Explore student competitions.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, this regional science-fair route is for second-level students associated with the Northwest Northern Ireland venue. Entrants submit a project for college-level exhibition, judging and awards through the published route. The main challenge is planning a sound investigation, collecting credible evidence and explaining methods, results and limitations clearly to judges.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, This school-invigilated astronomy and physics paper combines multiple-choice, short-response and longer analytical questions in a one-hour format. It is for Year 13 students and younger who are studying physics or an equivalent A-level course, with teachers arranging entry and marking. The main challenge is applying familiar physics and data analysis to celestial mechanics, stars, cosmology and observational astronomy in unfamiliar contexts.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Expert, This two-hour national astrophysics paper combines many short problems with a choice of extended questions and begins the UK astronomy team-selection route. It is open through schools to Year 13 students and younger, but it best suits confident A-level physicists prepared to study additional astronomy material. The main challenge is sustaining rigorous mathematical reasoning across celestial mechanics, stellar physics, optics and cosmology while selecting longer problems strategically.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Expert, A post-16 biology challenge built around two 45-minute online papers taken under school invigilation. Recognised schools register eligible upper-secondary students; individuals cannot enter directly. Questions move beyond recall, asking students to apply core principles, logic and biological intuition to unfamiliar material, with the strongest eligible UK performers considered for IBO team selection.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK physics olympiad where top students solve exceptionally challenging theoretical physics problems requiring advanced mathematical reasoning. Open by invitation to leading BPhO Round 1 performers who are eligible for UK team selection. Rated Expert Level, with difficulty mainly coming from advanced physics, complex multi-step problems and highly selective progression to national training.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Expert, This invitation-only three-hour astrophysics paper is the final written competition stage before the Oxford training and UK-team selection camp. Entry is limited to eligible top performers from Astro Round 1 or students invited to BPhO Round 2, and schools supervise the sitting. The main challenge is solving sustained, near-international-level astrophysics problems that demand high-level mathematical physics, specialist preparation and careful explanation.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Intermediate, This school-run physics quiz uses two short online papers covering core topics, practical awareness and everyday physical reasoning. It is aimed mainly at UK Year 10 students, with Year 9 and Year 11 also allowed, and entries are organised and supervised by teachers. The main challenge is answering a broad mix of unfamiliar multiple-choice questions accurately under two timed sessions.

QUICK SUMMARY

A UK physics competition where younger secondary students solve accessible physics problems designed to develop scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills. Open mainly to students in Years 7–8 through participating schools. Rated Intermediate Level, with difficulty mainly coming from applying basic physics ideas in unfamiliar contexts and reasoning beyond routine classroom questions.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, A U.S. school-team quiz competition covering science, energy and mathematics. Middle- and high-school teams register through an approved coach for the regional assigned to their school. Success requires broad subject coverage, rapid recall, precise team coordination and sustained preparation for a regional-to-national pathway.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, A US school-team STEM tournament system combining scientific knowledge, laboratory work, engineering builds and collaborative problem solving. Division B and C teams enter through registered schools and state programmes, with advancement from regional or state competition to Nationals. The main challenge is coordinating a fifteen-student team across a wide event slate while developing both specialist depth and dependable teamwork.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Expert, A national-team physics tournament built around months of theoretical and experimental research on 17 open-ended problems. Secondary students enter through their country’s selection and nomination route in teams of three to five. Competitors must produce defensible research, present it concisely, challenge another team’s work and respond live to opponents and an international jury across repeated Physics Fights.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, A team agriculture competition combining a research proposal with interviews, presentation and finalist calf-rearing. For groups of two to four Transition Year students from one Republic of Ireland school. The main challenge is the long finalist commitment combining animal care, original research, evidence gathering and formal presentation over 18 months.