Entry guidelines

 

Our awards are free, simple to enter and are open to anyone involved in UK higher education. The information below will help you to prepare your entry.

  • Entry is free
  • When preparing your submission, please review the category criteria carefully, then ensure that it contains sufficient robust information and shows key activity taking place during the 2018-19 academic year.
    We will accept submissions based on projects, initiatives or endeavours that commenced prior to the 2018-19 academic year, provided that core achievements have taken place during this main period of focus. We will also accept any evidence that has come to light after the close of the 2018-19 academic year if this further underlines success.
    In some categories the period of focus may be longer (this will be stated in the specific category criteria), but we still want to see examples of outstanding work during the 2018-19 academic year.
  • The judges will be looking for a good story, well told, and backed up with solid metrics.
  • All entries must be submitted online via www.the-awards.co.uk .
  • When the entry system opens on Friday 1 May 2020, please click ENTER NOW at the top of this page, and select the category you wish to enter. (The deadline for entries is midnight on Wedsnesday 10 June. Deadline extension: 23.59 Monday 15 June 2020)
  • You must register on this website to enter these awards. Your details will not be shared with any third party, and will only be used by us for awards-related communications.
    If you have previously registered to enter our awards, you may be able to use those login details again for THE Awards 2020.
  • As well as populating the ‘Institution’ field on the application form, please ensure that you also enter the team/department name, project name or individual’s name in the ‘Nominee’ field.
  • When logged in, entries can be drafted and redrafted as many times as you wish – just click ‘SAVE’ any time you would like to exit an incomplete submission. Please note that if an entry is currently 'SAVED' (this will appear under 'TRANSACTIONS' in the upper left), you will need to click on the 'Move to basket' button before it can be submitted.)
  • Submissions should consist of up to 500 words of text, specifically addressing the key criteria set out in the relevant category. You may also attach supporting documents. These should be no more than four sides of A4 in total, and may be printed out during the judging process. Please see below for more details about supporting materials.
  • If you wish to submit tables, these should be included within your supporting materials, not as part of the submission text.
  • We are also asking you to compose a shorter version of your submission (150 words max.), which will be published on this website from 10 September if the entry is shortlisted. You will be able to see not just who, but also what you are up against, and others will be able to read the best higher education stories of the year in one place.
    We are aware that some submissions contain confidential information, so please ensure that your edited version is something that you are happy for us to share publicly.
  • You may enter as many categories as you wish, but you must complete a different submission for each one.
    No single submission will be accepted in more than one category. Please choose the most appropriate single category for your entry. If you are unsure which category to choose, please contact david.suter@timeshighereducation.com to discuss.
  • You may also submit more than one entry per category where projects or initiatives are distinctive and unrelated. Otherwise, we advise you to combine the best elements of each in a stronger single entry.
  • Our judges often point out that some promising submissions are based on projects or initiatives still relatively early in their cycle, and that given a further 12 months their impact and success may be clearer. We are happy to consider a project or piece of work a second time, but please update the earlier submission and ensure you highlight activity during the subsequent 12-month period.
  • You may enter a project that has been undertaken in collaboration with an external public or private partner, but the award will be given to the winning higher education institution.
  • If your entry relates to an initiative or project carried out in collaboration with other institutions, the submission should come from the lead institution. In such cases, please enter “ <University name> in collaboration with <university name> ” or, in cases where the institutions are working under a collective banner or project name, “ <Project name> (<list all university names>) ” in the ‘Institution‘ field on the entry form, and we will credit everyone if shortlisted.
    Please note that these awards primarily recognise achievements in UK institutions, but we will acknowledge the importance of overseas partners in collaborative projects. In such cases, the entry should still be submitted by the UK institution.
  • If there is no lead partner intuition, to avoid multiple entries focusing on the same project, please agree who will make the submission on behalf of the partnership.
  • If your entry relates to a collaboration with an external organisation who you would like to credit, please enter “ <Institution>, in collaboration with <organisation name> " in the ‘Institution’ field on the entry form.
  • Entries can be completed by those working at institutions or their suppliers (architects, consultants, PR companies, etc.). If you are entering on behalf of an institution, please make sure they are happy for you to do so.
  • If you are an individual considering submitting an entry, although we do not require written confirmation or authorisation, we ask that senior management and marketing departments are made aware that your entry is being submitted.
  • The shortlist will be published on Thursday 10 September 2020 , with the winners being announced durimg a free virtual ceremony on Thursday 26 November 2020. 

 

Supporting material

As these are downloaded, it would be appreciated if attachment titles could be kept to a minimal length so that they can be opened easily.

  • Documents should be in PDF or Word doc format.
  • Up to two sets of supporting documents may be submitted, but in total they should comprise no more than four sides of A4.
  • Supporting material may include photographs, tables, documents containing statistics, testimonials, supporting research, evaluation or inspection reports, press cuttings and promotional material. Please highlight any sections you believe are particularly relevant. PowerPoint and video files cannot be accepted; however, you may submit screenshots.

Any information submitted outside these guidelines will not be considered as part of the submission.

 

Your entry

    We will send a notification email to all shortlisted entrants just prior to publication on 10 September. On receipt, please cross-check the quoted Nomination Code against the one in your original entry confirmation email, as it is possible that your institution may have submitted more than one entry in any single category.

    The contact details you provide in your entry form will be used throughout the awards process. If these details change after the form has been submitted, please send your new contact information by email to THEawards@timeshighereducation.com.

    Please also use this address if you have any general queries about our awards, or contact David Suter (david.suter@timeshighereducation.com) if you have any questions about eligibility, the category criteria, or the content of your entry.