We’re looking back on the 2026 UCW Awards and catching up with Creative Student of the Year Heather Murray! We reflected on Heather’s journey from Weston College to joining UCW and winning this impressive award.
Before coming to UCW, Heather started her journey at Weston College. First enrolling in the Extension Studies programme, she showed a passion for hair and beauty which led to her progressing through Levels 1, 2 and 3 Hairdressing at college. She built her skills from initially finding it difficult to work on a single client to eventually managing a whole column. These accomplishments led to her winning Hair and Beauty Student of the Year at Weston College’s Celebration of Success awards!
Heather wanted to progress further still though, enrolling on UCW’s BA (Hons) degree in Makeup, Wigs and Special Effects and expanding her skills from not just hair. Heather said: “My favourite moment at UCW was learning special effects makeup. I loved creating weird and unique makeup looks, especially making realistic blood effects. I really enjoyed being creative, experimenting with different special effects techniques, and bringing my ideas to life.”
Heather had high praise about her course, saying: “I would definitely recommend this course to anyone who wants to explore different types of makeup and gain new experiences. The staff at UCW are so supportive and helpful. Tara, Claire, and Sandy have all been amazing throughout my journey and have always been there to help whenever I needed it.“
“I want to give a special shout-out to Tara, Claire, Sandy, and the whole HEART team. Thank you for all the support, encouragement, and kindness you have shown me. You helped me through the times when I felt like I couldn’t do it. You kept me going, believed in me, and because of your support, I’ve now graduated!”
Before she graduated, Heather had one final accolade to collect, winning Creative Student of the Year at our 2026 UCW Awards, reflecting on the win, she said: “Winning the award was an amazing feeling. It meant so much to know that the staff and other people had recognised how hard I had worked. One of my favourite memories is celebrating that achievement with Claire and my mum.”
This year’s UCW Awards were especially significant as they coincide with the celebration of 10 years of UCW. Over the past decade, we have empowered thousands of learners to achieve their ambitions, building a vibrant community where talent, determination and opportunity thrive. As we mark this milestone, the awards provided the perfect opportunity to celebrate not only a decade of higher education excellence, but also the outstanding achievements, resilience and success of the students who continue to shape UCW’s story and inspire its future.
Finally, Heather said: “I’m really missing UCW, the amazing staff, and all the friends I’ve made along the way. Thank you for everything you have done for me and for believing in me. I will always recommend UCW to my friends because it has given me unforgettable memories, helped me grow in confidence, and prepared me for the future.”
Thank you to Heather for sharing your memories of your time at UCW and at Weston College! If you’re interested in studying Heather’s course, Makeup, Wigs and Special Effects – click here!
