Competitions

National and international competitions for UK secondary schools.

Seven competitions your students can enter, grouped by subject area. Each one shows what it is, who can enter, what pupils make, when it closes and why it's worth trying.

Browse Competitions

Writing & Essay Competitions

John Locke, Orwell Youth & RCS Queen's Commonwealth

John Locke Global Essay Prize

InternationalEssayOxbridge / Ivy League recognised
What is it?
An elite international essay competition run by the John Locke Institute, challenging students to think beyond the school curriculum.
Who can enter?
Senior Prize: under 19. Junior Prize: under 15 on the submission deadline. Free to enter.
What could I make?
A rigorous essay of up to 2,000 words answering one question from the official list, on Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology or Law.
When is it?
Registration closes 31 March; final submissions due 31 May.
Why try it?
Extremely highly regarded by Oxbridge and Ivy League admissions. Shortlisted candidates are invited to an academic conference and gala dinner in Oxford.
Promotional poster View PDF
Competition guidance View Guidance

Record your school's use of this competition using the single Evaluation & Submission form below.

Orwell Youth Prize

National (UK)WritingRussell Group / Oxbridge recognised
What is it?
A political and social-justice writing prize inspired by George Orwell, run by the Orwell Foundation.
Who can enter?
Secondary school students in Years 7–13 (ages 11–18), studying in the UK or on a British curriculum.
What could I make?
An original piece of up to 1,500 words — a short story, essay, poem, journalistic piece or play script — responding to a theme that changes each year.
When is it?
Submissions typically close in late April.
Why try it?
Well respected across the Russell Group and Oxbridge for humanities and social sciences. Winners are published in the Orwell Foundation's print anthology.
Promotional poster View PDF
Competition guidance View Guidance

Record your school's use of this competition using the single Evaluation & Submission form below.

RCS Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition

International (Commonwealth)WritingHighly regarded internationally
What is it?
The world's oldest international school writing competition, run by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883.
Who can enter?
Any national or resident of a Commonwealth country or territory, aged 18 and under. Senior category 14–18 (max 1,500 words); Junior category under 14 (max 750 words).
What could I make?
A creative or academic response — essay, poem, story or script — to a global prompt built around Commonwealth values.
When is it?
Submissions close 30 April annually.
Why try it?
An exceptional addition to international and Ivy League applications. Top winners travel to London for a week of cultural events.
Promotional poster View PDF
Competition guidance View Guidance

Record your school's use of this competition using the single Evaluation & Submission form below.

Geography, STEM & Enterprise

RGS Young Geographer, The Big Bang & Tycoon Enterprise

RGS Young Geographer of the Year

National / InternationalGeographyOxbridge / Russell Group recognised
What is it?
An annual geography competition run by the Royal Geographical Society, rewarding strong scientific communication and spatial awareness.
Who can enter?
Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9), Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11) and Sixth Form (Years 12–13). Schools pre-screen entries internally and submit their top 10.
What could I make?
A visual, data-rich poster, essay or map responding to the theme “From Source to Sea”, depending on age category.
When is it?
Entry portals typically close in early October.
Why try it?
A strong benchmark for Geography, Earth Sciences or PPE applications at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities.
Promotional poster View PDF
Competition guidance View Guidance

Record your school's use of this competition using the single Evaluation & Submission form below.

The Big Bang Competition

National (UK)STEMRussell Group STEM recognised
What is it?
The UK's premier annual STEM competition, rewarding young people's innovation and problem-solving.
Who can enter?
Ages 11–18, individually or as a team, based in the UK. Split into Junior, Intermediate and Senior age bands.
What could I make?
A practical science or engineering project, submitted as a written report or a 3-minute video explaining the discovery, experiment or prototype.
When is it?
Portals open in the autumn term; submissions close 4 March.
Why try it?
Winning “UK Young Scientist/Engineer of the Year” carries major national prestige and is highly valued by Russell Group STEM and Engineering departments. Finalists showcase their work at the Big Bang Fair.
Promotional poster View PDF
Competition guidance View Guidance

Record your school's use of this competition using the single Evaluation & Submission form below.

Tycoon Enterprise Competition

National (UK)EnterpriseBusiness / Economics recognised
What is it?
A practical national enterprise competition created and funded by the Peter Jones Foundation.
Who can enter?
Ages 6–18, across Primary, Secondary and Further Education, including SEND and alternative education providers.
What could I make?
Teams pitch a business plan for a goodwill startup loan (up to £3,000) and run a real, trading business during a set school window.
When is it?
Registration dates vary by trading window (autumn/winter or spring cycles).
Why try it?
The leading UK enterprise credential for students. Top teams pitch directly to Peter Jones CBE at a high-profile awards ceremony. Strong evidence for Economics, Business and Management applications.
Promotional poster View PDF
Competition guidance View Guidance

Record your school's use of this competition using the single Evaluation & Submission form below.

Creative & Animation

Young Animator of the Year UK

Young Animator of the Year UK

National (UK)AnimationSpecialist / creative arts recognised
What is it?
A national competition celebrating digital design, storytelling and animation skills.
Who can enter?
Ages 11–22, free to enter, resident in the UK. Solo entrants must have directed and animated the film themselves; group categories also exist.
What could I make?
An original animated short film, up to 3 minutes, using Stop-Motion, 2D or 3D/CGI animation. Films must be suitable for U or PG audiences.
When is it?
Entries must be uploaded by midnight on 1 September.
Why try it?
Winners are screened at the Manchester Animation Festival. A strong portfolio credential for Animation, VFX and Digital Arts courses at top creative institutions.
Promotional poster View PDF
Competition guidance View Guidance

Record your school's use of this competition using the single Evaluation & Submission form below.

Evaluation & Submission

Competition Evaluation Form

One simple form for any of the seven competitions above — used to record whether a resource was used, roughly how many pupils took part, and how it went. Please submit once per competition your school engages with.

School Details

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Participation

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