Innovate UK Immersive Tech Awards

The 2025 awards were launched on 16 January 2025: watch the recording of the launch event here and read more about the opportunities available, with feedback from last year’s winners.

Click here to start your entry for the 2025 Awards. The deadline for entry is 16 March 2025.

In addition to our five categories for university students, we will again welcome over-18s who are not currently studying at undergrad/postgrad level and who do not yet have a job in XR, to enter the Career Breakout Showcase.

Awards competition for UK degree students (undergrad to postgrad, 18+)

These one-of-a-kind awards aim to help connect students to the XR industry. The idea is to discover where the best XR talent is coming from in the UK, and to bridge the pathway from academic learning to real world problem solving through internship opportunities at leading companies innovating with immersive tech.

Supported by Innovate UK Immersive Tech Network’s Advisory Board and Academic Working Group, this is an incredible opportunity for UK students building innovative projects, experiences and ideas for the XR industry. Degree students will be able to submit their work to a judging panel of industry experts for a chance to win a number of prizes, including paid internships with our industry partners. All entrants must be over 18 and registered on a UK degree programme.

About the Awards

The 2025 awards competition details, including categories and Career Breakout Showcase, are detailed here: learn about the internship grand prizes, meet our 2024 winners, and get the answers from our FAQs.

The selected top finalists from each category will have the chance to pitch their work to judges at a Virtual Pitch Day and have private virtual interviews with the grand prize internship companies in the run-up to the awards reception.

All finalists will be invited to showcase their work at the Immersive Tech Network Awards Reception taking place late May/early June (date TBC), where the category winners and grand prize internship winners will be announced.

Awards Categories

5 categories for individual and team entries undergraduate to postgraduate:

• Best Immersive Game
• Creative XR Storytelling
• Sensory
• Technical Innovation
• UX & UI Design

Submissions will be judged on their creativity (including originality and aesthetics), execution, functionality and potential (including innovative approach). Click here to find out more about each category.

Prizes

• Showcase your new XR creations at the awards reception in London
• Enjoy invaluable networking with industry professionals, thought-leaders and innovators
• Win a paid internship and apply your skills in real-world solutions
• Receive tailored mentoring to support your project and career development goals