The Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education are awarded to educational establishments.

They reward high-quality work taking place in the vital sectors of higher and further education, and promote excellence in UK universities and colleges.

The prizes are part of the UK national honours system.

View footage of the 2010 ceremony:

The Anniversary Prizes are presented every two years for work of outstanding importance and quality in any of the fields of activity of the universities and colleges of higher and further education in the UK.

A prize-winner must be able to demonstrate outstanding work at world-class level in order to receive a Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education.

The awards are managed by the Royal Anniversary Trust, which was created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of The Queen's accession to the throne in 1992.

In the autumn of the commencement of each two-year awards round, all universities and colleges across the UK are invited to make a single entry. They can offer any subject area or type of work or project in which they are involved.

Following the closing date, usually at the end of March, all entries are subject to a rigorous assessment process.

The Queen's Anniversary Prizes are made by The Queen upon the advice of the Prime Minister, on the recommendations of the Royal Anniversary Trust's Awards Council.

The Queen presents the medal and prize certificate at an honours ceremony at-Buckingham Palace.

The previous evening representatives of prize-winning institutions attend a banquet at Guildhall in the City of London, bringing together the winners with leading figures in economic, social and cultural life at home and overseas.

Further information is available from:
The Royal Anniversary Trust
Sanctuary Buildings (6th Floor)
20 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
Telephone: 0870 242 7160
Email: info@royalanniversarytrust.org.uk
Web site: www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk