Competition for Year 12 and 13 students

The Writers' College Annual Short Story Competition is an international fiction competition for emerging writers. It welcomes original short stories from beginners around the world and is designed to showcase fresh voices, strong characterisation, and inventive storytelling. The competition is themed each year, and entrants must write to the set prompt while creating their own unique title. Entries must be original, unpublished, written in English, and no longer than 2,000 words. Writers may enter only one story, and the competition rules exclude professional writers such as journalists, copywriters, web writers, and content writers, as well as anyone who has earned a living from writing. Generative AI is not allowed. The competition offers cash prizes and publication in an anthology of winning stories. The top three winners also receive editorial comments from the judges. It is free to enter during the earlybird period, with a paid entry fee applying afterwards.

Lincoln Book Festival 2026 is a literary festival from CVS Lincolnshire that brings together audiences of all ages with well-known writers, journalists, academics, cultural commentators and public figures. The programme includes talks, readings, panel discussions, workshops and Q&As, alongside family-friendly activities and events for different literary interests and formats. A key feature of the festival page is the Flash Fiction Competition, which invites writers of all ages to produce a complete story in exactly 50 words on the theme of hobbies. The competition is designed to be accessible to first-time writers as well as experienced creators, with entries judged in primary, secondary and adult categories. Winners receive a book voucher, selected entries are published online, and shortlisted writers may share their work with a live audience. The page also lists a series of Flash Fiction Workshops delivered by Zest Theatre and associated venues in Lincoln and Sutton on Sea. These sessions are aimed mainly at ages 11-18, with one all-ages session included, giving young people and families a chance to develop ideas and experiment with short-form creative writing in an engaging, supported setting.

The Royal Society for Public Health’s annual Student Essay Competition invites RSPH Student Members to submit an original essay on a public health question. The competition is run in partnership with SAGE Publications and is designed for students who want to build their writing, research, and critical thinking skills while engaging with a contemporary issue in public health. Entrants are asked to respond to the set essay title in no more than 1,000 words, with a limit on references and supporting tables or figures. The competition provides an opportunity to publish strong student writing and to showcase ideas that contribute to debates about improving population health. The winning article will be published in Perspectives in Public Health and the winner will also receive a package of vouchers, free RSPH membership, and a short term on the journal’s editorial board. Submission is via the form on the page, with a contact email provided for further information.

The Norfolk Cambridge Society Student Awards 2026/2027 is a competitive awards scheme for students attending any Norfolk school sixth form or sixth form college. Applicants may submit work in their chosen format: an essay, a short video or audio file, or artwork in any medium. The scheme is intended to support students thinking about applying to university and to provide financial help to successful applicants.

Entrants must submit their entry by midnight on 28 January 2027. A shortlist of applicants will be interviewed via Zoom and winners will be decided by the panel. Awards of up to A3600 will be made to winners, with awards scheduled to be announced by the end of March 2027.

More information will be available from participating colleges in September. Prospective applicants can register now to receive further details by emailing awards@norfolkcambridgesociety.org.uk.

Music Forge New Artist is an international music performance competition for solo instrumentalists, singers, chamber ensembles, choirs, and orchestras. The competition is organised through a two-stage process: an online preliminary round based on a performance video and project proposal, followed by a live final in Lucera, Italy. An internationally renowned jury reviews the entries and selects 10 finalists for the final stages. Applicants are required to submit a publicly accessible video of no more than 12 minutes, along with a written proposal of up to 500 words in Italian or English. The video must be a single continuous take, filmed from a fixed camera, with no edits or post-production. The competition rules also set out age-based categories for soloists and average-age categories for chamber, choir, and orchestra sections. The main prize is a €3,000 cash award together with a recording contract that includes professional recording, publication, worldwide distribution, and management of the winner’s debut album. The total value of the overall first prize is stated as €15,000, and the live final and winners’ concert take place at Circolo Unione 1860 in Lucera, Italy.

The Sovereign Minds SPEAR Oratory Prize is a speaking competition for young people aged 16-18. Entrants are invited to prepare and deliver a speech on one of the ten SPEAR target subjects, with the aim of offering ideas, insight, and practical solutions to important global issues. The competition is designed to build confidence, critical thinking, mindfulness, and independence through public speaking. Finalists’ speeches will be judged by influential voices on the global stage in a prestigious central London location, creating a high-profile setting for participants to showcase their ideas and oratory skills. The winner will receive a £10,000 prize. For SPEAR27, competition entries are expected to open in September 2026, with the published round dates running through qualifiers, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final in March 2027.

The LSESU Economics Society Economics Challenge is a global essay competition hosted by the LSESU Economics Society, with official support from the LSE Economics Department. It is designed for high school students interested in economics and academic writing, and the essay questions are set by current LSE Economics professors and distinguished economists. Entrants choose one of five essay questions covering topics such as technology and worker wellbeing, energy and economics, AI and employment, taxation and fairness, and green technology. Essays must be written in English, be no more than 1,500 words excluding references, and use Harvard-style referencing is recommended. Students submit their work online, and no prior registration is required. The competition is free to enter and awards certificates to winning students, with prizes including money awards for top submissions. Outstanding entries may also progress to further elite economics challenges and a selective camp, making this a prestigious opportunity for students looking to strengthen their economics profile.

Keystone Tutors' Children's Writing Competition 2026 returns for summer 2026 with two separate competitions, giving children and teenagers the chance to develop imagination, storytelling skill and creative confidence. The Junior Competition is open to writers aged 5-13 (Years 1-8), while the Senior Competition is open to writers aged 14-18 (Years 9-13). Junior entrants can write up to 800 words on the theme “Mystery” or choose from the suggested titles, while senior entrants can write up to 1,500 words on the theme “Other Worlds” or one of the suggested prompts. In both competitions, entries must be original, written in English prose, and AI use is forbidden. Entries should be emailed to enquiries@keystonetutors.com as either a typed Word document or a clear photo of a handwritten story. Winners receive a £100 Waterstone’s voucher and a one-to-one Creative Writing Masterclass with a Keystone tutor, runner-up receives the masterclass, and every entrant receives brief tailored feedback.

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.

Queen's University Belfast is running a "Check In To Win" competition linked to its June and October 2026 Open Days. To enter, prospective undergraduate applicants must pre-register to attend and then check in at Queen's Open Day on Saturday 6 June 2026 or Saturday 3 October 2026. The entry period runs from 00:01 on 6 June 2026 until 23:59 on 3 October 2026 (GMT). Entrants are limited to one entry each and must provide their first name, surname and email address when registering. The winner will be selected by electronic draw and contacted by 1 November 2026.

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.

Rutland & Stamford Sound is running the Local Lens Photography Competition 2026 in partnership with Pixel + Paper. Photographers are invited to submit images that capture the Rutland & Stamford local area; the theme requires the photo to depict somewhere or something local. Ten photos from the Adult category and two each from Primary and Secondary School categories will be chosen for inclusion in the Rutland & Stamford Calendar 2027. Categories are: Adult (including sixth-form/college students), Secondary School and Primary School. Entrants should enter for the year they are about to enter; Year 11 leavers will be placed in the Adult category and Year 6 leavers will be placed in Secondary. Winners will receive a copy of the calendar, photographic credits in the calendar, a certificate, and a place in the Local Lens Exhibition. To enter, complete the online submission form (https://forms.gle/vfgE9PeHupKTrVgR7) and then email your photo to locallensphotographycomp@gmail.com. For enquiries contact rutlandandstamfordsound@gmail.com.

The Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is an annual national science and technology competition for secondary school students across Ireland. Each year thousands of students submit original research proposals and roughly 500 projects are selected for display at a four-day public exhibition in Dublin. Participants present their projects to panels of judges and to the public, gaining experience in communicating scientific work and receiving feedback from experts. The exhibition runs as an in-person event in early January (6-9 January 2027 for the 2027 exhibition) and culminates in an awards ceremony where category prizes and the overall Stripe Young Scientist & Technologist of the Year are announced. The event showcases a wide range of STEM topics and has a long history of alumni progressing to higher education and research careers. Students who wish to take part must submit projects through the official entry portal. Registration on the site closes on 25 September (page states "We're accepting student applications until 25 September"), and selected projects are invited to exhibit at the Dublin event.

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.

TeenEagle runs an international competitive programme for school-aged participants focused on knowledge, spelling, writing and team debate. Free online practice rounds run monthly and are used to prepare students for official qualifier rounds. Qualifier formats include free online rounds, online regional qualifiers, paper-based local qualifiers organised with partners/schools, and multi-event Regional Round events (including occasional sleep-away formats). Regional Qualifiers are held regularly (online first and third Saturday of each month) and consist of an 80-question combined Spelling & Knowledge test (80 minutes). Passing a qualifier with at least an Honourable Mention (40%+) is required to register for Global Finals. Global Finals (three to four events each season) comprise multiple competitive tasks - Knowledge Quiz, Spelling Bee, The Writing Challenge and Persuasive Speaking (team debates) - with detailed scoring and medals awarded across receptive and productive skills. TeenEagle provides teacher books, student workbooks and a portal for sign-up and event materials. Schools and partners can register to host paper-based qualifiers and regional events; teacher webinars (monthly July-December) and a portal exist to support club-based and school participation. Detailed schedules, booking and logistics are handled through the TeenEagle portal.

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 University of Chichester Open Days Prize Draw invites prospective undergraduate students who attend one of the university's 2026 Open Days to enter a prize draw to win a year's worth of on-campus accommodation. To be eligible entrants must attend and register at an official Open Day (20 June 2026; 10 October 2026; 25 October 2026; 21 November 2026) and have submitted a UCAS application by the January UCAS deadline for Academic Entry Year 2027. Entries are generated automatically from Open Day registration records and there is no purchase necessary. Two winners will be selected at random from eligible entries received during the prize draw period (20 June 2026 to 21 November 2026). The prize covers the room rental fees only for a standard single ensuite self-catered room (approximately £7,371 for a 39-week Licence Agreement) and excludes catering, utilities, travel, books, course materials and tuition fees. Winners will be notified by email/telephone and must claim the prize within 14 calendar days, provide proof of eligibility, and enrol for the 2027 academic entry year or the prize will be forfeited.

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.