Explore student competitions.

QUICK SUMMARY

An all-Ireland art competition where young artists submit original artwork for judging across age-based categories. Open to residents of the island of Ireland under 19, entering individually through school, art school or home entry. Rated Intermediate Level, with difficulty mainly coming from artistic originality, technical quality and competitive national judging.

QUICK SUMMARY

UK Chess Challenge is a nationwide junior chess pathway for UK players aged 18 or under, welcoming a wide range of playing experience through schools, clubs and individual routes. Participants can progress from local activity towards regional and national honours. The main challenge is making accurate decisions under time pressure and adapting across repeated games against unfamiliar opponents.

QUICK SUMMARY

A Great Britain and Ireland art competition where young people create original two-dimensional artwork responding to an annual theme. Open to young people aged 17 or under living within Rotary GB&I districts, with Junior, Intermediate and Senior age groups. Rated Intermediate Level, with difficulty mainly coming from artistic originality, interpretation of the theme and progression through local, district and national judging.

QUICK SUMMARY

A Great Britain and Ireland photography competition where young people submit original photographs responding to an annual theme. Open to young people aged 17 or under living within Rotary GB&I districts, with Junior, Intermediate and Senior age groups. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from originality, composition, interpretation of the theme and progression through local, district and national judging.

QUICK SUMMARY

An all-Ireland debating competition where secondary-school teams research and debate major global and social issues. Open to post-primary schools across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from research, argument construction, rebuttal and competitive multi-round debating.

QUICK SUMMARY

An Ireland-based sustainable fashion competition where students design, create and present high-fashion outfits made entirely from recycled or repurposed materials. Open to post-primary students aged 12–19 in Ireland. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from original design, craftsmanship, sustainability, live presentation and selective progression to the World Final.

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 Intermediate, this international Natural History Museum competition is for wildlife photographers aged 17 or under, with separate age categories. Entrants submit original images online and may progress to finalist recognition, exhibition and awards. The main challenge is combining ethical observation, technical control, patience and visual storytelling in a photograph that reveals something meaningful about nature.

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 free online photography competition is open to Commonwealth nationals and residents aged 18–30. Entrants submit their own images and supporting information through the competition platform. The main challenge is producing an original, technically controlled photograph that responds convincingly to the theme and communicates a clear visual story to an international judging panel.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK economics writing competition where students propose evidence-based responses to major global economic challenges. Open to students aged 14–18 studying at UK secondary schools or British international schools. Rated Intermediate Level, with difficulty mainly coming from economic analysis, policy evaluation and clear, persuasive writing.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK economics competition where students analyse a contemporary economic issue through a written, video, podcast or presentation entry. Open to Year 10–13 students, or equivalent, studying in the UK, entering individually or in teams of up to five. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from economic analysis, evidence-based argument and competitive national judging.