Explore student competitions.

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Rated Intermediate, Stone Soup’s current annual contest recognises original novels and long-form fiction, with accepted online work considered for possible print-book publication. Writers aged 18 or younger submit in English with parent or guardian authorization; the current contest requires at least 8,000 words. The main challenge is sustaining a coherent, original work across substantial length and first meeting Stone Soup’s editorial publication standard.

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A UK short story competition where children write an original story of up to 500 words. Open to children aged 5–11 living in the UK, with separate categories for ages 5–7 and 8–11. Rated Beginner Level, with difficulty mainly coming from originality, storytelling and expressing a complete idea within a short word limit.

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Rated Expert, This international school geography competition asks students to develop an evidence-led response to the 2026 migration question. It is free for eligible 16-18-year-old geography students, with each entry uploaded by a teacher before the deadline. The main challenge is combining current evidence, geographical analysis and independent judgement in a concise essay or StoryMap.

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A UK poetry competition where students write an original poem on any theme and in any style. Open to young people aged 12–18 living in the UK. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from originality, poetic technique and competitive judging.

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A UK poetry competition where primary-school pupils create an original poem in any style. Open to children aged 4–11 through participating UK schools. Rated Beginner Level, with difficulty mainly coming from creativity, self-expression and developing an original poem.

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An international academic writing competition where students analyse a contemporary global issue in a research-based article. Open to students in Grades 7–12 worldwide. Rated **Advanced Level**, with difficulty mainly coming from independent research, evidence-based analysis and the finalist oral defence.

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A UK short story competition where young writers submit an original work of fiction of up to 1,000 words. Open to young people aged 14–18 living in the UK. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from originality, narrative craft and highly competitive national judging.

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An international academic essay competition where students respond to subject-specific questions across a wide range of disciplines. Open to students aged 13–18 worldwide. Rated Advanced Level, with difficulty mainly coming from independent research, subject knowledge, critical analysis and competitive international judging.

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Rated Advanced, this international online essay category is open to school students who select the published economics question and submit an individual response. Entrants should check the live age category and rules before writing. The main challenge is developing a focused economic argument, using evidence carefully and sustaining clear analysis within the required essay format.

QUICK SUMMARY

Rated Advanced, these subject essay prizes are intended for eligible secondary students who submit individual written work online. Because annual subjects and eligibility can change, entrants should confirm the current Peterhouse page before choosing a question. The main challenge is developing an independent argument, selecting convincing evidence and sustaining precise academic writing within the stated brief.

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

Rated Intermediate, Write the World runs free monthly online competitions across changing writing genres, with entrants producing and revising an original piece for the current prompt. Writers aged 13–19 worldwide can enter individually through a free account; exact prompts and closing dates change each month. The main challenge is shaping an original response to a focused brief, using feedback selectively, and completing a polished revision within the monthly window.