A2 Fine Art student Liangyu from CATS Cambridge has been awarded first place in the prestigious Council for Independent Education Art Competition for A Level and UFP students.
The annual CIFE Awards recognise outstanding achievement across independent sixth-form colleges in the UK, celebrating excellence in art, creative subjects, photography and academic performance.
National Recognition for Creative Excellence
Liangyu’s success reflects both her creative talent and her commitment to exploring meaningful themes through her work. Her winning piece, River Cam, uses mixed media to examine environmental concerns, incorporating materials such as black plastic bags to highlight the impact of pollution.
Reflecting on her achievement, Liangyu said:
“I was so pleased to receive this award. My painting, River Cam, uses materials including black plastic bags to highlight the impact of pollution. It was a real honour to visit the House of Lords to collect my prize.”
A Memorable Award Ceremony
Liangyu attended the award ceremony at the House of Lords, where she received her prize and certificate from Lord Brentford. The event brought together high-achieving students from across the UK, recognising their academic and creative accomplishments.
Looking Ahead
Alongside this achievement, Liangyu has received an offer from University College London to study Arts and Sciences (BASc), a highly regarded interdisciplinary degree that allows students to combine subjects across both the arts and sciences.
As one of the leading universities in the UK and a member of the Russell Group, UCL is known for its academic excellence, global outlook and innovative approach to learning making it a natural next step for a student with Liangyu’s wide-ranging interests.
