Upcoming Competitions

View our recommended internal & external competitions

Oxford & Cambridge Essay Competitions


Annual DNA Day Essay Contest
Jan
1
to Mar 6

Annual DNA Day Essay Contest

The Annual DNA Day Essay Contest is run in honour of DNA day, which commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953. The contest is open to students in grades 9-12 worldwide and asks students to examine, question, and reflect on important concepts in genetics.

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The Betty Haigh Shakespeare Prize
Sep
1

The Betty Haigh Shakespeare Prize

Shakespeare study at both post-16 and degree level often involves paying close attention to screen productions and this year’s Betty Haigh Shakespeare Prize encourages just such a performance approach.

Age: The Betty Haigh competition is open to any sixth form student of English literature.

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Mister Finch Creative Writing Competition for Kids
Aug
31

Mister Finch Creative Writing Competition for Kids

Mister Finch is a quirky rhyming tale written by Minds Underground’s Founder, Camille, bringing a fresh, fun-loving perspective on the elderly to children aged 3-7 years. Children aged 5-12 years now have the chance to enter a Mister Finch-inspired Creative Writing Competition! The competition will be adjudicated by the author herself, with the two prize winners receiving a Creative Writing Masterclass.

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NCH Humanities Competition
Dec
20
to Jan 31

NCH Humanities Competition

This is a fantastic opportunity for students considering a Humanities degree - the competition has questions for a number of subjects: Art History, English, Data Science, Economics, History, Law, Philosophy, Politics & Psychology. Y12 Essay competitions are great to mention on personal statements, especially if you have not studied the subject at school, as it demonstrates interest and aptitude/ allows you delve deep into research in a new field.

Age: Penultimate school year (Y12)

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The Big Bang STEM Competition
Dec
18
to Mar 20

The Big Bang STEM Competition

A perfect competition for students in secondary education interested in STEM subjects, from computing to design engineering. The focus is on project work and research, which presents a wonderful opportunity to harness both your creative imagination and scientific knowledge. You can explore any scientific discipline, and choose the nature of your end product e.g. a report from a practical experiment in a lab, a prototype, a science communication presentation. Great to mention on future science personal statements!

Age: 11-19

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 Searchlight Writing for Children Award
Aug
1

Searchlight Writing for Children Award

Searchlight Writing for Children Awards is a new rolling competition for aspiring authors writing for children or young adults. Their purpose is to shine a bright light on exceptional writing. They publish winning entries and act as a stepping stone for children’s authors to achieve their literary dreams.

Age: Over 16

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Armourers and Brasiers Tata Steel Sixth Form Materials Prize
Jul
31

Armourers and Brasiers Tata Steel Sixth Form Materials Prize

The Armourers and Brasiers Tata Steel Sixth Form Materials Prize has been designed to give learners structured opportunities to find out about materials science and engineering outside their normal lessons. It can be run as a formal extra-curricular activity led by a teacher or learners can work through the Prize modules independently. In both cases a sustained commitment of approximately 12 hours is required.

Age: Year 11 and 12

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Virtual Faraday Challenge
Jul
15
to Jul 31

Virtual Faraday Challenge

Based on a real-world problem, the Virtual Faraday Challenge brings together STEM subjects (science, design and technology, engineering and maths) in an engaging way and encourages the development of young people’s problem solving and communication skills. Can you assist the work of Network Rail, helping them to sustainably manage the increasing numbers of passengers using their network and minimise their impact on the environment?

Age: 7 - 15

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Never Such Innocence Writing Competition: The Unheard Voices of Conflict
Mar
19

Never Such Innocence Writing Competition: The Unheard Voices of Conflict

It is so important that when we read, we are not narrow in our approach - that we pay attention to stories from across the globe, across cultures and experiences. This competition represents an opportunity for you to tell your own story with this in mind. Students of all ages are invited to share either a personal story, or tell the untold story of someone impacted by a conflict, from anywhere across the globe.

Age 8-18

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The 16th Elmbridge Literary Competition 2021
Feb
5

The 16th Elmbridge Literary Competition 2021

The Elmbridge Literary Competition is perfect for any keen writers, national and international, looking to write to a great theme: music. You could play with lyricism (use sensory description - onomatopoeia, alliteration, assonance, sibiliance…), explore the way in which music represents a multiplicity of cultures, how music can trigger memory and evoke a certain time & place…the possibilities are endless!

Age 8-18

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UK Junior Water Prize
Feb
5

UK Junior Water Prize

Any student interested in sustainability and the environment will be interested in partaking in the UK Junior Water Prize. Are you keen to help find solutions to one of the most pressing challenges of our age? With a focus on research and experiment, the competition is perfect for any aspiring scientists keen to hone their skills beyond the syllabus.

Age: 15-20

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Young Nature Writers’ Competition
Nov
27

Young Nature Writers’ Competition

With lockdown looming and more time at home on the horizon, why not try your hand at some writing, and look to nature for some peace and inspiration? Anna Wilson, the judge of ‘My Wildlife’’s 2020 Nature Writing prize for 11-16 year olds, is a celebrated writer of nature books such as The Wide, Wide Sea, published in partnership with the National Trust.

Ages: 8-10 and 11-16

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The Young Walter Scott Prize
Oct
31

The Young Walter Scott Prize

Contribute your creative vision in entry to the prestigious Young Walter Scott Creative Writing competition. Open to all young writers aged between 11 and 19, the Historical Fiction writing competition offers endless possibilities to really explore and test your writing ability & historical knowledge. This is your chance to test your skills of historical accuracy & harness those literary devices to transport your reader back in time.

Age: 11-19

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“World Tales” Short Story Competition
Oct
15

“World Tales” Short Story Competition

UNESCO and the Idries Shah Foundation (ISF)’s World Tales Short Story Competition, invites young teenagers from around the globe to write about challenges of today and tomorrow (Climate change, human rights violations, conflicts, racism and discrimination) in the format of a short story. The theme of this 2020 First Edition is “Once upon a time in my future”.

Age 12-18

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Royal Geographical Society & FT Competition
Sep
30

Royal Geographical Society & FT Competition

“What is the geographical story behind a chosen set or sets of data?” The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and the Financial Times ‘ Essay Competition for sixth form geography students is perfect for those considering Geography at university. Challenge yourself to look beyond the curriculum, you may even be published on FT.com!

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