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Careers, Employability and Enterprise
The bustling Careers and Enterprise Centre entrance in the Palatine Centre

Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Awards 2025

These awards recognise and promote the outstanding contributions and achievements both off and on campus of students who combine part-time work alongside their studies.

We celebrate exceptional students and excellent employers through five awards categories. Prizes will be awarded to the winners in each of the five categories below.
Thank you for your interest in nominations. The nomination period has now ended.
The audience sitting at tables at the SEOTY Awards 2024

SEOTY Timeline

Nominations launch: Friday 7th February 2025

Nominations close: Sunday 9th March 2025

Notification of shortlist/invitations: between Monday 17th March and Friday 21st March 2025

Awards Ceremony

The winners will be announced and the SEOTY Awards presented at a ceremony to be held at The Hub, Mount Oswald, on Wednesday 30th April 2025.

Requirements for Nominations

Students can nominate or be nominated as follows: 

  • Have to be a registered student for the academic year(s) 2023/24 and/or 2024/25. 
  • The work must have taken place between 1st May 2024 - 23rd March 2025 and was either a part-time job, short-term internship, vacation work or a summer placement, or have engaged in a personal development programme. 
  • For individual nominations, students must have worked a minimum of 50 hours within the duration mentioned above. 

Employers can nominate or be nominated as follows: 

  • They have employed a Durham University student who was a registered student for the academic year(s) 2023/24 and/or 2024/25. 
  • Multiple nominations can be submitted, but a new form will need to be completed.

 

Award Categories

You can nominate yourself, a student, or an employer for one or more of the categories below.

Above and Beyond Award

We are looking for exceptional students who go above and beyond in the work they do.
A purple mountain with a flag on a pink background

Step Up to Leadership Award

This award aims to identify and recognise the leaders of tomorrow, today.
SEOTY Step up to Leadership Award icon, person climbing a mountain

Internship and Vacation Work Award

We want to hear about students who have made a positive impact to an organisation through their internship or vacation work.
Employee badge

Employer of the Year Award

This is an award to recognise excellent student employers who have provided students with development opportunities.
Purple rosette

Personal Development Champion Award

This award recognises a student who has shown exceptional commitment to their personal and professional growth.
A stack of hands gesturing team work