Student from Bradford wins prestigious national award

With a reduction in available graduate roles, fierce competition for jobs, and the freeze on student loan repayment thresholds, many students have been left wondering whether university is still ‘worth it.’ 

A spokesman added: "Leena’s inspirational story shows that for many students, university still has the power to transform lives for the better.

"From growing up in Bradford to winning the Creative Industries Award, she has come a long way. 

Growing up as a young carer, Leena had to balance her caring responsibilities alongside studying for her GCSEs.

She was home schooled until age 16, and then attended a sixth form where it was rare for pupils to aspire to attend university. 

Reflecting on her upbringing, Leena said: “Growing up in West Yorkshire has made me appreciate the importance of representation and visibility.

"Seeing people from similar backgrounds pursue higher education or professional careers helped make those goals feel more achievable.”

She now studies English Language and Literature at the University of Leeds, where she has just finished her first year. 

Alongside her degree, Leena dedicates her time to building two online communities: one focused on literature and culture, and the other on widening access to higher education.

Reflecting on the power of role models and visibility, Leena said she wanted to “create content that makes information about higher education and complex ideas more accessible to wider audiences.”

In under a year, she has gained 3,000 followers and received 146,000 views on TikTok. 

Due to her passionate advocacy, Leena received the Creative Industries Award at this year’s Student Social Mobility Awards. 

At the awards ceremony, undergraduate nominees from working class backgrounds were recognised for their grit and determination to thrive at university. Now in their eighth year, this summer’s awards celebrated those who are now facing the most challenging job market in decades – and are still determined to come out on top. 

Despite significant improvements in working class access to university in the UK, this does not automatically translate into career success or long-term social mobility. Research shows that working class students are less likely to complete an internship than their more privileged peers, and that they are less likely to secure a highly-skilled graduate job, even when they achieve higher grades than their classmates. 

Organised by the award-winning social mobility charity, upReach, the awards recognise students who have excelled in their field and demonstrated great resilience, determination or initiative. The awards also showcase the outstanding work being done by mentors, employers, and universities to transform social mobility across the UK. 

upReach currently provides personalised 1-to-1 career support to 3,200 students – including over 180 from Yorkshire and the Humber. 

upReach CEO, Nick Bent, comments, “Talent is everywhere, but young people are often held back by things outside of their control. Now more than ever, it is imperative to uplift those who have worked tirelessly to succeed, and who are bringing new life to social mobility in the UK.” 

Having overcome significant class barriers and mitigating circumstances, Leena is an inspiring role model for those from similar backgrounds, encouraging them to set their ambitions high.

Offering advice for other young people growing up in West Yorkshire, Leena said: “My biggest piece of advice would be not to rule yourself out of opportunities before someone else has the chance to.

"Many students from underrepresented backgrounds can feel that certain universities, careers, or programmes aren't designed for people like them, but applying can often be the most important step.” 

The 2026 awards have been generously supported by Bank of America, Slaughter and May, the Royal Academy of Engineering, G-Research, and iQ Student Accommodation.

Their sponsorship not only covered the costs of hosting the awards ceremony, but also enabled nominees from all over the UK to attend with their travel and accommodation costs covered.

The ceremony was hosted at Drapers’ Hall in London, the venue of the historic Drapers’ guild of merchants.