Durham wins award for best student paper

Durham University triumphed last night in the third annual National Student Journalism Awards, sponsored by The Independent and The Independent on Sunday.

Its Palatinate won the coveted award for best student newspaper 2001 at a ceremony at King's College London attended by hundreds of student journalists from around the country. The judges gave it first prize for its clean design, newsy front page and properly researched articles.

Presenting the trophies, Donald Macintyre, The Independent's political commentator, said: "The best student papers give a real sense of the issues that are exercising students on campus, whether they be vice-chancellors' pay or rent increases. They are well written, have ambition and are presented with flair."

Nottingham University's Impact was judged best student magazine, and Leeds Student, the newspaper for both universities in Leeds, won the trophy for best campaign.

The awards are organised jointly by the two Independent papers and and the National Union of Students. Winners and runners-up in 12 categories were chosen from 369 entries by judges including distinguished figures from newspapers and magazines. On the panel were Jan Thompson, managing editor of The Independent; Peter Wilby, editor of the New Statesman; Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Independent columnist; Johnny Davis, editor of The Face; Owain James, NUS president; and Christian Wolmar, the writer on transport issues. "The winners displayed a level of professionalism that belies the resources and time constraints that many of them work under," Mr James said.

The winners are receiving prizes in cash or kind and the chance of work experience at The Independent's offices.

The winners

Best student newspaper: Palatinate (Durham). Runner-up: Concrete (UEA). Best student magazine: Impact (Nottingham). Runner-up: Pulse (Sussex). Best small-budget publication: YorkVision. Runner-up: Brig (Stirling). Best student media website, sponsored by nusonline: www.durham21.co.uk (Durham). Runner-up: tsw.org.uk (The Student Web, UEA). Best student reporter, sponsored by STA Travel: Steve Bloomfield, Liverpool Student. Runner-up: Alice Tarleton, Steel Press (Sheffield). Best student campaign, sponsored by Unison: Leeds Student. Runner-up: Gair Rhydd (Cardiff). Best student photographer: Tom Catchersides, Varsity (Cambridge); Runner-up: Nell Freeman, Isis (Oxford). Best student feature writer, sponsored by Basildon Bond: Olav Bjortomt, Platform (Nottingham Trent). Runner-up: Tom Hill, Cherwell (Oxford). Best student sports journalist: Andrew Dickson, Pluto (Central Lancs). Runner-up: Tom Hill, Cherwell. Best student arts journalist: Marion Schnelle, Leeds Student. Runner-up: Amy Franks, Impact (Nottingham). Best student publication design, sponsored by Endsleigh Insurance: Westworld (University of the West of England). Runner-up: Impact (Nottingham). Diversity award, sponsored by the Department of Health's mind out for mental health campaign: Sally McGuire, Student Direct (Manchester). Runner-up: Kirsti Reeve, Impact (Nottingham).