Explore student competitions.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Intermediate, this arts competition is for eligible state-school students aged 14–16 across the UK and Ireland. Participants submit one creative response, with shortlisted entrants invited to a further event before an overall winner is selected. The main challenge is interpreting the annual theme originally and presenting a technically controlled piece with a clear personal idea.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, this UKMT follow-on challenge is for senior students who qualify through the Senior Mathematical Challenge or receive discretionary entry through a UK school. The 60-minute paper contains 20 integer-answer problems. Success depends on choosing efficient methods, maintaining accuracy across unfamiliar topics and checking three-digit answers without relying on multiple-choice options.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK mathematical olympiad where students solve six demanding proof-based problems. Open to eligible secondary-school students who qualify through the Senior Mathematical Challenge or are entered at their school’s discretion. Rated Expert Level, with difficulty mainly coming from advanced problem-solving, rigorous written proofs and selective progression to BMO Round 2.

QUICK SUMMARY

A global innovation competition where students develop a product or solution addressing a real-world problem. Open to teams of students aged 13–18 with an adult coach. Rated Advanced, with difficulty mainly coming from product development, market validation and multi-stage pitching.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK mathematical olympiad where students solve demanding proof-based problems across two rounds. Open to full-time secondary-school students through registered UKMT centres, with progression based mainly on performance in the Senior Mathematical Challenge and BMO Round 1. Rated Expert Level, with difficulty mainly coming from advanced problem-solving, rigorous proofs and highly selective progression.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, this algorithmic competition serves lower and upper secondary students in British schools. Participants begin with an online open round, and leading performers progress to a final. The central challenge is translating unfamiliar problems into precise algorithms, implementing efficient solutions and testing them carefully enough to perform reliably under competition time limits.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Intermediate, this UK team programme offers age-appropriate Discover, Explore and Challenge divisions for children from primary through secondary school. Teams design with LEGO, investigate a theme and, in the Challenge division, build and program a robot for tournament tasks. The main challenge is integrating engineering, coding, research, presentation and sustained teamwork.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK mathematical olympiad where students solve four exceptionally difficult proof-based problems. Open mainly to around 100 top performers from BMO Round 1, with discretionary school entries also permitted. Rated Expert Level, with difficulty mainly coming from advanced problem-solving, rigorous proofs and highly selective progression towards UK IMO training.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Expert, this in-person UK rocketry challenge is for school, college or youth-group teams of students aged 11–18. Teams build and test a rocket against the season's technical mission before qualifying launches and national competition. The main challenge is balancing safety, stability, payload protection and target flight performance through disciplined engineering and repeated evidence-led testing.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Expert, this UK team engineering challenge is entered through schools, colleges, education providers or youth groups for students aged 11–18. Teams design, build and launch a rocket through regional qualification and a national final, with international progression available. The main challenge is meeting strict flight specifications through safe engineering, testing, data analysis and coordinated iteration.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, this online visual-arts competition welcomes young people aged 18 or under across the island of Ireland. Entrants create an artwork, upload a digital entry and may be selected for the public gallery and awards. The main challenge is responding personally to the theme while demonstrating strong technique, originality and a clearly communicated artistic intention.

QUICK SUMMARY

UK Schools Music Festival offers primary and secondary pupils video-submission categories alongside selected live competition routes. Entrants use the school or individual process attached to their chosen instrument or category and must check its performance requirements. The main challenge is preparing a musically convincing interpretation, recording or performing it reliably, and responding confidently to formal adjudication.