Winners & Highly Commended Finalists 2026

Business school of the year

Sponsored by:

Business remains one of the most in-demand fields for internationally mobile students, and its importance continues to grow as global industries evolve. This award recognises institutions that are redefining how business programs are being delivered for today’s learners. With the workforce shifting rapidly, how are you adapting and leading change? This category honours education institutions that demonstrate strong innovation, responsiveness, and impact in supporting international students and preparing them for their future career.

Winner

BPP University Business School, UK

Description

BPP transformed its programs to meet learner needs through curriculum, digital  skills and employer- informed enhancements. 

Highly Commended

Greystone College, ILSC Education Group, Canada

Championing diversity, equity and inclusion award

Sponsored by:

International education and study abroad experiences have the power to transform lives, yet financial, social, and structural barriers continue to limit access for many students. This award recognises organisations that are actively breaking down those barriers and expanding participation among underrepresented groups. From inclusive recruitment strategies to tailored support services, we celebrate those making international education more equitable – and ensuring a wider, more diverse community of students can access global learning opportunities.

Winner

Phoenix Space, UK

Description

This scheme removed administrative barriers in order to help Gazan students with confirmed UK  university places to restart higher education.  

Highly Commended

The University of Bristol, UK - Think Big Scholarship & Development Programme

Digital innovation of the year – learning

Sponsored by:


Digital learning is continuing to evolve quickly, with new tools and platforms, including the use of AI, enhancing how educators teach and how international students learn. This award recognises institutions and organisations that are effectively leveraging technology to improve learning outcomes, strengthen digital teaching practices, and expand access for learners across borders. We celebrate innovative solutions that elevate online, hybrid, or tech-enabled education in today’s dynamic digital environment.

Winner

Efekta Education, Global

Description

This ground-breaking ELT platform combines cutting-edge AI with proprietary curricula and decades of pedagogical expertise. 

Highly Commended

Monash College, Australia

Digital innovation of the year – student recruitment

Sponsored by:


Digital transformation has been redefining how institutions attract, engage, and support prospective international students, who expect seamless, personalised, rapid, and transparent recruitment experiences. This award recognises organisations that are leading this evolution through impactful digital solutions that enhance the applicant journey, expand global access, and enable better-informed study decisions. We celebrate innovators setting new standards for effective, tech-driven international recruitment.

Winner

Platty, Australia & The University of Akron, US - Omnichannel Campaign

Description

The Omnichannel Campaign reached over two million people, generated 3,705 leads, and improved conversion across Vietnam and Indonesia. 

Highly Commended

Candidate Digest by House of Education, Sweden

Emerging leader of the year

Sponsored by:


This award recognises rising leaders with 10 years or less work experience who are already driving meaningful impact within their organisation and the wider international education sector. We celebrate individuals whose contributions go beyond the expectations of their role and demonstrate exceptional initiative, influence, and promise for the future.

Winner

Serhii Kosianenko, IHCL, UK

Description

Serhii created IHCL, the first joint UK-Ukraine college, combining AI-integrated British curricula with humanitarian support.

Highly Commended

Rekha Magon, Boundless Life, Canada

Employability international impact award

Co-sponsored by:


International study is often driven by an objective to enhance long-term career prospects. This award honours organisations that are actively improving the potential employability outcomes for their international students. Whether through innovative teaching, enhanced career support, or new initiatives that better prepare learners for the global job market, this category recognises those delivering a demonstrable impact on international graduates’ ability to secure meaningful employment post-graduation.

Winner

Cormack Consultancy Group & Virtual Internships, UK - Ukraine Global Employability Initiative

Description

This scheme provides  virtual internships for Ukrainian students, linking internationalised university curricula with real employer experience. 

Highly Commended

University of Galway, Ireland - Global Employability Team

Excellence in data and insight

Co-sponsored by:

                 

This award celebrates organisations leveraging modern data capabilities to transform decision-making and improve the international student experience. As the sector shifts from relying on historical trends to using real-time insights, dashboards, and advanced analytics, we highlight initiatives – across private, public, or collaborative efforts – that demonstrate excellence in using data to drive smarter planning, greater efficiencies, and more accurate and responsive support for globally mobile students.

Winner

Explore, UK - Student whitepaper series

Description

This longitudinal intelligence platform helped partner universities achieve a 28% average application growth with a 92% admission rate. 

Highly Commended

UCAS, UK - UCAS Tracker

International alum of the year
Co-sponsored by:
             
Alumni success stories play a vital role in demonstrating the transformative power of an international study experience. The International Alum of the Year Award recognises outstanding international graduates who have made a significant contribution to their institution, profession, industry, and/or wider community. This award celebrates graduates whose journeys serve as powerful examples for current and prospective international students.
Winner

Monique Farquharson, Jamaica - Aston University, UK

Description

Monique is a food, drink, and wellness maven whose international experience drives her work. She mentors MBA students, supports international alumni engagement, and champions ethical innovation. 

Highly Commended

Oluwadamilola Iyanda, Nigeria - Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) & Birmingham City University (BCU), UK

International student recruitment organisation of the year

Sponsored by:


Student recruitment is central to a thriving global education sector, and this award recognises organisations that demonstrate excellence across the entire recruitment journey. From innovative practices and global partnerships to strategic growth, portfolio diversification, and exceptional student support, we celebrate those setting new standards in international recruitment.

Winner

SEED Global Education, UK

Description

SEED engaged 420,000+ students through revamping its recruitment platform and introducing a new lead engagement system. 

Highly Commended

Studyportals, Netherlands

Language training provider of the year

Sponsored by:


This award recognises language training providers that deliver exceptional learning experiences and empower students (domestic or international) to become confident and capable communicators in another language. We recognise organisations that go beyond industry norms through innovative teaching, outstanding student support, and/or forward-thinking approaches that elevate the language-learning journey. 

Winner

Efekta Education, Global

Description

Through Efekta’s AI teaching assistant Addi, students see an average proficiency gain of over 30% compared to traditional learning methods. 

Highly Commended

New Zealand Language Centres, New Zealand

Marketing campaign of the year

Co-sponsored by:

                

This award celebrates creative and impactful marketing campaigns that have successfully engaged audiences and elevated brand presence within the global education sector. We recognise campaigns of any scale that demonstrate strong results (whether through reach, resonance, or measurable impact) while also considering the resources and budget available. 

Winner

RMIT University, Australia - What the future?! Global brand campaign

Description

This playful campaign used humour, music and theatrical storytelling to help lift enrolment applications by 8%. 

Highly Commended

Griffith University, Australia - Griffith International ‘Make It Matter’ global brand campaign

Membership organisation of the year

Co-sponsored by:

               

This award recognises membership organisations that deliver exceptional value to their communities, going above and beyond standard expectations, to provide meaningful support, advocacy, and other services. We celebrate organisations whose work in 2025 has had a significant and/or lasting impact on their members and the wider international education sector.

Winner

NISAU: National Indian Students and Alumni Union, UK

Description

NISAU’s groundbreaking survey of Indian international students directly informed advocacy and program design across the UK-India education corridor. 

Highly Commended

IIE: Institute of International Education, US - Global E3 membership consortium

Outstanding contribution to the industry

Sponsored by:


This award honours individuals who have played a transformative role in shaping the global education sector. Open to nominations made on behalf of others, it recognises those whose career-long leadership, influence, or innovation has driven meaningful and sustained change. 

Winner

Lil Bremermann-Richard, Uruguay

Description

As Group CEO of Oxford International, Lil has driven global expansion, innovation, and inclusion, supporting over 580,000 students. 

Partnership of the year

Sponsored by:


Cross-sector and collaborative partnerships continue to shape the future of global education, spanning recruitment, articulation agreements, market development, student accommodation, and digital delivery, as examples. This award recognises outstanding partnerships that achieved notable impact in 2025 by leveraging complementary strengths to enhance services, expand opportunities, and drive meaningful innovation for international students.

Winner

Learna & The Harwood Charitable Trust, UK - Widening global access to postgraduate medical education

Description

This partnership provided expert online delivery, and validated qualifications to empower healthcare professionals across developing countries. 

Olin College, US & Kyiv School of Economics, Ukraine - Re-shaping engineering education for Ukraine’s future

Description

This partnership created a new-model undergraduate engineering program for students in a country designing its future even as it fights for survival. 

Highly Commended

Greystone College & Sickkids Hospital, Canada - Communication in Healthcare

PIEoneer of the year

Sponsored by:

 

Our flagship award, PIEoneer of the Year, celebrates organisations that are redefining what is possible in global education. This category recognises transformative initiatives that have moved beyond concept or pilot stage and demonstrate tangible, sector-wide impact. 

Winner

Technovation, US

Description

Through Technovation’s project-based learning, students build real technology solutions to community challenges. 

Highly Commended

The Outreach Collective, India

Progressive education delivery award


This award celebrates education programmes that are reimagining how learning is designed, delivered, and measured, specifically for international students. We recognise initiatives that significantly innovate pedagogy, and provide culturally responsive, globally relevant learning experiences - empowering international students to thrive academically, socially, and professionally in a rapidly evolving 21st-century world.

Winner

THINK Global School, US

Description

This traveling high school offers students place-based learning across eight countries, tackling interdisciplinary projects that build curiosity and global responsibility. 

Highly Commended

University of the West of Scotland, UK & Ukrainian State University of Railway Transport, Ukraine - MSc Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Management Programme

Secondary school international innovation award

Sponsored by:


This award recognises secondary schools that are pioneering new approaches to global education, specifically for international students - cultivating creativity, STEM skills, entrepreneurial thinking, and global citizenship from an early age. We celebrate schools that are redefining the international student study experience and preparing students to thrive academically, socially, and professionally in further and higher education, and/or the global workforce.

Winner

Minerva Virtual Academy, UK

Description

MVA’s flipped learning model proves that parents don’t  need to choose between academic rigour, pastoral care, and flexible learning. 

Highly Commended

GEMS Modern Academy, UAE

Student support award

Sponsored by:


Supporting international students holistically is essential to their success. This award recognises organisations offering innovative and effective support at any stage of the student journey – across wellbeing, academics, language, finances, accommodation, faith, community integration, and more. We celebrate initiatives that create inclusive environments where international students feel supported and empowered.

Winner

Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), Malaysia - International Student Arrival Centre (ISAC)

Description

EMGS’s pioneering  International Student Arrival Centre (ISAC) at KLIA Terminals 1 and 2 ensures every student arrives with confidence and warm Malaysian hospitality. 

Highly Commended

Phoenix Space, UK

Study abroad and exchange experience of the year

Sponsored by:


This award recognises institutions and organisations delivering innovative, high-impact, short-term study abroad and/or exchange programmes or experiences. It celebrates creative approaches that broaden global perspectives, develop future-ready skills, and/or open pathways to non-traditional destinations, redefining how global learning is experienced, and shaping globally-minded citizens.

Winner

GAP Africa Projects, UK

Description

This 12-night study combines wildlife research with adventure-based learning across two South African reserves, reaching  354 students. 

Highly Commended

The University of Delaware, US - World Scholars Program

Sustainability international impact award

Sponsored by:


As sustainability takes on increased urgency, this award recognises organisations in global education that are embedding environmentally responsible practices into their operations. We celebrate initiatives (local or global) that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and drive measurable progress toward a more sustainable and globally responsible international education sector.

Winner

Sunway University & Lancaster University, Global - Future Cities Research Institute

Description

This landmark collaboration engaged over 4,000 students in community-based sustainability learning, delivering more than 200 projects in a single semester. 

Highly Commended

University of Sussex, UK – Forest Food Garden

The Charlene Allen award for inspirational leadership

Supported by: 


In memory of Charlene Allen, former Chair of BUILA and Co-founder of the IC Global Partnership, this award celebrates female leaders with 10+ years’ of experience in the global education sector. They will have made an exceptional impact, driving meaningful change within their organisation, shaping the wider industry beyond the expectations of their role, whilst demonstrating inspirational leadership. 

Winner

Dr. Miri Firth, University of Manchester, UK

Description

Miri is a world-class leader in flexible assessment and employability education. Her National Framework for Flexible Assessment now impacts over 300,000 students. 

Highly Commended

Heidi Piper, Griffith University, Australia

Eylem Atakav, University of East Anglia, UK