UoG celebrates major success at Association of Photographers Student Awards 2026
University of Gloucestershire students and lecturers achieved a series of major successes at the Association of Photographers (AOP) Student Awards 2026 – including Best in Show, Lecturer of the Year and Course of the Year.
Rupert Allen, who will graduate this year from BA (Hons) Photography (Documentary Photojournalism), received the prestigious Best in Show Award for Church of Coal, a powerful black and white series of photographs portraying members of the mining community.
He receives a £2,500 Fujifilm UK kit, a one-year Capture One Studio subscription and a tailored AOP membership package to support the start of his professional career. The images will also appear in the official 41st AOP Photography Awards Book.
Rupert was also named winner of the People category for the same series of images. The category celebrates a broad range of approaches to photographing people, including portraiture, street photography and photojournalism.
The University secured further recognition when Trudie Ballantyne, Co-Course Leader for BA (Hons) Photography (Editorial and Advertising) and BA (Hons) Photography (Documentary Photojournalism), was named Lecturer of the Year.
The BA (Hons) Photography: Editorial and Advertising programme was named Course of the Year for the fifth time in nine years, further underlining the course’s strong reputation for developing emerging photographic talent.
Two University of Gloucestershire students were recognised as finalists in the Student Awards. Imogen Bell, who also studies BA (Hons) Photography (Documentary Photojournalism), was shortlisted in the People category, while Charlotte Franks (BA (Hons) Photography (Editorial and Advertising)), was a finalist in the Things category.
Established in the early 1980s, the AOP Student Awards recognise and showcase emerging photographic talent from educational institutions across the UK. Many previous winners have gone on to establish successful careers as professional photographers.
Reflecting on the success at the awards, Trudie Ballantyne said: “I always say to students, ‘This is a degree, you have to work hard, be curious, always have questions, but the most important thing is to have fun on the way.’ Thanks to all our students, staff and the AOP for this fantastic achievement.”
Jenny Eastwood, Associate Head (Outreach and Student Recruitment) of the University’s School of Arts, Culture and Environment, said: “These outstanding successes at the AOP Student Awards are a tremendous achievement for our students, lecturers and Photography courses – we’re immensely proud of everyone involved.
“The awards are a reflection of the remarkable talent of our students and the outstanding commitment and dedication of our tutors to providing an excellent teaching and learning environment.”
All images: copyright Rupert Allen