Economics and Business Competitions in the UK & Ireland (2026 Guide)

Updated on 20 May 2026: Some 2026 competitions are still open, while others have already closed and are included for planning the next cycle.

For students interested in economics, business, finance, public policy or entrepreneurship, the UK and Ireland offer several useful competition routes. Some are pure economics competitions. Others are essay prizes, policy challenges or enterprise programmes that help students build the same kind of evidence: economic thinking, commercial awareness, argument, data, communication and initiative.

This guide compares the main economics and business-related competitions for students in the UK and Ireland, including who they suit, how difficult they are, and how much profile value they may carry.

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Quick comparison

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Key takeaways for parents

• If your child wants pure economics, start with Discover Economics YEOTY, Oide YEOTY, FCDO Next Generation Economics or UK Economics Olympiad.
• If your child is stronger at essay writing, John Locke, Minds Underground and Cambridge King’s Entrepreneurship may fit better.
• If your child prefers doing rather than writing, Student Enterprise Programme or Young Enterprise Company Programme may be more useful.
• “Economics” competitions vary a lot: some test theory, some test policy judgement, and some test communication or enterprise.
• For university preparation, the best entry is not necessarily the most famous one; it is the one that produces a serious piece of work the student can discuss.

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1. Discover Economics Young Economist of the Year 2026

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Best for: UK students in Years 10-13 who enjoy economics, business, politics, current affairs or public policy.

Discover Economics Young Economist of the Year is one of the most accessible and relevant UK economics competitions for school students. It is run by Discover Economics, in partnership with the Royal Economic Society, sponsored by KPMG and supported by Financial Times Schools.

For 2026:

Impact and value: Strong UK subject-specific value. It is especially useful for students considering economics, PPE, business, finance, politics or public policy.

Difficulty: Medium to high. Entry is accessible, but finalist-level work needs a clear argument, evidence and strong communication.

Who should enter: Students who can explain a real-world issue using economic thinking, not just personal opinion.

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2. FCDO Next Generation Economics Competition 2026

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Best for: students interested in international development, government policy, poverty, trade, climate, aid or global affairs.

This is a GOV.UK competition run by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Students write a response of up to 1,000 words, usually focused on an economic question connected to global development or policy.

For 2026:

Impact and value: Good policy/economics profile value because it is official, current-affairs focused and connected to government economic thinking.

Difficulty: Medium. The word limit is manageable, but students need a focused argument and awareness of policy trade-offs.

Who should enter: Students interested in economics plus international relations, politics, geography, development studies or public policy.

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3. Oide Young Economist of the Year (Ireland)

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Best for: students in Ireland who want to explore economics through a project-style competition.

Oide Young Economist of the Year is Ireland’s key student economics competition. It is especially useful because it gives students a way to investigate economic questions in a project format rather than only writing an essay.

The 2026 cycle has already closed, but it is worth including in planning for the next academic year.

Impact and value: Strong within Ireland for secondary-school economics. It shows initiative, economic curiosity and project communication.

Difficulty: Medium. Students do not need university-level economics, but they need a clear question, research, analysis and presentation.

Who should enter: Irish students interested in economics, business, social issues, data, policy or current affairs.

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4. UK Economics Olympiad

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Best for: stronger economics students who want a more formal competition pathway.

The UK Economics Olympiad is more competition-like than essay-based awards. It is suitable for students who enjoy economic theory, problem solving and structured challenge.

Impact and value: Potentially high for students who perform well, especially because olympiad-style competitions are more selective and subject-specific.

Difficulty: High compared with beginner economics competitions. Students should have strong interest in economics and be comfortable with analytical questions.

Who should enter: Students aged around 14-19 who want a more rigorous economics contest and may be interested in higher-level economics pathways.

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5. John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - Economics

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Best for: strong essay writers who want a more academic challenge.

The John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize includes economics topics among its subject categories. It is not only an economics competition, but its economics category is relevant for students considering economics, PPE or related degrees.

Impact and value: High if shortlisted or awarded. It is widely known among internationally minded students and families, though it is competitive and should not be treated as an easy profile-builder.

Difficulty: High. Students need a thoughtful, well-structured essay with independent argument.

Who should enter: Strong writers who can handle abstract questions and build a sustained argument.

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6. Minds Underground Economics Essay Competition

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Best for: students who want economics essay practice with a super-curricular feel.

Minds Underground runs essay competitions across subjects, including economics. It is useful for students who want to practise reading, argument and university-style thinking.

Impact and value: Moderate. It can be useful as preparation and evidence of subject interest, though it is generally less field-defining than the very top essay prizes.

Difficulty: Medium to high, depending on the question and the student’s writing level.

Who should enter: Students who want to explore economics ideas in essay form before attempting higher-pressure competitions.

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7. Student Enterprise Programme (Ireland)

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Best for: Irish students who want to build and test a business idea.

This is not a pure economics competition. It is an entrepreneurship and enterprise programme run through schools and Local Enterprise Offices in Ireland.

It belongs in this guide because economics-minded students often also enjoy business, markets, pricing, customers and enterprise.

Impact and value: Strong practical value in Ireland. It shows initiative, teamwork, commercial thinking and the ability to turn an idea into action.

Difficulty: Medium. The challenge is less about theory and more about execution, teamwork, presentation and persistence.

Who should enter: Students interested in business, entrepreneurship, marketing, product ideas or practical commercial projects.

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8. Young Enterprise Company Programme (UK)

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Best for: UK students who want hands-on business experience.

Young Enterprise Company Programme is a well-known UK enterprise programme where students create and run a student company. It is highly relevant for business-minded students even though it is not a traditional economics contest.

Impact and value: Strong for enterprise and business skill development. It can be especially useful for students who want evidence of leadership, teamwork, sales, finance and communication.

Difficulty: Medium. It rewards consistency, organisation and teamwork more than exam-style academic ability.

Who should enter: Students who prefer building, selling, managing and presenting over writing essays.

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9. Cambridge King's Entrepreneurship Essay Competition 2026

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Best for: students interested in business ideas, entrepreneurship and analytical writing.

This competition sits between essay writing and enterprise thinking. It is not a pure economics competition, but it can suit students interested in markets, innovation, business models and commercial problem solving.

For 2026, the deadline is listed as 5 August 2026.

Impact and value: Good subject-interest value, especially for business, entrepreneurship, management or economics-adjacent profiles.

Difficulty: Medium to high. Students need clear ideas and strong writing, but the topic may feel more accessible than abstract economics essays.

Who should enter: Students who like business ideas and can explain them thoughtfully in writing.

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Which competition should your child choose?

For most students, one serious economics or business competition per year is enough. If they are also entering maths, science or writing competitions, choose carefully rather than overloading the calendar.

Related guide: How Many Competitions Should a Student Enter Each Year?

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Prestige and difficulty: a realistic view

Prestige depends on the student’s goal. A future economist may benefit most from a strong Discover Economics, FCDO, UK Economics Olympiad or John Locke entry. A future entrepreneur may gain more from Student Enterprise or Young Enterprise.

For a broader framework, see What Makes a Competition "Prestigious"?.

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Final advice

Economics and business competitions are not all testing the same thing.

Some reward analytical writing. Some reward policy judgement. Some reward theory. Some reward teamwork and execution. The right choice depends on whether the student wants to argue, analyse, present, or build.

For a beginner, start with the competition that feels most natural:

• curious about the news? Try Discover Economics or FCDO.
• based in Ireland and interested in economics? Plan for Oide YEOTY.
• strong essay writer? Consider John Locke or Minds Underground.
• business-minded and practical? Look at Student Enterprise or Young Enterprise.
• ready for a tougher contest? Explore UK Economics Olympiad.

The best outcome is not just an award. It is a student who can explain an economic problem more clearly than before.

Related reading:

• What Makes a Competition "Prestigious"?
• How Many Competitions Should a Student Enter Each Year?
• Writing Competitions Open Now: UK, Ireland & International Opportunities for Students

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Sources checked

• Discover Economics Young Economist of the Year 2026
• Oide Young Economist of the Year
• FCDO Next Generation Economics Competition
• UK Economics Olympiad
• John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize
• Minds Underground Competitions
• Student Enterprise Programme
• Young Enterprise Company Programme
• Cambridge King's Entrepreneurship Essay Competition