Explore student competitions.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Intermediate, this UK poetry competition is for students aged at least 16 and under 19 who are in secondary education. Entrants submit one anonymous poem responding to the annual theme for judging and cash prizes. The main challenge is developing an original poetic idea while controlling imagery, sound, lineation and editing within a single polished submission.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK and Ireland chemistry olympiad where students solve challenging written problems based on real-world chemical contexts. Open mainly to students aged 16+ through participating secondary schools and colleges. Rated Expert Level, with difficulty mainly coming from unfamiliar applications, advanced chemical reasoning and highly selective progression.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK space engineering competition where student teams design a crewed space settlement and present their proposal to industry-style judges. Open to students in Years 10–13, or equivalent, across the UK, usually in teams of 4–12. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from multidisciplinary engineering design, teamwork, technical decision-making and competitive progression to the national final.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK mathematics competition where students solve 25 multiple-choice problems in either the Grey or Pink Kangaroo for their year group. Open to UK-school students who qualify through the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge or are entered at their school’s discretion. Rated Intermediate Level, with difficulty mainly coming from selective qualification, increasingly challenging problems and time pressure.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK mathematics competition where students solve 25 multiple-choice problems requiring logical and non-routine thinking. Open to Year 8 or below students at UK schools who qualify through the Junior Mathematical Challenge or are entered at their school’s discretion. Rated Intermediate Level, with difficulty mainly coming from selective qualification, increasingly challenging problems and time pressure.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK mathematics competition where students solve 20 challenging integer-answer problems requiring logical and non-routine thinking. Open to Year 13 or below students at UK schools who qualify through the Senior Mathematical Challenge or are entered at their school’s discretion. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from selective qualification, increasingly demanding problems and the need to produce exact answers without multiple-choice options.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Expert, this UK school programme is for secondary and post-16 students who form and operate a team company through their school. Participants develop, trade and present a real venture before possible regional and national finals. The main challenge is combining product decisions, finance, sales, operations and persuasive pitching while sharing accountability over an extended project.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, this UK school team challenge is for eligible students in Years 8–11 and Sixth Form. Teams design, build and test a satellite model before regional activity and a national final. The main challenge is integrating electronics, programming, mechanical design, scientific measurement and project management into a robust device that can complete the published mission.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Intermediate, these creative competition strands are open through ISA member schools, with Sports Design serving Years 5–13 and other art categories covering relevant pupil groups. Schools manage entry into category or regional judging and national recognition. The main challenge is responding originally to the brief while showing thoughtful design choices, technique and clear visual communication.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, this law essay prize is intended for eligible Year 12 or Lower Sixth students, with international equivalents covered by the published Trinity guidance. Entrants choose the set question and submit one individual essay online. The main challenge is analysing a legal issue independently, structuring a precise argument and using relevant evidence without drifting into unsupported assertion.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Beginner, this UK creative-writing competition is for primary pupils aged 7–12, with schools or families able to use the published submission route. Entrants create a short original story within the stated word limit for judging and possible publication. The main challenge is building a complete, entertaining idea with vivid language in very little space.

QUICK SUMMARY

Stranger Sagas is an online UK creative-writing competition for secondary-age students, with entries accepted through schools or the published family route. Writers submit an original story for judging and possible publication. The main challenge is creating a distinctive setting and plot, sustaining tension and character, and delivering a satisfying narrative within the competition's required length.