Exeter students win prestigious national award

Two University of Exeter students have won at the 2026 Student Social Mobility Awards.

Due to their outstanding achievements in and outside of university, Uashar Badakhshan and Zohra Amin have received the Academic Success Award at this year’s awards – which celebrate students who have overcome adversity to succeed in their studies and beyond.

Uashar, a final year Medical student, has achieved among the highest grades of his cohort, received a prestigious Wellcome Trust Scholarship, and presented award-winning research on ethnic health inequalities internationally.

He said: “This award is a reminder that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Growing up, a career in medicine often felt beyond reach but the encouragement, mentorship, and opportunities I received through organisations and individuals who believed in me changed the course of my life.

“Receiving this award is not only a celebration of my own journey but also a reminder of the importance of creating opportunities for others. I hope to continue using my experiences to support students from under-represented backgrounds, helping to ensure that potential is recognised and nurtured, regardless of where someone starts in life.”

Zohra has just finished her second year studying Law with Business. Alongside her degree, she volunteers as an academic mentor for first year students, and this summer, will be taking part in the prestigious Globalink Research Internship at the University of Ottawa, Canada, to study reproductive rights law.

Zohra grew up in the UK after moving as a refugee from Afghanistan. She is passionate about the power of storytelling to raise awareness of issues around the world. Inspired by Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, she is writing her own novel about the experiences of women in Afghanistan, which has brought her interest from a literary agent.

She said: “My female cousins back home are not allowed to read past primary school. I am writing the novel they will never be allowed to read.”

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 CEO, Nick Bent, said: “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, Uashar and Zohra are inspiring role models for those from similar backgrounds, encouraging them to set their ambitions high.”