Preparing Leicester students for the future workplace makes prestigious awards shortlist

The University of Leicester is in the running for three awards that recognise its efforts in preparing students for the future of work.

Widely regarded as one of the world's leading awards for innovation in education, QS Reimagine Education Awards 2026 has shortlisted Leicester in three categories: Developing Emerging Skills & Competencies, Innovation in Business Education and Sustainability Education Action.

Organised by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the awards celebrate pioneering programmes, technologies and teaching approaches that are transforming learning, improving student outcomes and preparing learners for the future of work.

The Developing Emerging Skills & Competencies award recognises initiatives whose primary purpose is the development of emerging and future-critical skills and competencies required for the evolving world of work. The Crossing Boundaries: Transforming AI Education initiative, led by Professor Xue Zhou and Dr Sara Moze, reimagines AI education through six interconnected principles that dissolve traditional boundaries: cross-disciplinary integration, cross-institutional collaboration, cross-role partnerships (students as co-creators), cross-sector engagement with industry, cross-level impact from module to institutional strategy, and cross-boundary innovation blending technology, pedagogy, and ethics. 

They built a scalable, low-resource model that develops emerging skills in students by leveraging existing expertise, fostering communities of practice, and embedding student voice at every stage. Using AI tools such as generative AI chatbots, custom GPTs, AI-enhanced simulations, VR demonstrations, and robotics to create experiential learning environments, students develop competency through practice, not just instruction. The competencies the initiative aims to develop must be exercised in authentic contexts where students interact with real AI systems, encounter their limitations, and make judgement calls. 

Professor Xue Zhou, Professor of Artificial Intelligence in Business Education in the School of Business, said: “I am delighted and honoured to be shortlisted for a QS Award. This recognition celebrates our shared commitment to innovation, inclusion, and excellence in AI-enhanced education. Thank you to my co-lead Sara, teammates and everyone who has supported and contributed to this achievement.”

It coincides with the rollout of full access to Microsoft 365 Copilot to all University of Leicester students from this academic year. By embedding AI into the learning experience, the University is ensuring its graduates leave with the skills and confidence to use the technologies shaping their future.

The Innovation in Business Education Award recognises higher education institutions and flagship programmes that have undertaken transformative change to redefine business education in response to evolving economic, societal, and ethical challenges. The University of Leicester School of Business’s (ULSB) Revolutionary Work-Related Learning project is among those shortlisted for setting new benchmarks for excellence in the field. 

This collaborative initiative reimagines business education by embedding a minimum of 100 hours of authentic, employer-informed learning across every undergraduate programme, reflecting the wider commitment to future-ready education at Leicester. Students address live business challenges, consultancy projects, simulations and professional practice tasks, applying academic knowledge while developing ethical judgement, adaptability and transferable skills. 

Its innovation lies in redefining how work-related learning is recognised, embedded and assessed within business education, including paid or unpaid work, live employer projects, employer-led challenges, authentic industry engagement, enterprise opportunities, simulations using real-world data, volunteering and professional practice.

Aligned with ULSB’s ambition to develop leaders, innovators and change-makers, the initiative empowers every student to become a responsible, future-ready Citizen of Change. Its scalable, curriculum-embedded model strengthens graduate readiness while creating meaningful value for employers, communities and society.

Dr David Houghton, Dean of Accreditation at ULSB, said: "It is fantastic to be shortlisted for this award by QS. The WRL initiative is a university-wide initiative that adds tremendous value, and the wider Business School’s approach to this, as submitted to the QS awards, has been recognised for the value it adds to the student experience and their career potential. Regardless of the final outcome, this is a great achievement.”

Shortlisted for the Sustainability Education Action award, the Sustainability Enterprise Partnership Project (SEPP) module transforms sustainability education into real-world action. As part of this interdisciplinary module, students work directly with local organisations as sustainability advisors, conducting sustainability audits and developing practical implementation plans that businesses can use to inform decision-making and environmental action. 

Since 2022, almost 300 students have taken part, supporting 17 organisations across Leicestershire while gaining Carbon Literacy accreditation and valuable workplace experience. The project demonstrates how universities can equip students with sustainability skills while delivering meaningful benefits for local organisations and communities.

Professor Sarah Gretton, Director of the Education Academy, said: “The Sustainability Enterprise Partnership Project demonstrates what is possible when universities bring together interdisciplinary education, work-related learning and civic engagement. Students are not simply learning about sustainability in the classroom; they are applying their knowledge and skills to real organisational challenges with external partners. 

“We are delighted that this approach has been recognised through the QS Reimagine Education Awards, highlighting the value of authentic learning experiences that benefit both our students and the wider community.”