Prizes

Vice Chancellor's University Prizes

• The Vice Chancellor’s University Prizes are awarded to the students with the highest award mark across all Schools for each campus.
• There is a prize for the highest undergraduate award mark at each campus – York and London – and a prize for the highest taught postgraduate award mark at each campus.
• The award of the prize is subject to a minimum of at least 500 students being awarded their intended award at each level at each campus.
• Being awarded this prize precludes the student from winning a School Prize, or a Vice Chancellor's Achievement Award, or a Subject Prize, or a Dissertation/Final Project Prize. Instead the student with the next highest mark would receive the latter prize.

School Prizes

• The School Prizes are awarded to students with the highest award mark in each School.
• There is a prize for the highest undergraduate award mark in the School and a prize for the highest taught postgraduate award mark in each School.
• Being awarded a School Prize precludes a student from winning the Vice Chancellor's Achievement Award for that School, or a Subject Prize, or a Dissertation/Final Project Prize. Instead, the student with the next highest mark would receive the latter prize.

Vice Chancellor's Achievement Awards

• There are 5 Vice Chancellor's Achievement Awards awarded to the undergraduate student with the highest award mark who fulfils the particular entry requirements detailed below in each School.
• Criteria: entered the programme with up to and including 88 UCAS points and holds no previous degree qualification.
• Being awarded a Vice Chancellor's Achievement Award precludes a student from winning a Subject Prize, or a Dissertation/Final Project Prize. Instead, the student with the next highest mark would receive the latter prize.

Subject Prizes

• Awarded to the student with the highest award mark for the subject prize group, where 10 or more students successfully complete their intended award.
• Awarded to eligible undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, which are organised into subject prize groupings.
• Being awarded a Subject Prize precludes a student from winning a Dissertation/Final Project Prize. Instead, the student with the next highest mark would receive the latter prize.

Final Project and Dissertation Prizes

• Awarded to the student with the highest mark in the designated module(s) for the subject prize group, where 10 or more students successfully complete their intended award.
  Awarded to eligible undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Ann Green Prize for Contribution to University Music

• Awarded to the final year undergraduate student with the highest mark for the Level 6 module 'Ensembles and Leadership' (or other modules as nominated by the Associate Head).

Cindy Benton Award

• Awarded to an undergraduate or taught postgraduate student graduating in November after studying on the York campus.
• The nomination process is not open to research students, including students enrolled for an MRes programme.
• The nomination process is not open to students studying on the London campus.
• This is awarded to a student who has demonstrated engagement in one or more of the following:
  
  • Actively engaged with the community to encourage volunteering amongst younger people.
  • Is part of a volunteer group supporting a local organisation.
  • As part of their studies has developed initiatives with local community groups.
• Nominations are welcomed from eligible students. Full details and tips for completing the nomination are found on the nomination form.
• The deadline for nominations is Monday 3 August 2026.
  Nominations should be submitted to assessment@yorksj.ac.uk using the Cindy Benton Award Nomination form (docx, 52.4 KB).

Institute for Social Justice Student Prize

• Awarded to a York Campus undergraduate student, graduating in November, who has evidenced their investment, engagement and understanding of social justice issues through their curriculum or other opportunities they have taken up at York St John, in a manner that has impacted upon themselves and/or the wider community.
• Nominations are welcomed from current undergraduate final year students. Full details and tips for completing the nomination are found on the nomination form.
• The deadline for nominations is Monday 15 June 2026.
• Nominations should be submitted to assessment@yorksj.ac.uk using the Institute for Social Justice Student Prize Nomination Form (docx, 59.9 kB)

Professor Steve Watson Prize

• Awarded to an undergraduate Business School student who has completed their degree studies in the face of adverse circumstances or whilst sustaining significant personal responsibilities.

The Company of Merchant Adventurers of the City of York Business Innovation Prize

• Awarded to an undergraduate or postgraduate Business School student, in recognition of the innovation demonstrated in their Business Creation Project.

The John Goodricke Prize for BSL and Deaf Studies

• Awarded to the final year undergraduate student with the highest combined mark for the two BSL Level 6 modules.

York Theatre Royal Graduate Prize

• Awarded to a final year undergraduate student, or group of students, studying theatre at the University, for a piece of theatre made in their final year.

Note:

1. Subject-related prizes awarded from the student record system require a minimum constituency of 10 successful students.
2. If 2 (or more) students tie for a prize, then it is awarded as follows. The full cash amount is given to all joint winners for Final Project / Dissertation Prizes and Subject Prizes, but is split equally between joint winners of a Vice Chancellor's University Prize or a School Prize or a Vice Chancellor's Achievement Award.