Writing Competitions Open Now: UK, Ireland & International Opportunities for Students

Writing Competitions Open Now: UK, Ireland & International Opportunities for Students

For students who enjoy writing, a competition can be more than a deadline.

It can be a reason to finish a poem, sharpen an argument, explore a subject in depth, or practise writing for a real audience.

This roundup highlights writing-related competitions listed on CompeteMap that are currently open for entries as of 12 May 2026.

The best writing competition is not always the most prestigious one. It is the one that matches the student's age, interests, confidence, and available time.

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Quick overview

👉 Parent rule of thumb: choose one writing competition that fits the student's current voice. Do not enter several just because they are open.

1. I Am Writing Competitions 2026

Best for: teen, YA, middle grade, and creative writing categories
Region: International
Entry route: individual entry allowed
Deadline: 14 May 2026

The I Am Writing Competitions 2026 are a strong option for students interested in creative writing categories, including teen and young-adult focused writing.

Because the deadline is very close, this is only a realistic choice if the student already has a draft or a clear idea.

Good fit if your child:

• enjoys fiction or creative writing
• already has a piece nearly ready
• wants a near-term deadline
• is comfortable submitting independently

Think carefully if:

• they would need to start from zero
• the deadline would create stress
• school exams or other commitments are heavy this week

2. Wild Wonders

Best for: poetry and nature-inspired writing
Region: UK
Age range: 4-18
Entry route: school or individual
Deadline: 29 May 2026
Fee: free to enter

Wild Wonders is a poetry competition for young writers across a wide age range. It can work well for students who enjoy nature, animals, the environment, or imaginative writing.

This is one of the more accessible options because it is free and suitable for younger students as well as older pupils.

Good fit if your child:

• likes poetry
• enjoys nature or environmental themes
• wants a lower-pressure writing challenge
• is in the UK

👉 For younger or less experienced writers, poetry competitions can be a gentle first step because the entry does not need to be a long essay.

3. John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize 2026

Best for: ambitious academic essay writing
Region: International
Age range: students 18 and under, with younger categories
Entry route: individual entry allowed
Deadline: 31 May 2026

The John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize 2026 is one of the better-known international essay competitions for students interested in academic argument.

It is best suited to students who enjoy thinking deeply about big questions and can write a structured, evidence-based essay.

Good fit if your child:

• enjoys academic writing
• likes philosophy, politics, economics, history, law, or related subjects
• can build a clear argument
• has enough time to draft and edit carefully

May not be ideal if:

• the student has not written academic essays before
• they are only entering because it sounds prestigious
• there is not enough time to revise properly

❌ Avoid choosing an essay competition only because it looks impressive.
✔ Choose it because the student genuinely wants to think hard about the question.

4. Trinity College Cambridge Essay Prizes

Best for: Year 12 / Lower Sixth academic writing
Region: UK, with international applicants mentioned by Trinity
Entry route: individual entry allowed
Deadline: 31 July 2026

Trinity College Cambridge runs several essay prizes that may suit students interested in academic writing. Currently open writing-related options on CompeteMap include:

• Gould Prize for Essays in English Literature
• Languages and Cultures Essay Prize
• R.A. Butler Politics Prize

These are better suited to older students who can write with clarity, structure, and independent thought.

Good fit if your child:

• is in Year 12 / Lower Sixth or equivalent
• enjoys academic reading
• can respond to a complex essay question
• wants to practise university-style argument
• has time to plan, draft, and revise before 31 July

👉 Parent rule of thumb: Trinity essay prizes are not quick writing tasks. They suit students who enjoy sustained reading and argument.

5. Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2026

Best for: serious young poets
Region: International
Age range: 11-17
Entry route: individual entry allowed
Deadline: 31 July 2026
Fee: free

The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2026 is a major poetry competition for young writers.

It is a strong option for students who already write poems or want to take poetry more seriously. Because it is free and international, it can be accessible, but the standard may be high.

Good fit if your child:

• writes poetry independently
• enjoys experimenting with language
• is aged 11-17
• wants a recognised poetry competition
• can revise and polish their work

Parent tip: encourage students to submit poems that sound like their own voice, not poems that try too hard to sound "competition-winning."

6. Science in School Student Writing Contest 2026/2027

Best for: students who enjoy science communication
Region: International
Age range: 14-19
Entry route: individual entry allowed
Deadline: 1 August 2026
Fee: free

The Science in School Student Writing Contest 2026/2027 is a good option for students who enjoy both science and writing.

This is not just creative writing. It asks students to explain scientific ideas clearly, using a specific submission process.

Good fit if your child:

• likes science
• enjoys explaining ideas
• wants to practise science communication
• is aged 14-19
• can follow a template and submission instructions

This may suit students who are not primarily poets or fiction writers but still enjoy writing with clarity and purpose.

7. Future Voices 2026

Best for: poetry for older students
Region: UK
Age range: 12-18
Entry route: school or individual
Deadline: 31 December 2026
Fee: free to enter

Future Voices 2026 is an open-all-year poetry competition for students aged 12-18 in the UK.

Because the deadline is later in the year, it can be a good choice for students who want time to write, experiment, and revise.

Good fit if your child:

• is aged 12-18
• wants a flexible poetry deadline
• prefers creative writing to academic essays
• would benefit from a lower-pressure entry route

8. Poetry Stars 2026

Best for: younger poetry writers
Region: UK
Age range: 4-11
Entry route: school or individual
Deadline: 31 December 2026
Fee: free to enter

Poetry Stars 2026 is aimed at younger children and can be a gentle introduction to writing competitions.

It is especially suitable for primary-age students who enjoy short creative writing tasks.

Good fit if your child:

• is aged 4-11
• likes poems, rhymes, or short creative writing
• would enjoy a friendly first writing competition
• needs a low-pressure starting point

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Which writing competition should your child choose?

A good writing competition should match the student's current stage.

Younger writers usually benefit from short, creative formats. Older students may be ready for essays, argument, and subject-specific writing.

How parents can help

Parents can help without taking over.

Useful support includes:

• helping the student choose one suitable competition
• checking the deadline and eligibility
• encouraging early drafting
• asking what the piece is really about
• helping the student make time to revise
• reading for clarity, not rewriting the work
• reminding the student to follow rules carefully

The student's voice should remain their own.

A strong writing entry should sound like the student, not like an adult polished it into something unrecognisable.

Common mistakes to avoid

❌ Entering too many competitions at once
✔ Choose one or two and give each entry proper attention.

❌ Choosing only the most prestigious name
✔ Choose the format that fits the student's age and writing style.

❌ Submitting a first draft
✔ Leave time to revise.

❌ Ignoring rules and word limits
✔ Read the official entry instructions carefully.

❌ Letting adults over-edit
✔ Support the student without replacing their voice.

Related competitions on CompeteMap

You can explore the current writing competitions here:

• I Am Writing Competitions 2026
• Wild Wonders
• John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize 2026
• Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2026
• Science in School Student Writing Contest 2026/2027
• Future Voices 2026
• Poetry Stars 2026

Key Takeaways

• This roundup is based on writing competitions open on CompeteMap as of 12 May 2026.
• The closest deadline is I Am Writing Competitions 2026 on 14 May 2026.
• Poetry competitions can be a gentle starting point for younger students.
• Academic essay competitions suit older students who enjoy argument and independent reading.
• Science writing can be a good bridge for students who like both STEM and communication.
• Parents should help with planning and rule-checking, but the writing should remain student-led.
• Always check the official competition page before submitting, as dates and rules can change.

Final thoughts

Writing competitions can give students a reason to finish, revise, and share their work.

The right competition depends on the student's age, confidence, interests, and available time. A young poet, a science communicator, a fiction writer, and an academic essay writer may all need different opportunities.

Start with fit. Then check the deadline. Then leave enough time to revise.

That is usually a better plan than chasing every open competition at once.