Four trophies for alumni awards on a desk

The British Council in Türkiye is honoured to be hosting the Study UK Alumni Awards  in partnership with the British Consulate - Istanbul.

When outstanding individuals receive a world-class education in the UK, the effects can last a lifetime! The Alumni Awards shine a light on the impact that alumni of UK higher education institutions are making in their chosen field and how this was sparked by their studies in the UK. 

Meet the finalists

We are delighted to announce this year’s finalists:

Business and Innovation Award

Mehmet Mücahit Arvas  Bournemouth University 
Mesut Can Sefizade  University of Sussex (including IDS) 
Serhat Aydın  King's College London 

Culture, Creativity and Sport Award 

Bala Gürcan Madra  University College London 
Ayşegül Altın  Middlesex University 

Science and Sustainability Award 

Açelya Yılmazer Aktuna  University College London 
Oğuzhan Gündüz  University College London 
Recep Zan  University of Manchester 

Social Action Award 

Selçuk Topal University of Oxford 
Duygu Çavdar Yağan  University of Bristol 
Mavera Yücel  University of Warwick 

Find out more about the Study UK Alumni Awards 2026 finalists and judging panel in the ‘Downloads’ section below. 

The winners will be announced at the Alumni Awards ceremony taking place in Istanbul in March 2026.  

Award winners will have the opportunity to raise their international profile, expand their professional networks and enhance their careers. 

The British Council will offer a prize of up to £2,500 to the winner of each of the main categories in Türkiye for a professional development opportunity of their choice.