University of Staffordshire has won four categories at the TIGA Games Education Awards 2026 – more than any other university
To have won four TIGA Games Education Awards this year, more than any other university, and to see our students, graduates, staff and industry partnerships recognised in this way is a significant achievement.
Hosted by TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry, the annual awards recognise outstanding students and lecturers, excellent education providers and best practice.
Staffordshire Games Institute scooped two Outstanding Graduate of the Year awards, Excellence in Games Research and Excellence in University-Industry Collaboration.
James Day was named TIGA Most Outstanding Graduate of the Year: Programmer, recognising his achievements on the University’s BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming course.
“This award is an incredible honour and fantastic way to finish my degree,” he said. “I’m hugely grateful to the University of Staffordshire and everyone who supported me, both lecturers and peers, throughout my studies.
“They helped me grow as a games programmer and prepared me for the next steps in my career.”
For BSc (Hons) Computer Games Development graduate Lewis Melia, winning the TIGA Most Outstanding Graduate of the Year: Audio award marks the end of his four-year journey at University of Staffordshire.
He said: “I’m humbled and immensely proud to receive this award after four superb years at Staffordshire, from foundation through to graduating in July.
“None of it happens without the incredible teaching team or the peers and friends who put in the work alongside me. Their support and encouragement means everything to me. The award feels like the perfect note to end that journey on as I head into industry.”
University of Staffordshire also won Excellence in Games Research for StaffsVerse, its Fortnite-based virtual campus. StaffsVerse began as a project developed in-house through the University’s 1UP placement scheme, before evolving into a strong example of applied research and knowledge exchange.
Created by University of Staffordshire games students and staff, StaffsVerse explores new ways of using games technology to engage students and the wider community. The project has already received national recognition, including a Gold Award for Innovative Use of Technology at the 2025 Heist Awards.
Associate Professor Kieran Hicks, Director of the LEVELS Research Centre at Staffordshire Games Institute, said: “Winning the TIGA Research Award is fantastic recognition for StaffsVerse and the work taking place within our LEVELS Research Centre.
“The project explores how virtual worlds can help students get to know their campus and feel more prepared for university life. I’m particularly proud of the staff and students whose creativity and commitment have shaped this research over the past few years.”
Staffordshire Games Institute’s success in the Excellence in University-Industry Collaboration category is particularly significant, marking the University’s third win in the category since 2021.
The award recognises the Games Professionals in Residence programme, which brings experienced figures from the games industry into University of Staffordshire to work directly with students through talks, panels, portfolio reviews, mentoring and mock interviews.
The programme forms part of Staffordshire Games Institute’s wider approach to embedding employability within its degree courses – which was recently recognised with a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) at the Advance HE Teaching Excellence Awards.
Professor Chris Headleand, Head of Staffordshire Games Institute, said: “To have won four TIGA Games Education Awards this year, more than any other university, and to see our students, graduates, staff and industry partnerships recognised in this way is a significant achievement.
“Winning Excellence in University-Industry Collaboration for the third time since 2021 is particularly significant. It reflects the strength and longevity of our approach to bringing industry expertise directly into the student experience.
“Alongside the individual awards for Lewis and James and the recognition for StaffsVerse, these awards demonstrate the breadth of our work across education, industry engagement, research and student success. Congratulations to everyone at Staffordshire Games Institute!”
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