianna Paladin | Royal Holloway, University of London | Management with International Business

‍Caitlin Samuel-Camps | Birmingham City University |Business Management

‍Joshua Welham | University of Birmingham | Business Management

‍Emily Whyte | Manchester Metropolitan University | Business Management

About the event

Now in its 13th year, the targetjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards brought together prominent employers and talented undergraduates for a prestigious awards ceremony presented by Sue Perkins on Friday 29 April 2022. And, this year, it was back in person.

The 12 awards were partnered by leading organisations: AECOM, CIMA, Clyde and Co, Clifford Chance, National Student Pride, Attitude, myGwork, One Young World, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, HSBC, Rolls-Royce, Skyscanner and Sky. There were fantastic prizes up for grabs for the students involved, including paid internships, meaningful networking meetings with senior executives and even graduate jobs.

This year there were almost 4,000 entries from over 140 different universities across the UK and so becoming one of the 120 student finalists is a huge achievement. The awards are an excellent opportunity for universities to showcase the calibre of undergraduates at their institution, while giving their students the chance to practise the graduate recruitment process and secure positions with internationally recognised organisations.

With all entrants completing an application, an online assessment with situational, numerical and inductive reasoning tests devised by SHL and an assessment day, the employers also have a pipeline of excellent potential candidates for future placements and graduate vacancies.

Both the finalists and the winners showcased an impressive range of skills, experiences and achievements, but what makes an Undergraduate of the Year? It can be hard to define – but all of this year’s winners have made a positive impact on the world around them, whether it involves founding their own charities, finding technical solutions to reach carbon neutrality, tutoring aspiring students from underrepresented backgrounds or championing women’s rights.

We were thrilled to be back in London and able to host the grand final in person and meet not only this year’s finalists and winners but also the winners from 2020 and 2021, who finally get to celebrate their achievements face to face rather than virtually.

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