UCM (University College Isle of Man) celebrated the success of its students at the 2026 UCM Awards, recognising outstanding achievement, dedication and resilience across the college’s community.
The ceremony, held at the Villa Marina, honoured more than 60 students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their studies, striving for excellence throughout their time at UCM.
This year’s event was compered by UCM alumnus Percy Hampton, host of the What’s the Skeet podcast, who brought energy and humour to the evening while reflecting on his own journey since studying at UCM.
Guests also heard an inspiring speech from special guest speaker Tom Hull, a UCM engineering alumnus who is currently studying for his PhD. Tom spoke candidly about his experience of coming to UCM after not achieving the A-level results he had hoped for, and how the support and opportunities he found at UCM helped him discover his passion for engineering, ultimately leading him to academic success and a clear career path.
During the ceremony, Sorcha Wade was awarded the Student Engagement Award, while Harley Cowley was named Student of the Year and James Smith received the Apprentice of the Year award.
Jesamine Kelly, UCM’s Principal, said: “For everyone at UCM, this ceremony is something we all really look forward to; celebrating the journeys our students have been on and recognising their success. It’s always inspiring to see how far our students have come and to share in that achievement with their families, friends and tutors. We were also delighted to welcome former students to take part in the event. Their experiences are a real inspiration to our students as they take their next steps.”
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s Managing Director, Brian Thomson, added: “We were delighted to sponsor this year’s UCM awards, which celebrates the successes of those completing their courses at UCM. The achievements from these students highlights the strength of the Isle of Man community for the future.”
