Welcome to Shine! - the International Student Awards

We’re delighted that you've decided to find out more about Shine!, The International Student Awards. These awards are completely different from other student competitions because rather than focusing on academic achievements, we want to hear about the whole international student 'experience'. Do you play an active role in institution life or get involved in your local community, perhaps through volunteering? Has your new life in the UK changed your outlook and the way you think? Have you developed new interests since settling here, overcome personal challenges or achieved any long-held ambitions or goals? If you can answer yes to any of these questions then we’d love to hear your story.

Click here to find out more about the Awards.

Last year's winner was American student Matthew Morton. Matthew is clear about the many benefits he’s seen from winning the award: “I never expected to win the Shine Award, however, with the terrific relationships and opportunities that have resulted, I'm so glad that I wrote that 'letter home'. I enthusiastically encourage other international students to write and share their stories of the UK.” Click here to read Matthew’s story.

About Shine!

The Awards are different from any other student competition – they don’t just focus on academic achievement, but celebrate the whole international student ‘experience’. Click here to find out more about the awards.

Matthew Morton named as International Student of the Year 2009

Matthew Morton, studying for a Dphil in Social Intervention and Organisational Behaviour at Oxford University, was named as the 2009 Shine International Student of the Year. Matthew learnt he was the winner at a fantastic award ceremony in London presented by Moira Stuart and Nihal Arthanyake, in which all 12 finalists received recognition and praise for their exceptional achievements. Click here to find out more