University Gospel Choir of the Year (UGCY) continues to hold a unique place within the UK gospel music landscape, offering university choirs a national platform to grow and be recognised. Since launching in 2011, the competition has become a key fixture in the student gospel calendar, bringing choirs together from across the country for an annual celebration centred on gospel music.
Founded by Lorraine Wright MBE, UGCY was created to address the lack of visibility and opportunity available to university gospel choirs. Over time, it has developed into a respected national competition, blending live performance with public engagement and professional judging, while remaining rooted in its original purpose of community building and artistic development.
From 2026 onwards, UGCY is being delivered fully by AStepFWD, marking a new chapter for the competition. With a long-standing commitment to supporting Christian and Gospel artists and choirs, AStepFWD’s increased involvement builds on UGCY’s established legacy and helps strengthen its reach and future direction.
The grand finale on Saturday, 21st March, brings together the finalists in a live showcase assessed by an expert judging panel, ensuring that musical quality and audience connection are reflected in the final line-up. For many choirs, UGCY remains a defining experience that continues to influence their journey beyond university.
This year’s final will see ten choirs take to the stage, representing universities from across the UK. In no particular order, the UGCY 2026 finalists are:
- – Manchester Harmony Gospel Choir
- – Portsmouth Gospel Choir
- – Warwick Gospel Choir
- – Durham University Gospel Choir
- – The Revival Gospel Choir (Leicester)
- – University of Sunderland Gospel Choir
- – Edinburgh University Gospel Choir
- – BIMM Birmingham Gospel Choir
- – Loughborough Gospel Choir
- – University of Birmingham Gospel Choir
With a mix of returning choirs and newer finalists, this year’s line-up reflects the continued growth and diversity of the university gospel scene. As the final approaches, anticipation continues to build for another powerful moment in the UGCY journey.
Early Bird tickets are now on sale from just £15 so don’t delay. Click link or image below and book yours today!
