Overseen and curated by the University Design Forum in partnership with AUDE. 

The Awards were presented by Trevor Wills, Chair of University Design Forum, at the AUDE Awards event at their conference in Leeds on Wednesday 22 April 2026. This inaugural award recognises small scale, low-budget design interventions within higher education institutions that deliver high-impact. Whether that be refreshing existing spaces or creating new ones; showing how thoughtful design can inspire, support wellbeing and foster a sense of place in higher education. Each of the shortlisted entries was reviewed in person by a member of the judging panel, as experiencing the atmosphere and feel of a space first-hand is essential to understanding its true impact. Our hearty congratulations go to:

The Gold Winner: Abertay University for the Students’ Association Refurbishment.

This submission was praised for being strong and, engaging, supported by exceptionally clear information. It showcased a thoughtful spatial strategy that fostered a genuine sense of belonging and visibility, creating an environment that seamlessly bridges academic and student life. The design approach was inclusive, cohesive, and beautifully biophilic, with an impressive before‑and‑after transformation. The user voice was particularly powerful and the consultation process was thorough, with its influence evident throughout the final outcome. Overall, we felt the result was welcoming, technically innovative, and delivered high impact for its budget; an outstanding and deserving winner. 

The Silver Winner: The University of Lancashire for the Harrington Student Social Hub.

The Bronze Winner: The Glasgow School of Art for the Digital Enabled Active Learning Space.

The University Design Forum and AUDE were encouraged by the strength of the field and the submissions received were of an exceptionally high standard. So, in addition, the entries from the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University were highly commended in recognition of their outstanding work to provide new spaces to meet the needs of neurodiversity within their institutions.

Imaged Credits: AUDE