2014 winners
The Undergraduate of the Year Award for Commercial Excellence, sponsored by Nestlé
Miklos being presented with the award from Lizzy Massey at Nestlé
Winner: Miklos Toth, Business Studies with Finance, Edinburgh Napier University
At university, Miklos was a member of the Napier Society of Banking and Finance where, before leaving for his placement, he was actively involved in holding presentations and predicting future trends for gold prices. In his spare time he learned Spanish and enjoyed fitness and swimming, having done Wado-Kai karate for nine years before. As a hobby at university, Miklos also participated in various trading competitions and produced house music.
Head to Miklos' blog to find out about his experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Alicia Lee, Cardiff University Business School | Amy Brown, University of Birmingham | Andrea Angel, University of Birmingham | Becky Fry, University of Liverpool | Evangeline Cody, Cardiff University Business School | George Sanders, Durham University | Olivia Mottashed, University of Birmingham | Ranald Nisbett, University of Aberdeen | Rebecca Shroder, Bournemouth University
The Construction, Engineering and Design Undergraduate of the Year, sponsored by Laing O’Rourke
Brittany being presented with the award from Mark Richardson
Winner: Brittany Harris, Civil Engineering, University of Bristol
Brittany’s interest in engineering spread from a love of science, art, travel and charity development work. In her first year she was involved in EWB and she then became the vice president of EWB Bristol and ran a branch partnership with FRANK Water.
To expand her studies she applied for the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Leadership Award and was successful, which she used to pursue travel and languages to develop a better understanding of different cultures and the potential of globalisation.
Head to Brittany's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Andreea Nestian, University of Sheffield | Callum Alderton, Loughborough University | Calum Roberts, University of Edinburgh | Hannah Reddaway, University of Sheffield | Konstantinos Voulpiotis, University of Bath | Richard Scott, University of Dundee | Sorrella Smith, University of Bath | Thomas Cherrett, University of Bath | William Hooper, University of Southampton
The Engineering Undergraduate of the Year, sponsored by E.ON
Alan being presented with the award from Shirish Suthar, E.ON
Winner: Alan Middup, MEng Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry, University of Sheffield
Alongside his degree, Alan was also the team principal of Sheffield Formula Racing, his universities Formula Student Team, a role that involved managing a team of engineering undergraduates through a racing-car build project. In addition to this, as a STEMNET ambassador, Alan developed a passion for inspiring others to study engineering. Through completing a variety of courses and internships, Alan became a well rounded engineering student, with the aim of pursuing a career as a leader in the engineering profession.
Head to Alan's blog to find out about his experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Amrutha Prince, Heriot-Watt University | Andrea Ibiassi, University of Manchester | Divya Hariramani, University of Nottingham | Douglas Stridsburg, University College London, University of London | Filippo Massarelli, University of Southampton | Imelda McGrath, University Of West England | Kris Thomson, University of Glasgow | Michael Bristowe, University Of West England | Michal Wisniewski, University of Liverpool
The Female Undergraduate of the Year, sponsored by Rolls-Royce
Courtney being presented with the award by Eric Schulz, Rolls-Royce
Winner: Courtney Gill, Land Economy, University of Cambridge
While at university, Courtney successfully captained her university's golf team to a strong victory against Oxford and served as vice president of the Osprey's (Blues Sporting Society). Courtney was also the alumni director of Cambridge's Finance and Investment Society and was selected as a Deutsche Bank Scholar. She spent two summers teaching in Hong Kong and Thailand and served as Chapel Warden of Trinity College. Courtney loves to ski, swim and play nearly all sports. She also enjoys travelling to exotic places and learning new languages. She now works at Rolls-Royce.
Head to Courtney's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Bronwyn O’Neil, University of York | Gabrielle Bourret-Sicotte, University College London, University of London | Galyna Tkalenko, Cass Business School | Ivanina Stoyanova, Aston University | Laura Bilea, University of Manchester | Lorna Tansley, University of Sheffield | Naomi Bullivant, University of Oxford | Sarah Markey, Durham University | Sarah Thomson, University of Strathclyde
The Future Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Mars
Baran being presented with the award by Julie Digby, Mars
Winner: Baran Ceylan, Business Administration, University of Bath
Baran was awarded PwC and Bright-Futures’ UK National Business Champion in 2011, after co-founding the award-winning start-up, Recollar. With his passion and flair for business, he founded Wordme, the Universal Greetings Card Company. Baran obtained financial backing from several investors and secured retailers across the UK. Furthermore, while at university, he accrued over a year's work experience in the UK, Dubai and Turkey, having completed two six-month placements at Unilever and L’Oreal, as well as summer internships at PwC and AkBank. Baran now works for Wrigley, a subsidiary of Mars.
Head to Baran's blog to find out about his experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Aaron Kendell, University of Bristol | Axel-Charles Monin Nyland, Queen Mary, University of London | Chloe Green, University of Southampton | David Timis, University of Glasgow | Dougal Adamson, University of St Andrews | Katerina Leckie, University of Warwick | Louise Atkien, University of Strathclyde | Sofiane Crosier, Universite d'Aix-Marseille
The IT and Computer Science Undergraduate of the Year, sponsored by Marks & Spencer
Derek being presented with the award by Mike Blakemore, Marks & Spencer
Winner: Derek Bekoe, Computer Science, University of Bristol
While at university, Derek was the webmaster of the university’s student newspaper and television society. He worked as a teaching support assistant in his department. Derek won a place to participate in a Google mentoring programme in software engineering and in spring 2013 and summer 2014 he interned at J.P. Morgan. He also received the Bristol PLUS Award, which recognises students who have gained significant professional and life skills through work experience and volunteering. Derek enjoys playing football and tennis.
Head to Derek's blog to find out about his experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
James Grant, City University London | Kacper Sokol, University of Bristol | Ogynan Hayverov, London South Bank University | Olja Rastic-Dulborough, University of Southampton | Philippa Wisniewski, University of Sheffield | Sara Alamoodi, Kings College London, University of London
Languages Undergraduate of the Year, sponsored by EU Careers
James being presented with the award by David Bearfield, EU
Winner: James Ellis, Modern Languages, Newcastle University
Having worked as a teacher in Argentina, in a translation bureau in Germany, at an advertising agency in Bordeaux, and several stints at Disneyland Paris, James is very conscious of the importance of languages for the integration into today’s globalised society, and, while at university, was heavily involved in the Erasmus society at Newcastle. He also spent a summer accompanying a group of human rights lawyers to Colombia to act as an interpreter. In his free time, James enjoys travelling and cooking.
Head to James' blog to find out about his experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Amy Williams, University of Exeter | Andreia Hozhan, University of Glasgow | Hannah Embleton-Smith, Cardiff University | Marchela Georgieva, University of St Andrews | Marie Godet, University of Bath | Marija Litvinaite, University of Leicester | Sabrina Damian, Durham University | Samuel Maitland, University of Bath | Sarah Macdonald, University of Liverpool | Victoria Sillett, University of Surrey
The Law Undergraduate of the Year, sponsored by Mayer Brown
Alexander being presented with the award by Caroline Sarson, Mayer Brown
Winner: Alexander Hughes, LLB (European Legal Studies), University of Southampton
While at university, Alexander regularly participated in mooting and negotiation competitions, notably reaching the grand final of the Thomas Finlay International Mooting Competition in Dublin. He also mentored first-year law students as well as sixth-form students in the local area. Alex’s academic achievements were recognised through receiving two law school prizes for his performance in his examinations. He played rugby at university and his various work experiences led him to pursue a career in commercial law.
Head to Alexander's blog to find out about his experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Alicia Jones, Newcastle University | Anna Rainsford, University of Bristol | Bethany Lair, University of Sheffield | Eleanor Mackereth, University of Sheffield | Hannah Levy, University of Leeds | Richard Mahal, University of Exeter | Sarah Cannam, University of Birmingham | Sophie Warren-Evans, Nottingham Law School | Victoria Halsall, University of Oxford Corpus Christi College
The Low Carbon Undergraduate of the Year, sponsored by EDF Energy
Celine being presented with the award by Joanne Norman, EDF Energy
Winner: Celine Dischamps, Chemical Engineering, University of Manchester
As a committed student ambassador at university, Celine promoted higher education to underprivileged children. She was also a PASS leader, where she enjoyed coaching first-year students. An enthusiastic world traveller, Celine spent a semester studying at the National University of Singapore and was awarded the prestigious Singapore DUO Exchange Award. She interned at Etex's development centre and at BlueCross hospital, volunteered at Lyndon's Art Trust and cycled the Bogle 78 mile charity ride. Celine also reached grade eight level in ballet and played for her university's korfball team.
Head to Celine's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Aaron Thompson, University of Birmingham | Anna Cuanalo, University of Bristol | Anthony Morris, University of Southampton | Bogdan Termegan, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology | Christopher Matthewson, University of Manchester | Digory Smith, University of Cambridge | Jake Clark, University of Leicester | Natasha Dell, University of Southampton | Polly Davies, Loughborough University
The Management Undergraduate of the Year, sponsored by Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Samantha being presented with the award by Jim Burrell, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Winner: Samantha Dartnall, Information Management and Business Studies, Loughborough University
Samantha, originally from New Zealand, studied information management and business at Loughborough University. She enjoyed a 12-month placement with Rolls-Royce in a project management role and was a keen member of the Rolls-Royce hockey team. While at university, she captained the women’s squash team, was a student representative on the staff-student committee, and worked part time at both a conference centre and pharmacy. In her spare time, she loves to travel, manage her own investments portfolio and has a passion for all outdoor pursuits, especially running, equestrian and snow sports among others.
Head to Samantha's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Alexandra Westwood, University of Lincoln | Holly Janes, University of Nottingham | Jessica Dale, University of Warwick | Laura Hall-Williams, University of Leicester | Leanna Mason, Loughborough University | Michael Brooks, University of Nottingham | Alexandra Westwood, University of Lincoln | Sebastian Bosslet, University of Bedfordshire | Terri Cliffe, Warwick Business School | Victoria Botting, Cardiff University
The Mathematics, Economics and Finance Undergraduate of the Year, sponsored by Gazprom
Mark being presented with the award by Alistair Milnes, Gazprom
Winner: Mark Devine, Finance (with year in industry), Queen’s University Belfast
As a keen musician and entrepreneur, Mark began an entertainment business at the age of 16, which he ran until 2012. He studied finance at Queen’s University, Belfast and during his second year he worked at Morgan Stanley within the Global Position Control - Equity Dividends workspace. Alongside extracurricular commitments such as being part of the Queen’s Symphony Orchestra, he set himself an aim of completing the Chartered Financial Analyst level one exam in June 2014, having won an awareness scholarship from the institute.
Head to Mark's blog to find out about his experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Anna Novoselskaya, University College London, University of London | Beth Low, Cardiff University | Claire Chi, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London | Daniel Dobrev, University of Oxford St Peter's College | Habibur Rahman, London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London | Katie Thorne, University of Sussex | Louis Williams, University of Cambridge St Catharine's College | Paul Brimble, University of Cambridge | Sarah Al-Hussaini, University of Birmingham
The Scotland Undergraduate of the Year, sponsored by CGI
Jamie being presented with the award by Alexandra Hopkins, CGI
Winner: Jamie Cooper-Higgins, Marketing, University of Strathclyde
While at university, Jamie held the rank of officer cadet within the RAFvr, enlisted with the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron. He undertook military flight training, overseas training expeditions and philanthropic work during his two-year honourary commission.
Jamie is also proficient in guitar, bass, clarinet, singing and composition. His band, Luca’s Atlas, have released music through iTunes and Spotify.
Head to Jamie's blog to find out about his experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Harley Reiss Slaven, University of Strathclyde | Ian McBride, Glasgow Caledonian University | Kyle Harrison, University of Dundee | Nicolette Ester, University of St Andrews | Peter Prjevara, Robert Gordon University | Teodora Buzea, University of Glasgow