Enter the SPA Regional Awards 2027!

Student journalists report censorship and funding pressures in landmark SPA survey

Published by Oisín McGilloway

Publication Awards

Best Publication

This award recognises the best student publication in the region and shall take into account their overall relevance to their student community, the quality of content they produce, and the impact of their work. Judges will also consider innovation, accessibility, diversity of coverage and the publication's contribution to student life. Submission details: Include a single-page A4 document (uploaded as a PDF) of supporting evidence (e.g a written statement, images or both) with up to three hyperlinks included (such as a link to your website or specific articles). The document should include a written statement in addition to any images and/or links. Publications of all sizes, formats and frequencies are encouraged to enter. You can still enter this category even if your publication qualifies for Best Specialist Publication (see below); you may enter either, or both.

Best Specialist Publication

This award recognises the best specialist student publication in your region. Whether you are an arts and culture magazine, political periodical, academic journal or any other publication with a specific niche, you are welcome to apply. It takes into account the quality of the content that each publication produces and its contribution to a particular part of the student community, interest or field of study. Specialist publications of all sizes, formats and frequencies are encouraged to enter. Submission guidelines: Include a single-page A4 document (uploaded as a PDF) of supporting evidence (e.g a written statement, images or both) with up to five hyperlinks (such as a link to your website or specific articles). The document should include a written statement in addition to any images and/or links.

Best Digital

This award recognises the best digital presence across student publications in the region. It will take into account the use of digital media across a variety of platforms - whether websites, social media, newsletters, or anything else - and will reward entrants who use innovative methods to engage with their readers and get them involved. Publications will be judged on how effectively and inventively they use digital media to serve their intended audience, with focus on audience engagement over audience size. Publications of all sizes, formats and frequencies that utilise digital platforms are encouraged to enter. Submission details: Include a single-page A4 document of supporting evidence (e.g a written statement, images or both) with up to five hyperlinks to your website, social media posts or specific articles.

Best Design

This award recognises the best design of a student publication, including newspapers, magazines, journals or zines, whether published in print or as a digital edition (e.g. on Issuu). All types of publications, including specialists, are encouraged to enter. The award judges the design and layout of the publication itself, rather than the design of a website. Digital-only publications are eligible, provided they are designed as a publication rather than a website. Submission guidelines: Include a single-page A4 document (uploaded as a PDF) of supporting evidence (e.g. a written statement, images or both) with up to five hyperlinks.

Individual Awards

Best Journalist

Outstanding Commitment

This award recognises outstanding commitment of an individual to their publication over the previous year, going above and beyond the call of duty. Judges will consider the individual's dedication, reliability and positive contribution to the publication and its community. This may include editorial leadership, supporting and mentoring other contributors, developing new initiatives and improving the publication's practices, or making a significant contribution behind the scenes. Submission details: Include a supporting statement of up to 500 words (please upload as a PDF file, clearly stating the nominee's name and your publication).

Best Article

This award rewards the best article written for a student publication in the region. It could be a news story, an in-depth investigation, a cultural feature, an entertainment review, a specialist piece, or any other type of article - but it must stand above the rest. Submissions will be judged on their impact within the student community, whether it has a regional or national focus. Articles submitted in Welsh or Gaelic will be judged by a native speaker. Submission details: Include the article - either as a link, PDF or both - and a supporting statement of up to 300 words (please upload as a single file, clearly stating the nominee's name and your publication).

Best Photographer

This award recognises excellence in student photography produced for a student publication and will consider the quality, creativity, originality and storytelling of the images, as well as their ability to communicate ideas, capture important moments and engage the intended audience. Entries may include documentary photography, photojournalism, portraits, event photography, photo essays, creative and experimental photography, and other photographic work. Submission guidelines: Include a minimum of three photographs alongside a supporting statement of up to 300 words (please upload as a single file, clearly stating the nominee's name and your publication)

Terms and conditions

The deadline for entries is 11:59pm on 20 December 2026. Any work submitted after this time will not be accepted.
Entrants must be students during the current academic year (2026/27) or have graduated last academic year (2025/26).
All work submitted must have been published in an SPA member publication between 18 November 2025 and 20 December 2026. Unfortunately, we cannot accept submissions published in publications which are not SPA members, as we cannot ensure this work is fully student-led. Apply to become a member here.
Work can be submitted in English, Welsh or Gaelic and will be read by a native speaker in each case.
Entries for awards in the individual category must not have previously been submitted to the national awards in 2026 (please note, entries to the 2027 Regional Awards will not be precluded from the 2027 National Awards). Where a portfolio is required, for example, Best Journalist, you may include an article that was submitted to the 2026 National Awards.
The maximum number of entries per category is as follows:
- One per publication for: Best Publication, Best Specialist Publication, Best Digital, and Best Design (Print).
- Two per individual for: Best Article
- One per individual for: Best Journalist, Outstanding Commitment, and Best Student Photographer
If more than the maximum number of entries is received, the SPA will endeavour to query with the publication's editor (for publication entries) or the individual journalist (for individual entries), but reserves the right to accept only the most recent entry received.
Any work that is entered may be used by the SPA for promotional purposes.
As in previous years, there will be no shortlisting for the regional awards this year.
The decisions of the judges are final.

Once you're ready to submit, please do so here.

Oisín McGilloway

Oisín is the SPA's 2025/26 Training and Opportunities Officer. He was the Editor-in-Chief of STRAND Magazine, the arts and culture magazine at King’s College London, during the 2024/25 academic year, when he was also the SPA's London Officer. He now runs his own magazine, mov.r, which platforms young voices in discussions about new filmmaking and video art practice. He is also a regular contributor to publications such as Little White Lies and Film Matters.

Publication Awards

Individual Awards

Oisín McGilloway

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Student journalists report censorship and funding pressures in landmark SPA survey

Publication Awards

Individual Awards

Oisín McGilloway

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