Competition for Year 10 and 11 students

The Oxford Essay Merit Assessment is Oxford IQ Academy’s academic screening process for its summer residential programmes. Applicants register, choose one or more fields of interest, and then receive an essay package with the questions, guidance notes, word-count expectations, and marking criteria.

Candidates write and submit their essay for marking by the Academy. The assessment is used to classify applicants and determine merit-based scholarship eligibility, with strong essays considered for subsidised residential places and a formal admissions interview. The programme is aimed at academically ambitious students aged 13-15 who are applying for the Oxford IQ Academy’s Oxford-based summer courses.

The IEOx Essay Challenge is an annual international essay competition for high school students worldwide. It invites participants to research and write in English on climate economics, with the 2026/27 theme focusing on topics such as carbon markets, sustainable finance, environmental policy, and related economic questions linked to climate action. Entrants can participate individually or in teams of up to three. Essays must follow strict academic rules, including an abstract, a full body text, APA citations, and anonymous submission requirements. The competition also emphasises originality, coherence, contextual analysis, and readability, and selected papers may be recognised as preliminary winners or special award recipients. Top-ranked entries are later showcased through a dedicated online seminar, giving students a chance to see their work presented in a wider economics discussion.

Young Founders Lab’s Pitch Competition Prep Program is a 10-week training incubator designed for teams of high school students preparing for highly competitive business pitch competitions. The programme focuses on helping participants develop a complete, competition-ready submission package that can be tailored to a specific target competition.

Across the programme, students work on a fully developed business or social impact model, a polished pitch deck, application materials, and a well-rehearsed video submission. The emphasis is on turning an early idea into a clear and persuasive pitch, with guidance that supports both the content of the venture and the quality of the final application. It is aimed at ambitious young founders who want structured support as they prepare to present their idea competitively.

The MTA Technology, Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge is a flagship competition for D&T and engineering students across the UK. Entrants submit a project online or through one of the regional events, making it accessible to students who want to showcase inventive ideas and practical problem-solving. Judges review the video submissions and select finalists, who are then invited to present their idea or concept in more detail at the final event. The overall winner is chosen on the day, and the top entries in each category are recognised with a special prize. The competition is free to enter and is designed to celebrate creativity, design thinking, and engineering talent.

International Greenwich Olympiad offers several participation options for students, including in-person attendance with accommodation, in-person attendance without accommodation, UK schools participation, and online entry from anywhere in the world. All listed packages carry a £35 registration fee, and the page presents the event as a student competition with a choice of scholar package.

The full-board option is a seven-day programme with university accommodation, while the day-pass option is for participants arranging their own accommodation. UK schools participants attend the competition day only, and online entrants present virtually. The opportunity is designed for individual participants or teams, and every participant must have a supervisor.

Supervisor rules are clearly set out: one supervisor can oversee up to six students, with a maximum team size of three students. One supervisor attends free for every ten students travelling to the UK, and online supervisors participate free of charge. Family members may act as supervisors if they actively contribute and have an appropriate academic or professional background. The page also explains visitor access, payment methods, and a non-refundable registration fee policy.

The International Geography Bowl is a team-based online buzzer quiz competition run by International Academic Competitions. It is designed for student teams of two from the same school, and the format lets students play together online rather than travelling to an in-person venue. The competition uses geography-themed buzzer questions and sits within the organiser’s European Division programme.

Unlike some of the organiser’s other geography events, the Bowl does not require prior qualifying, so teams can enter directly. It is separate from the European Championships, but strong results can still matter: top placing teams may qualify for the International Geography Championships. The event is aimed at school students and is part of a broader set of geography competitions offered by the organiser.

The International Geography Bee is International Academic Competitions' flagship geography competition for students in Europe and nearby regions. It runs during the school year and is structured around a qualifying stage followed by European Championships. Students can qualify through a free online Championships Qualifying Exam requested by teachers or parents, through an in-person qualifying exam at regional tournaments, or through online regional tournaments.

The competition is offered in age divisions from elementary through varsity, based on birthdate. It features geography-focused quiz formats, including buzzer-based play and multiple-choice questions, with separate routes for individual competitors and team-based Geography Bowl entries. Teams in the Geography Bowl are made up of two students from the same school.

Students who qualify can progress to the European Championships and, in some cases, the broader International Geography Championships. Practice materials and study guides are available to help students prepare for the competition.

The Harvard Political Review Global Policy Case Competition is a worldwide policy-writing competition for middle and high school students. Participants work in teams to produce an evidence-based policy essay that either evaluates an existing public policy or proposes a new solution to a pressing issue. Students are asked to write analytically and persuasively for a general audience, drawing on research, data, and critical thinking rather than storytelling alone. The competition is designed to build skills in journalism, policy analysis, and civic leadership, with a strong focus on clear argumentation and practical recommendations. Teams submit an 800-1,200 word essay in the preliminary round, then the strongest teams progress to a live final round on Zoom where they present and defend their work before judges. Recognition includes certificates for participants and awards for high-performing teams, alongside the chance to have winning work featured by the Harvard Political Review.

The National STEM Festival UK Edition 2027 is a competition for pre-university innovators who want to submit a project for national consideration. Applicants complete one application and provide project information, written responses, a PDF of their project, and a short project video. Selection takes place in two stages. In Phase 1, judges review the written application and project PDF using a blind-review process. If an applicant reaches Phase 2, authorised judges may review the original application, the submitted video, and project materials before finalists and champions are chosen. Successful applicants may be selected as National STEM Champions and invited to take part in the festival programme in London. This is an in-person role, and applicants under 18 must attend with a parent or legal guardian as set out in the official rules and terms.

The Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition is a virtual entrepreneurship challenge for high school students from around the world. Entrants develop an original blue-ocean business idea that solves a real-world problem and present it through a short pitch video. Participants also get access to the Blue Ocean Mini-Course and supporting templates to help shape their idea. Students can compete on their own or in teams of up to five. The process includes registration, idea development, video submission, and judging across several rounds. Pitches are reviewed by experienced entrepreneurs and business people, with shortlisted entries moving forward until winners are announced. The competition rewards strong ideas, clear communication, and practical business thinking. Prizes include cash awards, certificates for winners, and recognition for all participants who submit a pitch. It is designed for young people who want to test an entrepreneurial idea, improve their pitching skills, and join a global community of student innovators.

The Practical Ethics and Responsibility Competition invites school students to explore a real ethical issue and think critically about the role responsibility plays in addressing it. Entrants take part by creating a video that explains an ethical problem and presents their ideas on how responsibility is involved. The competition is designed to encourage discussion, reflection and careful argument, while giving young people a chance to develop communication and analysis skills. It is open across the UK to teams of school students in the relevant year groups. Entries are judged, and the top five teams are invited to the final in Oxford. The organisers provide travel costs for all participants, and accommodation costs for teams travelling more than two hours from Oxford. Finalist schools receive a cash prize, making the competition both an academic challenge and a recognised opportunity for students interested in ethics and public debate.

The Junior Science Olympiad Exam (JSOE) is an online, bilingual individual written test hosted by Australian Science Innovations (ASI). It is designed to strengthen students’ problem-solving ability and critical thinking across a broad range of science topics, including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Earth & Environment Science. The competition is open to students in Grade 7-10 / Year 8-11 and takes place over 120 minutes. Participants compete for global awards including High Distinction, Distinction, and Credit, with results determined by Australian cut-off scores. Registration includes the exam, grading, proctoring, past papers, and certificates, and the registration deadline is two weeks before the competition date.

The World Photography Organisation’s Youth competition celebrates standout single images created by photographers aged 19 and under. Entry is free, and each entrant can submit up to three images related to the competition theme through the official website or one of the official Sony World Photography Award websites.

Entrants must upload original photographic work taken in 2026, and images are judged as single images rather than as a series. A shortlist of up to 10 photographers is selected, with global press exposure and online promotion available to shortlisted entrants.

The overall winner receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment, a trophy, certificate, copy of the book, inclusion in the annual book and exhibition, plus flights and accommodation to attend the black-tie awards ceremony in London. Winners are announced online and at the ceremony in April 2027.

The IOA (Institute of Acoustics) Young Persons Competition 2026 invites young people to explore acoustics, sound, noise and vibration through creative, scientific or technical responses to the theme "Sound Unleashed". Entrants may discuss how sound shapes experiences, where technology helps or falls short, or how better sound design can improve communities and the environment. Submissions may be from individuals or teams (up to five), and the organisers welcome work from students interested in music, film, engineering, gaming, wildlife and related areas. Participants should submit a short video (preferably MP4) of no more than five minutes. Winners will receive £1,000 per winning entry. Full submission requirements, judging criteria and deadlines are provided in the attached PDF documents linked on the IOA webpage (Terms & Conditions and Full Details). For questions or clarification email discoveracoustics@ioa.org.uk and follow the instructions in the Full Details PDF to make your submission.

Write on Art is a national writing programme run by Art UK in partnership with the Paul Mellon Centre. It invites young people aged 13 6-9 to explore Art UK's digital catalogue of public art collections and to develop personal, creative and critical written responses to artworks. The programme includes a competition element with a prize; full details of the prize and how to enter are available on the Art UK website. Participants are encouraged to research artworks in the UK public collection, reflect on them, and present those reflections as creative or critical writing. The programme aims to develop skills in observation, interpretation and communication through written work and to offer opportunities for young writers to have their work recognised. Visit the Art UK Write on Art page for entry instructions, submission guidelines and timelines.

The Lumiere Scholars Essay Award is a virtual, global essay competition for ambitious high school students. It invites participants to choose one prompt and write a well-reasoned, research-based argumentative essay on a major issue, drawing on evidence, critical thinking, and clear academic writing.

Entries are reviewed by an Academic Advisory Committee made up of professors and researchers from leading universities. The judging rubric emphasizes originality, analysis, evidence, structure, and presentation, and participants are encouraged to engage seriously with counterarguments rather than rely on unsupported claims.

The competition is free to enter and open worldwide. Winners receive cash prizes, scholarships toward Lumiere programs, and publication opportunities, while top essayists may be invited to a symposium and gala dinner at Oxford University.

The International Foundation Science Olympiad (IFSO) is an online, proctored science competition run by the International Olympiad Foundation (IOF) designed for school students. IFSO tests knowledge and scientific thinking across Physics, Chemistry and Biology for students in Classes 1 10 and aims to deepen conceptual understanding beyond the regular classroom syllabus. The exam is fully online (webcam proctored) and timed: 1 hour per paper with MCQ formats (35 questions for Classes 1 5; 50 questions for Classes 6 10). Examination windows on the listed dates run from 17:00 to 20:00 IST (participants may appear any time within this window on their exam day). Results and awards are issued after evaluation, with result declaration scheduled for 31 January 2027. Registration is available via schools or direct online sign-up on the IOF portal. Fees are charged per student (see fee details) and participating students receive certificates, merit rankings and awards. The programme is open internationally and is intended to prepare students for higher-level competitive science examinations while recognising top performers.

SAGE Global runs an entrepreneurship competition programme that empowers teenage entrepreneurs to build businesses addressing social and environmental issues. Participants develop their ventures with guidance from teachers and mentors and are evaluated on business model, social impact, innovation, sustainability, and presentation quality. Teams begin at local or school level and can progress to national competitions where they represent their communities and refine their business strategies and presentation skills. The strongest national teams (the top two from each country) are invited to the annual SAGE World Cup, a global event combining competition, cultural exchange, and networking with industry leaders. The programme supports multiple routes to get involved: teens can compete through their schools or clubs, educators can start SAGE Entrepreneurship Clubs to support students, and business leaders can volunteer as judges. The competition focuses on practical, real-world entrepreneurship experience for school-aged participants.

The TeenTech Awards are a national competition for young innovators that invites students to develop and showcase projects addressing real-world problems. Participants may work individually or in teams of up to three across a wide range of innovation, skills and research categories, exploring areas such as transport, healthcare, energy efficiency, digital media and more. Every submitted project receives feedback and is awarded bronze, silver or gold; the strongest entries progress to the TeenTech Awards Final for judging. The programme supports schools with suggested structures and industry contacts, and TeenTech connects teams with industry mentors to help develop projects. TeenTech also runs live, interactive 'Top Tips' sessions for teachers and students to explain how to run the Awards successfully and to help with research, IP protection and practical project development. Winners of the Final receive a cash prize and finalists take part in the showcase and judging events. Registration for the TeenTech Awards 2027 is open via the Stage 1 Form, with full submissions opening in early 2027.

Film of the Month is an ongoing monthly competition run by Into Film to celebrate young filmmaking talent across the UK. It is open to all young people aged 5–19. Each month one winning film is selected to receive a £100 gift voucher, certificate(s), a feature interview on the Into Film website, and placement on the Into Film YouTube Shorts channel. Runner-up films are also showcased.

The competition accepts any film genre or theme (fiction, non-fiction, live action, or animated). Films must be a maximum of 10 minutes in length, and entrants must ensure any third-party music, images or footage are cleared for use. If you are aged 17 or under, a parent or guardian must provide consent and complete the entrant details when submitting. Educators may submit curricular films on behalf of their students; curricular entries are judged with slightly different criteria to ensure a level playing field.

Entrants must disclose any use of AI tools in the film's creation. Judges assess films on idea, story, sound and look rather than technical kit, and emphasis is placed on originality and creative decisions. There is a new round every month and entries are accepted on an ongoing basis via the Into Film website.