2015 winner
The Future CFO of the Year Award, sponsored by ACCA
Winner: Aataullah Naser, Masters of Mathematics, University of Manchester
Aataullah studied for a masters of mathematics degree. After receiving the Hong Kong Foundation Scholarship, he became a scholarship ambassador working with the alumni relations office to help secure funding for scholarships at Manchester University.
Working with the university finance team, Aataullah began a project to make highly valuable medical equipment at the university become more accessible to research groups and allow collaboration between other leading universities in the north-west. While at university, Aataullah belonged to many societies, including the Manchester Model United Nations Society where he won an 'outstanding delegate' award at a national conference in Leeds.
Head to Aataullah's blog to find out about his experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Alex Quaey, University of East Anglia | Daniel Arnold, Durham University | Daniel Tascon, London School of Economics and Political Science | Laura McKechnie, University of Strathclyde | Lewis Coultas, Robert Gordon University | Maya Patel, University of Liverpool | Oluwanadamilola Payne, University of Birmingham | Ranjeev Juty, London School of Economics and Political Science | Rohan Arora, University of Oxford
The Computer Science Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by CGI
Winner: Chelsea Sievewright, Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures, University of Abertay Dundee
Chelsea Sievewright studied ethical hacking and countermeasures at Abertay University. She acted as a teaching assistant at her university and also completed internships with PGDS and Skyscanner. Chelsea was Interconnects' first student champion at Abertay and was responsible for organising and leading a successful networking event for female STEM students. Over 40 women attended including academic staff and professionals from industry. Chelsea also delivered a talk at the Scottish parliament about her time working with Interconnect and her experience of being a woman in technology. Chelsea is also an active member of her local BCS committee.
Head to Chelsea's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Daniela Florescu, University of Manchester | Emma Wilkinson, Loughborough University | James Grant, City University London | Kamara Bennett, Aston University | Kimberley McGill, Robert Gordon University | Michael Williams, University of Portsmouth | Shaun Smith, University of Sheffield | Yatin Vadhia, University of Surrey |
The Engineering Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by EON
Winner: Jessica Rafter, Integrated Engineering, Cardiff University
Being a STEMNET Ambassador gave Jessica the opportunity to promote engineering to the young generation through teaching in schools. At a self-arranged work placement with BT before university she worked alongside engineers to gain knowledge. She is passionate about world development and volunteered in Uganda for three months in health centres, prisons and school. She was also an avid member of her university's engineering netball team.
Head to Jessica's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Abbie Roberts, University of Birmingham | Ahmad Khan, University of Birmingham | Benjamin Thomas, University College London | Daniel Mannion, University College London | Jonathan Morris, University of Sheffield | Oliver Derham, University of Warwick | Robert Gauld, University of Strathclyde | Sarunas Nejus, University of Sheffield | Sophie Isbister, University of Strathclyde |
The Low Carbon Energy Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by EDF Energy
Winner: Rahul Taneja, Chemical Engineering with Energy & Environment, University of Manchester
Rahul studied chemical engineering at the University of Manchester. As a university ambassador, he demonstrated effective leadership and strong teamworking skills through various roles such as his local chemical engineering society where he was president. Maintaining a strong work ethic, he consistently achieved first-class results in his studies and was awarded numerous academic scholarships while at university. Having interned in a tobacco packaging firm in Singapore, he enjoys travelling and integrating sustainable practises into the workplace. Outside university he maintained a key interest in the financial markets, having been a member of his local trading society. He now works for EDF Energy.
Finalists:
Aman Majid, University of Sheffield | Amelia Mohammed, University of Exeter | Andrew Wilson, Glasgow Caledonian University | Antony Long, University of York | Luthfilaudri Nadhira, University of Manchester | Paul Guillon, University of Manchester | Richard Devereux, University of Hertfordshire | Ryan Farr, University of Strathclyde | Shahid Neki, University of Manchester |
The Management Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Winner: Jonathan (Nathan) Craig, Industrial Economics, University of Nottingham
Nathan studied industrial economics at the University of Nottingham. He acted as a course representative and strove to improve the quality of the learning experience and teaching for future students. In 2014, he was a recipient of the Professional Development for Leadership and Management Award. He has previous experience playing rugby at the highest level, representing Saracens in 2009 and continued this passion through university, representing Nottingham on numerous occasions.
Head to Nathan's blog to find out about his experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Aaron Sherwood, University of York | Benjamin Wylie, University of Bath | Donna Allcock, Leeds Metropolitan University | Jennifer Lawrence, University of Birmingham | Kate Nichols, University of Nottingham | Kyren Routledge, Loughborough University | Lauren Dwyer, Queens University Belfast | Sophie Penny, University of York | Zoe McCleery, University of Edinburgh |
The Languages Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by EU Careers
Winner: Aysel Kucuksu, LLB English and European Law, Queen Mary University of London
Aysel studied English and European law at Queen Mary, University of London. She spent an Erasmus year in Denmark, where she learned Danish alongside studying EU law. She is fluent in five languages.
In her spare time Aysel enjoys travelling and volunteering. When she was the President of the Queen Mary RAG Society, she coordinated the fundraising of £10,000 for local charities. She also volunterred on the immigration team of the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre. Aysel hopes her degree and her languages will help in her efforts to achieve equal access to justice for all.
Head to Aysel's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Alice Reilly, Cardiff University | Anna Tomlinson, University College London | Emma Therer, University of Edinburgh | Jan-Oliver Distler, Lancaster University | Kristyna Schinnenburgova, University of Nottingham | Laura Muehlenkamp, University of Hertfordshire | Lily McConnell, University of Edinburgh | Magenta Zampieri, Durham University | Melodie Klein, University of Surrey | Robert Povall, University of Leeds | Siri Pantzar, University of Edinburgh |
The Mathematics, Economics and Finance Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Gazprom Marketing & Trading
Winner: Katy Barlow, Mathematics and Economics, University of St Andrews
Katy studied maths and economics at the University of St Andrews. In 2014, she was awarded the Nisbet Prize for top performance in management, and was also placed on the university’s Dean’s List for academic excellence. Katy represented second-year economics students on the staff-student consultative committee. Her interests include sport climbing and skiing and, in 2010, she cycled across Switzerland. She has also played tennis for her county and captained the University of St Andrews athletics team.
Head to Katy's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Abimbola Adebayo, University of Cambridge | Alexander Scharrer, Cass Business School | Andreea Amariei, City University London | Dhinta Foster, University of Bath | Goda Dobilinskaite, University of Glasgow | Jacob Stokes, University of Warwick | Jonathon Nicholls, University of Birmingham | Laura Sidhom, University of Manchester | Maria Vittoria Malavolta, Open University |
The Construction, Engineering and Design Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Laing O'Rourke
Winner: Jessica Dowdy, Construction Project Management, Oxford Brookes University
Jessica studied construction project management at Oxford Brookes University and completed an industrial placement as an assistant project leader. As the national award winner of the Women in Property Student Awards 2014, she contributed significantly during her time at university through establishing and leading the Oxford Brookes University Construction Society in addition to becoming student representative for her course. She was also the recipient of the ‘Best Student Award’ for both first and second year. She completed work experience in Dubai and ran the Oxford Half Marathon, raising £1,664 for Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance.
Head to Jessica's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Alexander Baekelandt, University of Edinburgh | Chiril Matei, Queens University Belfast | Christopher Clarke, University of Strathclyde | Elliot Neale, University of Bath | Eric Leung, Imperial College London | Gareth Allen, University of Leeds | Kiera Mudd, University of Leeds | Lucy Stephenson, University of Edinburgh | Pablo Garcia, University of Greenwich |
The Male Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by L'Oréal
Winner: Harrison Dent, European Social and Political Studies, University College London
Harrison studied European social and political studies at UCL and spent a year abroad studying in French at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. Harrison was a member of his host university’s Model United Nations team and participated in the National MUN conference in New York, representing Pakistan in the Human Rights Council. Recognised for his leadership skills, Harrison also attended the Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington, New York and across China and, based on his participation, he was consequently invited to attend Barack Obama’s second presidential inaugural ceremony. Upon graduating, Harrison joined L'Oréal as a graduate management trainee.
Head to Harrison's blog to find out about his experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Adnan Ghor, University of Manchester | Alexander Mäkelä, Lancaster University | Ben Elgar, University of Cambridge | Daniel Huf, University of Cambridge | James King, University of Cambridge | Joshua Graham Smith, University of Manchester | Leon Man, University of Nottingham | Maxime Seguin, University of St Andrews | Rory Bowe, Durham University |
The Future Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Mars
Winner: Lynne Howie, Economics and Finance, University of Strathclyde
Lynne studied economics and finance at the University of Strathclyde. Awarded a Saltire Scholarship in 2014, Lynne worked in Texas with Rolls-Royce and American Airlines as their customer business Intern. In addition she worked for Gleneagles hotel over two summers and during the famous Ryder Cup event in 2014. With an entrepreneurial family background, Lynne has her sights set high. She aspires to one day start up a ‘business with heart’, leading a team of associates while inspiring the generations to follow. A fitness fanatic and health enthusiast, she leads a very active lifestyle too.
Head to Lynne's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Andrew Grindlay, University of Strathclyde | Elliot LaCour, University of Warwick | Etienne Hupp, Loughborough University | Hiran Adhia, University of Warwick | Isabelle Kerr, University of Bristol | Lily Glasson, University of Nottingham | Mike Stokes, University of Bath | Sam Bowen, University of Birmingham | Vaibhav Bhatla, University College London |
The Law Undergraduate of the Year Award
Winner: Cara Goldthorpe, LLB Law with French Law, University College London
Keen to pursue a career in litigation, Cara participated extensively in mooting competitions at university: her greatest achievement was winning the London Universities Mooting Shield with the UCL team. She worked as a paralegal in the Complaints Department at Lloyds Bank (full time during the summer break, part time during the university semester) and, in her first year at UCL, ran weekly ‘Debate Mate’ sessions for a class of primary school students.
Besides law, Cara enjoys creative writing, and her work explores the human condition. She is also interested in history and other cultures, having been on exchange in France.
Head to Cara's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Alice Radford, Nottingham Law School | Amelia Skelding, Durham University | Annabelle Joy, Bangor University | Bryony Gold, University of Bristol | Divya Patel, University of Birmingham | Emily Francis, Durham University |aa Kishan Parshotam, University of Law | Meshaal Choudhary, University of Kent |
The Female Undergraduate of the Year Award
Winner: Aleksandra Pedraszewska, Land Economy (Law, Economics, Environment), University of Cambridge
Aleksandra graduated from high school with 44 points in the IB examination. She studied land economy, combining law, economics and environmental studies at the University of Cambridge. As a president of the CU Polish Society, she co-organised the conference directed at students conducting their research abroad, and initiated a NEXT STEP: POLAND event of active learning about career opportunities in Eastern Europe, with a budget of over £12,000. Aleksandra completed internships in areas of venture capital, sales, law and communications, and led an NGO fighting youth unemployment. She is a keen volleyball player, having represented her university.
Head to Aleksandra's blog to find out about her experience of the Undergraduate of the Year Awards.
Finalists:
Anisha Malde, Imperial College London | Emma Bagshaw, University of Exeter | Emma Yule, University of Edinburgh | Kate Prescott, University of Cambridge | Lois Wentworth, University of Nottingham | Mary Louise Ryall Zuazo, University of Birmingham | Melissa Grant, University of Oxford | Michelle Bolten, University of Edinburgh | Stephanie Baines, University of Manchester |