ABOUT THE QSAs

AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND EARLY CAREERS PROFESSIONALS

Launched in 2021, The Queer Student Awards (QSAs) are the U.K.’s first standalone annual student awards event celebrating LGBTQ+ students, apprentices, interns and graduates who are proudly leading in their lives, and the communities around them.

The awards also recognise the work that individual allies, schools, colleges, universities and employers are doing to create inclusive spaces that support young LGBTQ+ people - many of whom worry about whether sharing their sexuality and gender identity will act as a barrier to their future success in the career of their choice.

THE QSA DIFFERENCE

A NEW HOST CITY OR TOWN EVERY YEAR

We host the awards in a different UK city each year to reflect the fact that Queer people live all over the UK and to make the event more accessible for those who live outside of London where most LGBTQ+ awards take place.
WE ARE AN INCLUSIVE AWARDS EVENT

In addition to celebrating LGBTQ+ students and early career professionals, our categories also recognise schools, colleges, universities and student employers to ensure everyone involved in the student journey is in the room.
TICKETS FOR STUDENTS ARE FREE

Student finances are difficult enough to manage without having to budget to attend events hosted for them. All students attending the QSAs do not pay for their tickets.
A FOCUS ON SHARING FINALISTS’ STORIES

Students gave us feedback that they wanted to know more about the work that their peers and allies are doing, so we introduced spotlighting the individual finalist stories at shortlisting.
A TRANSPARENT JUDGING PROCESS

There is often a shroud of mystery when it comes to the judging process behind many awards celebrations. We are transparent about what happens between people submitting nominations and the winners being announced.
A DIVERSITY FOCUSED JUDGING PANEL

Each year the QSA judging panel features a diverse selection of LGBTQ+ role models, respected community advocates and DEI/student recruitment professionals. We also ensure that all judges receive training on unconscious bias before they commence their role.
GIVING BACK AND NURTURING TALENT

LGBTQ+ students who have previously been a finalist are invited to join the judging panel and in 2025 we invited one of our inaugural winners to host one of our pink carpets whilst managing social media for us - a paid work experience opportunity for them.
DONATING TO LGBTQ+ CHARITIES

The QSAs have partnered with LGBTQ+ inclusion charity Diversity Role Models since 2021, donating £3,381.42 to them which has helped to fund 20 sessions in UK schools and colleges. In 2025 we also donated £500 to x2y - a charity chosen by our ‘Queer of the Year’ Adam.
PLATFORMING LOCAL QUEER TALENT

Feedback from LGBTQ+ students attending previous awards suggested entertainment be more ‘current’ and representative of the local area where the awards are hosted each year. We’ve taken this onboard and QSA2025 featured young queer talent sourced locally to Liverpool including a recent graduate from the university.
THE GREEN SIDE OF THE QSAs

We signed the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance pledge in 2022, committing ourselves to reducing the impact the QSAs have on the environment. We work hard to minimising printing, reuse decor and partner with eco-friendly suppliers as much as we can. FIND OUT MORE HERE.