[Industry news] TIGA Reveals Shortlist for Games Education Awards 2026

This is a press release posted alongside our usual editorial content.

TIGA, the trade association representing the UK’s video games industry, has revealed the shortlist for the TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2026.  These awards recognise outstanding students, excellent education providers and best practice. The winners of the categories will be announced on Monday October 5^th 2026.

Dr Richard Wilson OBE, TIGA CEO, said: “The finalists for the TIGA Education Awards and Graduates of the Year reflect the exceptional talent, commitment and innovation found across games education. These outstanding students, graduates, lecturers, teams and institutions are equipping our industry with the skills and fresh thinking it needs to thrive. Congratulations to everyone shortlisted. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and announcing this year’s winners on Monday October 5th 2026.”

 

SHORTLIST: GAMES EDUCATION AWARDS 2026

TIGA Outstanding Graduate of the Year Finalist: Artist

Manchester Metropolitan University	Natalia Budzich	BA (Hons) Games Art
Bournemouth University	Ethan Smith	Bsc (Hons) Games Design
De Montfort University	Shannon Sage	Game Art BA (Hons)
University of Greenwich	Pranoy Jith	BSc Games Development
University of Greenwich	D’Arcy Everitt	BSc Games Development
University of Hertfordshire	Luke Tan	BA 3D Games Art and Design
University of Portsmouth	Emma Turner	BA (Hons) Computer Games Art
University of Staffordshire	Ruby Dodd	BSc Games Design with Animation
University of Staffordshire	Rowan Bell	BA Concept Art for Games and Film
University of Staffordshire	Oli King	BA Games Art

 

TIGA Outstanding Graduate of the Year Finalist: Audio

University of Portsmouth	Louis Rowlands	Computer Games Technology
University of Staffordshire	Alex Briggs	BSc Computer Gameplay Design and Production
Birmingham City University	Dominic Bassett	BSc Sound Engineering
University of Staffordshire	Lewis Melia	BSc Computer Gameplay Design and Production

 

TIGA Outstanding Graduate of the Year Finalist:

Computer Games Technology

Birmingham City University	Matthew Allinson	BSc Computer Games Technology
Bournemouth University	Jools Davies	BSc (Hons) Games Design
De Montfort University	Jamie Schooling	Computer Games Programming
University of Greenwich	Serhii Kozlov	BSc Games Development
University of Portsmouth	Jake Rose	Computer Games Technology
University of Portsmouth	Emily Kershaw	BSc (Hons) Computer Games Production
University of Staffordshire	Nathan Moody	BSc Games Programming
University of Staffordshire	Jamie Dovaston	BSc Computer Gameplay Design and Programming
University of Staffordshire	Ellie Hayes	BSc Games Development

 

TIGA Outstanding Graduate of the Year Finalist:

Designer 

Abertay University	Finn Link	BA (Hons) Game Development and Production
Birmingham City University	William Harper	Computer Games Technology
Bournemouth University	Chris Furneaux	BSc (Hons) Games Software Engineering
Bournemouth University	Matthew Khan	BSc (Hons) Games Design
De Montfort University	Devon Griffith	Games Production
Norwich University of the Arts	Inez Bailey	Games Art and Design
University of Greenwich	Patryk  Parzelski	BSc Games Development
University of Portsmouth	Michael Hennessy	BA (Hons) Computer Games Design
University of Staffordshire	Jacob Baker	BSc Games Design
University of Staffordshire	Alex Smith	BSc Computer Gameplay Design and Production

 

TIGA Outstanding Graduate of the Year Finalist:

Programmer  

Abertay University	Jack Briggs	BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology
Birmingham City University	Bryce Tingle	BSc Computer Games Technology
Bournemouth University	Lewis Sharpe	BSc (Hons) Games Software Engineering
De Montfort University	Mohamed Mohamed	Games Production
De Montfort University	Ben Leach	Computer Games Programming
Norwich University of the Arts	Oliwia Jakubiak	Games Art and Design (Indie Development)
University of Greenwich	Ishan Choudhury	BSc Games Development
University of Portsmouth	Azura Millea	Computer Games Design
University of Portsmouth	Jasper Levin	Computer Games Technology
University of Staffordshire	James Day	BSc Games Programming

 

TIGA Outstanding Graduate of the Year Finalist:

Production / Enterprise 

Abertay University	Holly Gilles	BA (Hons) Game Development and Production
Bournemouth University	Dougal Bradwell	BSc (Hons) Games Design
Bournemouth University	Timothy Wood	BSc (Hons) Games Design
University of Greenwich	Roberto Scialpi	BSc Games Development

 

TIGA Outstanding Post-Graduate of the Year Finalist

Anglia Ruskin University	Batool Bani Irshid	MA Games Development (Art)
University of Hertfordshire	Simranjeet Singh	MA Games Art and Design
University of Staffordshire	Rafe Maidment	MSc Computer Game Design
University of Staffordshire	Bhaavya Meyhta	MA Games Art

TIGA Outstanding TEC Learner of the Year Finalist

Leeds City College	Caim Hoisington	BTEC Level 3 Extended diploma Games Design
Leeds City College	Callum Pawsey	BTEC Level 3 Extended diploma Games Design
Leeds City College	Mea Bezuidenhout	BTEC Level 3 Extended diploma Games Design

 

Innovative Teaching: Team

Finalists:

• Abertay University
• University of Portsmouth: Computer Game courses
• University of Staffordshire: Game Design, the CoLab Delivery Team

 

Innovative Teaching: Lecturer, Head of Department or Dean

 

Finalists:

• Anna Limpens, Principal Lecturer and Course Leader, University of Portsmouth
• Anthony Martin, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader, University of Staffordshire
• Professor Christopher Headleand, Head of Games Design and Technology, University of Staffordshire
• Davin Ward, Course Director, University of Staffordshire
• David Edwards, Course Director, University of Staffordshire
• Peter Blenkham, Lecturer, University of Greenwich
• Nathan Dewell, Senior Lecturer and Course Leader, Birmingham City University

 

Excellence in University – Industry Collaboration

Finalists:

• Birmingham City University
• University of Greenwich
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Staffordshire

 

Excellence in Games Research

Finalists:

• Norwich University of the Arts: Dr Dean Bowman – Senior Lecturer in Game Studies
• University of Portsmouth: Jahangir Uddin – Senior Lecturer and Course Leader
• University of Staffordshire: Alex Briggs (Student)
• Staffordshire Games Institute (University of Staffordshire): StaffsVerse
• University of Surrey: Dr Jon Weinel – Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer – Games Desig

 

Diversity and Inclusion Award

Finalists:

1. Manchester Metropolitan University
2. University of Surrey
3. University of the West of England

 

Best Student Game

Finalists:

• Abertay University: Loose Juice
• Birmingham City University: Sluggers
• Bournemouth University: Don’t Croak
• Escape Studios: Project Umbrae
• London College of Communication: Gridwalker
• London Metropolitan University: Bunker Bonk
• University of Greenwich: Spectral Evidence
• University of Hertfordshire: Trials of the Past
• University of Portsmouth: Voidloop
• University of Staffordshire: Pelagia
• University of Surrey: Ditsy Bitsy!
• University of the West of England: Pantomime Horse Obstacle Course