The Herald Education Awards 2026 winners announced - see full list here

The Herald Education Awards 2026 celebrated outstanding achievements across Scotland’s further and higher education sectors, with 18 accolades presented to staff, students, and organisations. The event, held at the DoubleTree hotel, brought together over 300 representatives from colleges and universities nationwide. Among the winners was a collaborative initiative between Glasgow Clyde College and Celtic Football Club, which received the Partnership Award for its Celtic Coaching Pathway aimed at developing future senior club coaches. Other notable winners included the University of Aberdeen and North East Scotland College, honored with the Widening Access Award for their Gateway2Medicine campaign that supports students from under-represented backgrounds in gaining access to medical degrees. Glasgow Clyde College also secured two awards: the Enhancing Student Learning Award for a project revitalizing Harris Tweed for modern audiences, and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award for its efforts to improve English language learning and social integration among refugees. The awards highlighted innovative approaches to education and social impact, such as the Innovative Use of Technology category, won by a project focused on creating dementia-friendly spaces. Marketing and engagement efforts were also recognized, with the University of Glasgow’s Mandarin-language campaign targeting Chinese Gen Z students winning Marketing/PR Campaign of the Year. New College Lanarkshire received accolades for its collaboration with the Scottish Institute for Dental Education to address workforce shortages through multi-level qualifications. Additionally, Robert Gordon University’s Hub Widening Access Model, which engages secondary school pupils to facilitate entry into higher education, was awarded Partnership with Schools. Individual achievements were acknowledged as well, with Brooke MacFadyen from New College Lanarkshire receiving the Outstanding Contribution from a College Student award. The event underscored the commitment of Scotland’s educational institutions to innovation, inclusion, and expanding opportunities for diverse student populations, reflecting broader efforts to enhance access and engagement across the tertiary education landscape.