We are delighted to see IHE Members Escape Studios, pointblank music school and ESCP School of Business recognised in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2026 shortlists.
Shortlisting in the highly competitive 22nd edition of the THE Awards is a significant achievement, with more than 500 entries received, 125 finalists selected across 20 categories, and 75 unique institutions represented. It reflects the outstanding quality and impact of each institution's work, and demonstrates the strength and diversity of a higher education sector in which providers of all sizes and specialisms play an important role.
Escape Studios and pointblank music school are both finalists in the Specialist Institution of the Year category, which recognises exceptional performance through creative leadership and effective management across the institution's core functions.
ESCP Business School has been shortlisted in the Business School of the Year category, which recognises outstanding overall performance and the bold strategies and initiatives that have helped the institution to improve and flourish.
Professor Ian Palmer, Principal of Escape Studios, said:
"We're delighted to be shortlisted for Specialist Institution of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards. We pride ourselves in staying at the forefront of the fast-moving sector that is the Creative Industries, and this is testament to our ability to do that. To be listed amongst such fantastic institutions, all leaders in their fields, including fellow IHE Member pointblank music school, shows the richness and diversity of the UK higher education sector, and the quality and opportunity that small, specialist providers like ourselves offer. We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support of our industry partners, as well as the amazing talent and hard work of our students, and we are proud and honoured to be in the running for this prestigious award."
Jules Brookes, Managing Director of pointblank music school, said:
"We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for the Specialist Institution of the Year award. It is immensely satisfying to see small, specialist higher education recognised and appreciated in such a prestigious arena. When Times Higher Education launched the Specialist Institution of the Year award, it brought with it a chance to champion what specialist providers can do and we are grateful to them for the opportunity. To be shortlisted alongside such impressive providers is a real honour.
"As a team, we have worked hard to cultivate a learning environment that delivers exceptional experience and high quality outcomes for our students. Our specialism delivers our students to the forefront of the industry, with exemplary skills. We’re incredibly pleased to receive this recognition."
Professor Marie Taillard, Dean of ESCP Business School London Campus, said:
“We are delighted to be shortlisted for Business School of the Year. This recognition reflects what we believe a business school should do: give students the knowledge, experience and confidence to succeed in a changing world, while living up to our responsibility beyond the classroom within the broader local, national and global economies.
“During 2024–25, we combined innovation across our six European campuses with our strong commitment to London’s business, government and social ecosystems, creating new opportunities for our students and the organisations and communities we work with. We are extremely proud that these collective efforts place us among the very best business schools across the UK and Ireland.”
We wish all shortlisted institutions the best of luck and look forward to celebrating IHE Members' achievements at the awards ceremony on Thursday 26 November 2026.
The representation of IHE Members in the shortlists demonstrates the strength and diversity of a higher education sector in which providers of all sizes and specialisms play an important role.