Top tip: Write your nomination in a word document any copy and paste it in to the nomination form when you are happy with it and ready to submit.
*NEW* My file won’t upload, what can I do?
We have quite a small limit on what can be uploaded as a supporting document (2MB) and this is the same for the supporting photograph. So if you are uploading a supporting document that is bigger than this, it won’t work. You can still submit this supporting document by emailing it to [email protected]. In the email please include: the category, who you’re nominating and the time and date of submission. OR you can upload the file to the internet and include the link in your submission.
*NEW* My supporting file is a video and it won’t upload, what can I do?
Videos tend to be large files, which generally means they are too large to upload as a supporting document. The best thing to do is upload your video to YouTube (you can set it as unlisted if you don’t want other people to see it), save the link in a word document and then upload that as your supporting document.
*NEW* Can I check that you have received my nomination?
When you press ‘submit’ on the nomination page the following image will appear:
This means that your application has been received. Please do not email or phone for further confirmation unless you do not see this page. Over the last few days where people can enter, the phone lines and email inbox get very busy as we deal with all manner of queries. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this.
Can we upload a video as a supporting document?
Yes, but - supporting documents are only used by the judges when they cannot decide between two entries based on the written submission. With that in mind, you should focus on your written entry first and foremost. It may appear to be more creative to submit a video, however the nominations process is established as a 1000-word written submission to make the process accessible to all unions. It also ensures that the judges can fairly pick the shortlist and winner, judging the 1000-word nomination against the award criteria.
We have multiple levels of course rep, for example we have STAR representatives who volunteer at a faculty level, can we enter different types of course rep for the course rep of the year award?
Yes - as long as the person you want to nominate is a student that is volunteering to represent a group of peers. They could be by supporting a team of course reps or they could be a class rep, faculty rep or STAR rep. It doesn’t matter if you offer incentives for people to volunteer for these roles but do make sure that they are making a significant contribution to the lives of other students at the university or college, and try to answer the criteria in your nomination.
*NEW ADDRESS* Can we post any additional information?
To save on administration and paper you are NOT allowed to submit any paper copies of additional items EXCEPT for the Best Student Media category. Address your entries for best student media to: c/o Lisa Pool, NUS UK, Macadam House, 275 Grays Inn Road, London, WC1X 8QB
How many awards can we enter?
You can enter in as many or as few categories as you like, but you are encouraged to enter in every category you are eligible for.
Can we enter more than one person for the individual awards categories?
Yes, there is no limit to the number of individuals from each institution you can enter for the individual awards.
We have several media outlets can we enter them all?
You can enter all your media channels separately if you wish, or if it is branded with one identity (eg Demon at De Montfort Union) you can enter it together.
1000 words isn’t enough space to put everything I want to say, why do you limit the word count?
A good entry should be clear and straight to the point. This word limit helps you think about the most important aspects to include in your nomination.
We’re not looking for the union or person that has had the most outputs, or those that can write the most about what has happened over the last year, we are looking for the best impact/s. Describing the best impact/s can be done in 1000 words or less.
This is the same for job applications and is fairly standard practice for other awards programmes. Think about your language and the points you are making: say more with less.
But what if I want to add something in that doesn’t fit with the criteria?
The criteria are what the judges will be given for them to score the nominations against. If you want to add something that doesn’t fit with the criteria, check whether you are entering the right award and really think about if what you are including adds value to the nomination.
What do I need to put in my entry?
These awards aren’t judged on how much you submit, they are judged on the quality of your submission so make sure you don’t leave it until the last minute to enter!
You can list all the outputs but it would be much more beneficial to tell the story of the impact you have had and answer the criteria. Don’t forget to read your nomination and get someone to check it before submitting it so you can check that it conveys what you need it to. Your nomination form is the one opportunity you have to ‘wow’ the judges with your work.
I don’t see any point in entering because the same unions always win?
Any affiliated students’ union and any student from an affiliated union can enter these awards. The shortlist and winners are selected by a panel of independent judges who read each nomination form and mark it against the criteria.
I’ve entered in to the NUS Wales/NUS Scotland awards; do I have to resubmit my nomination for the NUS Awards?
Yes, it is only the winners of the NUS Wales and NUS Scotland awards that automatically get shortlisted for the NUS Awards.
Don’t panic - the awards ceremonies for NUS Scotland Awards and NUS Wales Awards take place before the close of nominations for the NUS Awards so you will know if you have won or whether you need to resubmit for the NUS Awards.
When and where is the ceremony?
The ceremony will take place on Wednesday 3 July in Manchester.
Will I be able to buy tickets for the ceremony?
All finalists will receive a certain number of free tickets (yet to be determined), but you will be able to buy additional tickets should you want to, price and details to be announced soon.
Will we get feedback if we are unsuccessful?
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide feedback on every unsuccessful entry because of the volume of entries. We will however endeavour to give feedback to shortlisted entries.
Who should I direct any questions to?
Drop an email to [email protected] or call on 0845 5210 262.
