University Prospectus
A stronger way to showcase graduating model makers
New Blades gives universities a national stage without an exhibition fee, and gives students more than a one-day display: a serious profile, structured industry contact, and a public page that lasts beyond the event.
Free
Exhibition fee to universities
Every
student gets a profile on newblades.com
Up to 3
projects or models per student profile
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Main event date
Why Universities Take Part
The offer is not "table space". The offer is a stronger graduate showcase.
New Blades is most useful when it is treated as a launch platform, not just an exhibition. The live event matters, but the profile system, the review workflow, the industry preview, the meetings, and the public archive are what make the offer stronger.
That is why the university proposition should be framed around student outcomes and course credibility first: better presentation, better industry contact, better documentation of the work, and a cleaner coordination workflow for staff.
It is also why participation is now free to universities. Programmes are already carrying the cost of getting students to the finish line. New Blades is designed to add value, not another invoice.
At A Glance
- No exhibition fee to participate.
- One profile per student powers review, brochure, preview, and public showcase.
- Assigned instructors can approve or reject submitted work with notes.
- The day is structured around preview first, then student meetings, then public opening.
- Students leave with something useful beyond the event itself.
Why the format works
Better graduate outcomes
Students do not just place work on a table for one day. They build a serious profile, meet industry around the work itself, and leave with a stronger professional asset.
A cleaner story for the course
New Blades helps a programme show ambition: the work is reviewed properly, seen by the right people, and presented in both print and digital formats.
A manageable workflow for staff
The platform already supports invites, progress tracking, instructor review, dates, tickets, and show-day coordination, so the university side is more visible and less ad hoc.
Student Value
What students actually get
A dedicated profile on newblades.com
Each student gets their own page with images, writing, links, and optional video and portfolio material.
Private industry preview before public launch
Approved work can be reviewed early by invited industry and patrons before the wider public opening.
Focused conversations on the day
The schedule deliberately creates a late-morning meeting window so students are not relying on chance encounters.
Awards with real weight
Approved entries are eligible for the awards, including the flagship New Blades Award with £1,000 for the winner and £500 for the runner-up.
A public showcase and archive
Once released, the profile continues to work as a public-facing page students can share after the event.
A stronger reason to raise the standard
Knowing the work will be judged, profiled, and seen by the sector changes how seriously students approach the final presentation.
Student Profiles
One profile per student. Multiple jobs handled properly.
The profile is the spine of the current university offer. Students are not filling out disconnected forms for the show, the brochure, and the website. They build one strong profile and that record does the work across the edition.
Headshot, bio, and graduation details
Up to three project or model sections within one profile
Project title, summary, description, and process notes
Featured and supporting images with captions
Optional MP4 video and transcript
Optional PDF portfolio or CV upload
Links to Instagram, LinkedIn, Behance, portfolio sites, and more
Meeting availability, brochure preview, and a public profile URL
Team Workflow
What course leaders and instructors can manage
Coordinator View
University dashboard and cohort tracking
- Send student and staff invites from the university allocation
- Track who has accepted and who is still missing
- See completeness percentages and submission status for each student
- Keep key dates, tickets, event details, and setup notes visible for the team
- View the student cohort in one place rather than chasing work by email
Instructor View
Review submitted entries before approval
- See submitted entries awaiting review
- Open the full student profile before approving it
- Approve or reject with notes
- Trigger student notification after the review decision
- Keep academic sign-off inside the same workflow as the show
Workflow
How the edition runs from first invite to show day
Confirm participation and student numbers
The first practical milestone is confirming likely student numbers by 15 April 2026.
Invite students and staff
Student registration opens 1 April 2026. Universities invite students into the edition rather than asking them to find their own way in.
Students build one profile each
Students upload their images, writing, links, and supporting material once. That same profile feeds review, brochure content, preview, and public launch.
Review and approve the work
Assigned instructors can review submitted entries, while the New Blades team manages final approval and publication readiness.
Install, preview, exhibit, and award
The live show lands on Thursday, 18 June 2026, with private preview first, student meetings late morning, public opening from 13:00, and awards from 18:00.
Included
What participation includes
No exhibition fee to the university
A dedicated profile for each exhibiting student
Printed brochure inclusion
Student exhibitor passes and staff attendance allocations
Instructor review workflow for assigned course staff
Awards eligibility across the show
Private industry preview before the public opening
Professional photography and videography of nominated work
Dates
Key dates and practical milestones
Show Day
How the live day is structured
The format is deliberate. Serious viewing happens before the public arrives. Students return for the conversation window once the private preview has done its job. The public opening and awards then land into a room that already has momentum.
Show Day Schedule
Thursday, 18 June 2026 — Truman Brewery, U Block
Judging & Private Preview
09:00–11:00Private viewing for faculty, sponsors, and VIP guests. No students present.
Meet the Makers
11:00–13:00Students return for VIP one-on-one meetings and lunch.
Open Showcase & Awards
13:00–lateDoors open to all — industry, family, and public.
Current Cohort
Universities already in the room
Questions Answered
Common questions from course teams
What does it cost a university to exhibit?
Nothing. Universities no longer pay an exhibition fee. Patronage now underwrites the show so programme budgets are not carrying the room cost.
Who builds the student profiles?
Students build their own profiles. The university side is there to invite them, monitor progress, and keep the cohort moving. Where instructors are assigned, they can also review submitted work directly in the platform.
What does a student profile actually include?
A headshot, bio, project writing, images, optional video, optional PDF portfolio, links, category information, meeting availability, and a public-facing page once released.
Can course staff review entries before they go live?
Yes. Assigned instructors can see submitted entries, approve or reject them with notes, and students are notified of the decision. Final event publication still sits with the New Blades team.
What happens on the day itself?
Students clear the room by 08:45. The private preview runs 09:00-11:00. Students return 11:00-13:00 for meetings and lunch. The public opening starts at 13:00, voting closes at 17:00, awards are at 18:00, and drinks begin at 19:00.
Is this only for the live day?
No. The live show matters, but the student profile system is what extends the value. It supports review before the event and a public-facing archive afterwards.
Next Step
If the programme is a fit, the next move is simple
Confirm likely student numbers, identify the staff who need coordinator or instructor access, and speak to the New Blades team about participating in New Blades London 2026.