oxbridge launchpad essay competition

• anjaliraghbeer
• Aug 12, 2023

Exploring the World of Oxbridge Essay Competitions: List of 10 Competitions and Subject Categories

Oxford and Cambridge, two prestigious universities located in the United Kingdom, are renowned for their rigorous academic standards and intellectual excellence. Among the many opportunities they offer, Oxbridge essay competitions stand out as a unique platform for students to showcase their critical thinking, research abilities, and passion for their chosen subjects. In this blog, we will delve into the world of Oxbridge essay competitions, providing you with 10 examples across various subject categories.

Humanities:

a) English Literature: The Oxford English Essay Prize invites students to explore literary themes, analyze texts, and develop well-structured arguments.

b) History: Cambridge's Historical Essay Competition covers a wide range of historical periods and encourages students to engage with primary and secondary sources.

Social Sciences:

a) Economics: The Marshall Society Essay Competition, organized by Cambridge, focuses on contemporary economic issues, requiring students to apply economic theories to real-world problems.

b) Politics and International Relations: The Oxford Political Review's Essay Competition offers students the chance to discuss political theories, analyze global events, and propose policy solutions.

a) Biological Sciences: The Oxford Biology Essay Competition explores topics such as genetics, ecology, and biotechnology, promoting critical thinking and scientific communication skills.

b) Physics: Cambridge's Woolf Essay Prize challenges students to delve into complex physics concepts, encouraging original thinking and clear explanations.

Mathematics and Computer Science:

a) Mathematics: The Oxford Mathematical Institute runs an essay competition that encourages students to explore mathematical concepts, solve problems, and present their findings concisely.

b) Computer Science: Cambridge's Computer Science Essay Prize asks students to tackle cutting-edge technological issues, discuss the social implications of computer science, and propose innovative solutions.

Philosophy and Theology:

a) Philosophy: The Oxford Philsoc Philosophy Essay Prize invites students to engage with philosophical ideas, argue for or against philosophical positions, and develop logical reasoning skills.

b) Theology: Cambridge's Theology and Religious Studies Essay Prize encourages students to explore religious texts, engage with theological debates, and critically analyze different religious traditions.

Creative Writing:

a) Poetry: The Oxford University Poetry Society's (OUPS) Poetry Competition invites aspiring poets to submit their original works, allowing them to express their creativity and showcase their poetic talent.

b) Short Story: Cambridge's The Thomas Campion English Prize for Creative Writing challenges students to craft compelling short stories, demonstrating their storytelling skills and imaginative prowess.

Conclusion:

Oxbridge essay competitions provide an exceptional opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of various subjects, refine their research and analytical skills, and engage with academia at a higher level. The examples mentioned above represent just a fraction of the wide range of competitions available across numerous disciplines. By participating in these competitions, students not only enhance their academic profiles but also gain valuable experience that prepares them for future studies and careers. So, if you have a passion for a particular subject, don't hesitate to explore the world of Oxbridge essay competitions and embark on an intellectual journey like no other.

Recent Posts

Specialized Test Prep for MCAT: Mastering Your Path to Medical School

Expanded Scholarship Opportunities: Breaking Down Financial Barriers in Higher Education

Career-Centric Study Programs: Paving the Path for Future Success

• Telephone Tel: +44 (0) 20 7499 2394
• Email Email: [email protected]

Strategic Guidance

• Private Oxbridge Consultation
• International Oxbridge Consultation
• Postgraduate Applications Guidance
• Book a Complimentary Call

Comprehensive Support

• The Premier Service
• Oxford and Cambridge Interview Preparation Weekend

Targeted Support

• Oxbridge Personal Statement Support
• Oxbridge Admissions Test Support
• Oxbridge Interview Preparation Support
• Admissions Test Preparation Day 2024

Application Guidance

• ‘Aspiring to Oxbridge’ School Talk
• Teacher Training Workshop
• Individual Guidance Consultations

Personal Statement Support

• Personal Statement Group Workshop
• Personal Statement Consultations

Admissions Test Preparation

• Admissions Test Day
• Admissions Test Course

Interview Preparation

• Interview Preparation Day
• Interview Preparation Course

Free Library

• Oxbridge Interview Resources

Admissions Tests Resources

• Student Library
• Teacher Library
• Keeping You Current
• Webinar Library

Our Publications

Course reports, oxbridge applications.

• Become A Tutor
• Our Offices
• Dukes Education

News & Press

• Widening Access
• Publications
• Sign In Register
• Sign In    Register

A Comprehensive Guide to the Cambridge College Essay Competitions

Cambridge college essay competitions, thinking of applying to oxbridge but need new ways to get ahead of the game with your application what plenty of students aren’t aware of is the fact that many of the cambridge colleges hold essay prizes for students in year 12 focusing on various subjects, allowing prospective applicants to get a taste of what uni-level essay writing might be like, as well as giving you something great to put on your cv. below is a comprehensive list of the essay competitions help by the various cambridge colleges, listed by subject. if any of them take your fancy, be sure to head over to the college website to get more details about how to enter and when the deadlines are we’ve also included past and present questions to give you a bit of an idea about what each competition is likely to entail., multi-disciplinary/humanities robinson college essay prize the robinson college essay prize is open to all students in year 12 (lower sixth, or equivalent) at a uk school during the 2020-21 academic year. it is designed to give students the opportunity to develop and showcase their independent study and writing skills. entrants are invited to submit a response to any one of the questions given, which should be no longer than 2,000 words (including footnotes and captions). the questions may be discussed with reference to any academic discipline or area of interest. up to three entries may be submitted per school, so please discuss your application with your school prior to entry. 2021 questions: 1. "a person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury." (js mill). do you agree 2. 'creativity should be the highest goal of education.' discuss. 3. "in policy making, there is no such thing as 'the data', and therefore no such thing as 'acting on the data'." do you agree 4. "the translated text must add up to the original... [translation] is like a problem in math—using different numbers, the answer must be the same, different numbers must add up to the same answer." (lydia davis). discuss. 5. watch this video featuring the poet kamau braithwaite and discuss the significance of 'archives of freedom'. girton college humanities writing competition this annual competition is an opportunity for year 12 students to research and write beyond the curriculum, using one or more of the lawrence room museum objects, as their focus. essays or creative responses (such as dramatic monologues or short stories) are equally welcome. the judges are looking for the ability to connect different areas of knowledge, to think about details and to communicate clearly. archaeology fitzwilliam college archaeology essay competition this essay competition is for students in year 21 or equivalent; limit of 2500 words. 2022 questions: 1. what can responses to climate in the past teach us today 2. in what ways does the study of archaeology remain political 3. how is construction and building in the past symptomatic of imminent social collapse architecture fitzwilliam college architecture design competition 2022 brief: you are challenged to design a new building somewhere on the fitzwilliam college site. this building will serve as a hub for interaction between teaching staff and students, where they can share and explore ideas. during the design process, you will need to think about what programmes or activities need to be accommodated in the new building. for instance, you can consider including spaces for social interaction such as a new cafe, as well as spaces to have quieter conversations in groups of different sizes. you must also consider possible locations for the new building within the college site, taking into consideration the other college buildings in your design, as well as the landscaped areas preserving mature trees as much as possible. this should be seen as an opportunity to create an interesting relationship between the interior and exterior spaces. you are required to submit: - project title that best describes your design intention and final design solution - design narrative of 500 words that concisely explains your design inspiration, design objective, and final design strategy developed to meet your design objective - drawings that show the following: 1) floor plan(s) of your building at 1:200 scale 2) one elevation and one section of the building that best describes main features of the design solution 3) one site plan that indicates the location of the building in relation to existing buildings in the college site. a detailed site plan showing the ground floor plans of the individual buildings is available on the essay competition website for reference, but you should produce a new drawing for the competition submission. 4) one perspective drawing of your building that highlights your design intention and shows the placement of a new building in relation to existing college buildings nearby. classics fitzwilliam college ancient world and classics essay competition this essay competition is for students in year 21 or equivalent; limit of 2500 words. 2022 questions: 1. do ancient audiences / readers / listeners matter to our interpretations of ancient texts discuss with reference to any text or texts of your choice. 2. why do we need new translations of ancient texts discuss with reference to any text or texts of your choice. 3. “the ancient world was more concerned with controlling nature than conserving it.” discuss with reference to any area or period of your choice. 4. when does childhood end in the ancient world discuss with reference to any area or period of your choice. 5. why does aristotle say that people are ‘political animals’ was he right 6. how important was trade with the near east and / or egypt in any period of your choice english trinity college gould prize for essays in english literature trinity college launched the gould prize for essays in english literature in 2013. this is an annual competition for year 12 or lower 6th students. the prize has been established from a bequest made by dr dennis gould in 2004 for the furtherance of education in english literature. candidates are invited each year to submit an essay of between 1,500 and 2,500 words on a topic to be chosen from the list of questions. newnham college the woolf essay prize n 1928, virginia woolf addressed the newnham arts society on the subject of ‘women and fiction’, and from this talk emerged her seminal text, a room of one’s own. a room of one’s own raises a number of questions surrounding the place of women in society and culture, and the competition allows students to contemplate these themes and ideas while developing the independent research and writing skills essential to university-level study. 2021-22 questions: 1. ‘only the fellows and scholars are allowed here; the gravel is the place for me.’ how have female writers been inspired by limitations placed on their educational experiences you may discuss historical or modern-day examples. 2. ‘a woman might write letters while she was sitting by her father’s sick-bed. she might write them by the fire whilst the men talked without disturbing them’. how might letters add to our understanding of female writers and their work you may discuss the letters of any female author, poet or playwright. 3. ‘anonymity runs in their blood. […] they are not even now as concerned about the health of their fame as men are, and speaking generally, will pass a tombstone or a signpost without feeling an irresistible desire to cut their names into it’. should the women of the past be commemorated in a different manner to their male counterparts explain. queen’s college the estelle prize for english queens' college invites submissions for the english prize 2021, which will be awarded to the best essay submitted by a year 12 (lower sixth form) student. essays must be less that 2500 words., fitzwilliam college history essay competition this essay competition is for students in year 21 or equivalent; limit of 2500 words. 2022 brief: fitzwilliam college traces its origins to 1869, when the university of cambridge launched an initiative to facilitate access to higher education for the many students who could not afford the costs of college membership. the initiative was part of the broader transformation of education in britain, as the changes wrought by industrialisation and urbanisation created a need to cater for a growing, increasingly diverse and literate population. earlier decades had already witnessed the establishment of king’s college london, durham university, and the university of london, for instance, and colleges for women were beginning to open in cambridge and oxford. these radical social and economic changes were themselves connected to the intensification of globalisation in the second half of the nineteenth century, which placed britain at the heart of an ever-tighter web of economic relations between the world’s continents. but the same year also witnessed the birth of mohandas – later mahatma – gandhi, who would come to challenge britain’s colonial rule and lead india on the path to independence; the death of alphonse de lamartine, the poet and politician who had proudly proclaimed france’s second republic in 1848, but whose final years were lived under the more authoritarian second empire; the marriage of emperor meiji, which consolidated japan’s monarchy as the country began a new process of industrialisation; and the establishment by susan b. anthony and elizabeth cady stanton of the national woman suffrage association in a united states still recovering from the civil war. in 1869, as throughout history, old and new worlds collided. we invite applicants to examine, in their essays, a topic of their choice, connected to the changes taking place in or around the year 1869. essays may focus on a particular event, a person, a political movement, or even a process of social, economic or cultural change, but they should consider the interaction of ‘old’ and ‘new’ forces which the chosen topic illuminates. fitzwilliam college rosemary horrox medieval world essay competition this essay competition is for students in year 21 or equivalent; limit of 2500 words. 2022 questions: 1. how can the study of dead languages help us understand medieval cultures 2. what qualities made heroes heroic and villains villainous in medieval literature 3. how far do medieval texts give us any cause for optimism in their presentation of gender 4. did the european middle ages witness the “invention of race” 5. were war and/or rebellion the defining features of medieval society 6. “medieval europe cannot be studied in isolation from the rest of the world”. do you agree trinity college robson history prize the robson history prize is an annual competition for year 12 or lower 6th students. the prize was established in 2007 in memory of the historian robert robson, who was for many years a fellow and tutor at trinity. the aims of the robson prize are twofold: firstly, to encourage ambitious and talented year 12 or lower sixth students considering applying to university to read history or a related discipline; and secondly, to recognize the achievements both of high-calibre students and of those who teach them. 2022 questions: the robson history prize for 2022 had 94 questions in the categories of british history, european history, world history, and historiography, so head to the website for the full list. newnham college history essay prize the newnham history essay prize is open to all female students currently in year 12 (lower sixth) at uk state school. essays should be between 1500 and 2500 words. 2021-22 questions: 1. ‘historians shouldn’t be political pundits’. discuss 2. can the history of clothing tell us about anything other than changes in fashion 3. is historical change driven by great individuals, land economy fitzwilliam college land economy essay competition this essay competition is for students in year 21 or equivalent; limit of 2500 words. 2022 questions: 1. do you believe that environmentalist civil society organisations, such as extinction rebellion and greenpeace, can be effective at pushing governments to adopt environmental policies aimed at addressing the climate and ecological crises 2. ‘territorial inequality between different parts of the uk is extremely high. this undermines the principle of equality of opportunities, because individuals’ life chances crucially depend on where one happens to be born and raised.’ discuss, possibly drawing on examples from your own area of residence. 3. some argue that the covid-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted the fate of inner cities and, in the future, expensive, commuter-driven urban cores will decline in favour of less compact/dense areas such as towns and the countryside. do you agree, law trinity college robert walker prize for essays in law the prize is named after an honorary fellow of the college, lord walker of gestingthorpe, a retired justice of the supreme court and former law student at trinity. essays can be of any length up to 2,000 words (including footnotes). 2022 question: ‘what responsibilities in connection with the environment and sustainability, if any, should the law assign to owners and to occupiers of land’, linguistics trinity college linguistics essay prize this annual essay competition aims to raise awareness of the systematic study of language as an interesting and multifaceted subject in and of itself. the competition is open to all students with an interest in how language works regardless of the specific subjects they are currently studying at a-level (or similar qualification). for example, it may be of interest to students taking a-levels in modern languages, english language or classics, but also to students taking psychology or mathematics. 2022 topic: ‘people who speak two or more languages or dialects sometimes switch between them within the same conversation, and even within the same sentence. what reasons make people switch languages (or dialects) why is this interesting for linguists should linguists prescribe if switching is good or bad’, philosophy trinity college philosophy essay prize the philosophy essay prize is open to year 12 or lower 6th students. the aim of the prize is to encourage able sixth formers to pursue their interest in philosophy, with the hope that they will be encouraged to read this or related subjects at university. 2022 questions: - which philosophical insight that you have come across in your life so far has been the most important one for you - what is the difference between knowledge and understanding - is truth a human invention newnham college philosophy essay prize the newnham philosophy essay prize is open to all female students currently in year 12 (lower sixth) at a uk state school. it is designed to give students the opportunity to think and write about philosophy and philosophical matters in the broadest sense, while developing their independent study and writing skills. through exposure to the type of work they might be expected to do at cambridge, newnham hope to encourage philosophy applicants to the university – and hopefully to newnham, where women’s history and educational excellence are, of course, central. 2021-22 question: ‘sentences such as “a good oak tree has deep roots” can be true, and true irrespective of anybody’s opinion. in other words, such sentences can be objectively true. now, the word “good” doesn’t change its meaning just because it’s being applied to members of one species rather than another. so, sentences such as “a good human being is kind” can be objectively true as well.’ should we be convinced by this kind of argument for the objectivity of ethical judgements, politics trinity college r.a. butler politics prize the objectives of the r.a. butler prize are twofold. firstly, it aims to encourage students with an interest in modern politics and world affairs to think about undertaking university studies in politics, international studies or a related discipline; it is not limited to those already studying these subjects or indeed other social sciences. secondly, its intention is to recognise the achievements both of high-calibre students and of those who teach them. essays can be up to 3,000 words, including all footnotes and references but excluding the bibliography. 2022 questions: - whom do elected representatives, in practice, represent - are the police institutionally discriminatory -  is it ever legitimate for one country to invade another - should countries be punished for the actions of their leaders - do international regional organisations offer the best prospects for cooperation between states in the contemporary world - are international organisations biased towards the interests of wealthy countries - what should the uk be doing to help refugees - should every family own its own home - what statues should come down, and which (if any) should stay up - what policies should the uk government be implementing to ensure it meets its commitments made at the un climate change conferences, maths newnham college philippa fawcett mathematics essay prize the philippa fawcett mathematics prize is open to all female students currently in year 12 (lower sixth) at a uk state school. the prize may be of particular interest to those studying mathematics, statistics or further mathematics but we welcome entries from interested students studying any combination of subjects. entrants are invited to submit a response to any one of the questions below. submissions should comply with the following: • 4-6 a4 sides maximum including all figures, diagrams, tables and bibliography • 12 point font minimum • 2 cm margins minimum • 2500 words max. 2021-22 questions: 1. how does mathematics protect your privacy online 2. what are the most fascinating aspects behind the mathematics of music discuss how mathematics is related to the theory of musical structures and/or instruments. 3. mathematics and climate change: what role do you think mathematics can play in guiding policy makers and in helping public understanding, medicine newnham college medicine prize the newnham college medicine prize is open to all female students currently in year 12 (lower sixth) at a maintained sector uk school. the prize may be of particular interest to those studying biology and chemistry, but we welcome entries from interested students studying any combination of subjects. entrants are invited to submit a response to any one of the questions below. submissions should comply with the following: • 6 a4 sides maximum including all figures, diagrams, tables and bibliography • 12 point font minimum • 2 cm margins minimum • 1500-2500 words total (including footnotes and figure captions, but excluding bibliography) 2021-22 questions: 1. how realistic is it to develop a small molecule therapy for covid-19 could such a therapy be rolled out in a timeframe that it could have an impact on the current pandemic 2. sleep deprivation in clinical health settings. does it matter 3. looking to the future. will stem cell therapies be outpaced by machine-brain interfaces for the treatment of retinal disease, music newnham college music essay prize the newnham music essay prize is open to all female students currently in year 12 (lower sixth) at a maintained sector uk school. it is designed to give students the opportunity to think and write about music in its broadest context, while developing their independent study and writing skills. 2021-22 questions: 1) how have improvements in transport and communications infrastructure affected the history of music – and in what ways might they do so in future 2) evaluate the challenges and opportunities presented to musical culture in a time of global pandemic. 3) in some ways music can be thought of as the ultimate interdisciplinary subject, but it is also highly specialised in other respects. examine this paradox in the context of the debate about music’s role in primary and secondary education., sciences newnham college engineering essay prize the newnham engineering prize is open to all female students currently in year 12 (lower sixth) at a uk state school. the prize may be of particular interest to those studying physics, mathematics, further mathematics, chemistry, biology, design and technology or economics, but they welcome entries from interested students studying any combination of subjects. 2021-22 questions: 1. what can engineers do to mitigate climate change - atmospheric levels of co2 are increasing and the world is waking up to the problem of climate change brought about by human-generated greenhouse gas emissions. as engineers, we have the skills and expertise to make a difference, providing technological solutions to reduce global carbon emissions. all engineering disciplines have a role to play and some areas are suggested below. (a) electric power generation and consumption. what are ‘renewable sources’ of electric power generation how do they work and what are their strengths and limitations are there any new sources being researched and developed that might provide solutions for the future could the uk generate all its electricity from renewable sources - how can we reduce our demand for electric power so that we don’t need to generate so much - there may be opportunities in both domestic and commercial/industrial consumption, e.g. energy efficient homes, energy-efficient manufacturing, low power consumer electronics. (b) transport. modern lifestyles involve a lot of transport, of people as well as goods. how energy-efficient are different modes of transport, and what is the potential for reducing their carbon footprint (c) construction. this sector is one of the biggest emitters of carbon globally. the carbon emissions arise from many sources, especially the huge amount of concrete used in construction projects but also including the energy to power machines. do we have any alternatives for materials or technology strategies to reduce these emissions (d) other engineering areas. technological solutions can be found in all engineering disciplines. you are encouraged to choose for the topic of your essay an example that interests you. 2. data and information engineering data and information engineering is being used everywhere around us. our life increasingly relies on data analysis, from the recent developments in the automotive sector to social media, from machine assisted surgery to law forensics. the data deluge provided by recent technological advances has made automation in data analysis necessary to identify hidden patterns of information within the considered datasets. it is also true that a fully automated world could bring new risks and dangers that did not exist even just a few years ago (e.g., the ethical dilemmas of self driving cars). write an essay on the major aspects of social awareness in ai development, and how this could impact: a) the health sector. b) government, democracy and policing. c) sustainable development. d) another major topic of your interest. you are encouraged to think about the engineering considerations related to some of these topics as well as the ethical considerations. what makes an algorithm particularly helpful or harmful newnham college biological sciences essay prize the newnham college biological sciences prize is open to all female students currently in year 12 (lower sixth) at a uk state school. the prize may be of particular interest to those studying biology, chemistry, physics, or mathematics, but we welcome entries from interested students studying any combination of subjects. entrants are invited to submit a response to any one of the titles overleaf. submissions should comply with the following: - 5 a4 sides maximum including all figures, diagrams, tables and bibliography - 12 point font minimum - 2 cm margins minimum - 2500 words max. 2021-22 questions: 1. is biology in a reproducibility crisis 2. assess the contribution of artificial intelligence (ai) to recent scientific advances. 3. past and present: how has infection shaped the human genome newnham college computer science essay prize the computer science essay prize is open to all female students currently in year 12 (lower sixth) at a maintained sector uk school. the prize may be of particular interest to those studying computer science, mathematics, physics, or chemistry, but we welcome entries from interested students studying any combination of subjects. entrants are invited to submit a response to any one of the questions overleaf. submissions should comply with the following: - 4-6 a4 sides maximum including all figures, diagrams, tables and bibliography - 12 point font minimum - 2 cm margins minimum - 2500 words maximum 2021-22 questions: 1. is there a fundamental difference between self-driving cars and a "slaughter army" of killer drones 2. mobile phone apps are generally written by commercial entities for private gain. if you had the same resources to design one mobile phone app that would make the world better, what would it be and how would it work, get in touch.

Here at Oxbridge Applications we specialise in offering tailored, subject-specific advice to applicants every single day, all curated by a team of Oxbridge graduates who have all made the most of the process themselves. For more details about how we can support you in your application, email [email protected] , or call us on +44 (0)20 7499 2394 .

Related Content

Will my admissions test ask me for any specific knowledge, how can i help my child prepare for their oxbridge interviews as a parent or guardian, interviews – the last hurdle.

Our Oxbridge-graduate consultants are available between 9.00 am – 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday, with additional evening availability when requested.

• Tel: +44 (0) 20 7499 2394
• Email: [email protected]

Oxbridge Applications, 58 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ

• Private Oxbridge Application Consultation
• Oxbridge Personal Statement Support Package
• Oxbridge Mock Interview Preparation and Support
• Personal Statement Workshop and Checks
• Schools Mock Interviews – Online and In-School
• Teacher Training Workshops – Online and In-School
• Oxbridge Preparation Days – Online and In-School
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Safeguarding & Child Protection
• Company Registration Number: 3757054

Recently Updated Blogs

Blog overused topics and resources to avoid in your personal statement, blog what gcse grades do i need for oxbridge, blog how will my gcses impact my university applications, blog updates to the ucas personal statement for 2026 entry, blog you’ve received your a-level results: what next, choosing a college, a slippery question, added to cart.

Bookings Open for Online Summer Courses

Essay Question 2024

Most outstanding essay 2024.

We are very pleased to announce that Ophelia Ridgwell has won the award for the Most Outstanding Essay 2024, with an essay on the subject of Engineering. She has won a free place on the Oxford Scholastica Academy (our sister organisation) Oxford Summer School 2024, worth £6,995. Congratulations Ophelia!

Her winning essay is available to read below.

Your Title Goes Here

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Blurring the boundaries between Medicine and Engineering: Biomedical Engineering.

Collaboration is fundamental to biomedical engineering. As a relatively new academic field, biomedical engineering is set to grow well beyond what has previously restricted the development of a field. By combining most areas of STEM, it is a prime example of what the future of academia will look like. Biomedical engineering creates a harmonious blend of knowledge and an opportunity where everyone is welcome—inviting both biologists and physics alike, to create products which will increasingly have an immense impact on everyday life.

Every day we take for granted products which have been created by biomedical engineers to enhance our everyday life. Without these products, global productivity would be impacted as our life expectancy would be significantly lower. Take as a seemingly small example, contact lenses. It is estimated that around 16% of Adults in the US rely on these daily, equating to 40.9 million people (Jennifer R. Cope, 2015). First conceived in 1801 by the scientist Thomas Young, the idea of contact lenses has existed for centuries (Brewer, 2022). However, it wasn’t until a breakthrough in the late 1950s that contact lenses were made accessible to a wider population. The key innovation being the development of a new material which was softer than the traditional glass-blown lenses (A Family Optician, 2017). This product revolutionized the field of optometry allowing those needing correction to their vision to go without glasses for the first time. Take another relevant example, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machines. Providing images of the human body in far more detail than is possible with an X-ray, MRIs are a critical instrument used within hospitals for the scanning of the brain, spinal cord, muscles and orthopedic injuries (National Institute of Health, n.d.). By using this machine, doctors can identify, treat and prevent injuries which could life life-threatening. Currently, it is said that over 150 million people have had MRI scans globally, with the technology only having been developed in the 1979s (ISMRM , 2023).

Subject Category Winners

Prizes 2024

Prizes include:

• Most Outstanding Essay (prize: a place on our sister organisation, the Oxford Scholastica Academy’s residential Oxford summer school , worth £6,995)
• Best Essay for each subject category (prize: a place on an OxBright online course or internship , worth £995)
• Highly Commended (for the the top 20% of entries, who receive a Certificate of Achievement)

• Application Process
• Open Days – 26th and 27th June 2024
• The Tutorial System
• Living in College
• Our Undergraduates
• Undergraduate Courses
• Fellows and Lecturers 2023-24
• Graduate Accommodation
• Graduate Funding
• Graduate Life
• Middle Common Room
• Apply for the Visiting Student Programme
• Working with teachers

Essay Competitions

• Kent Coast Runs & Other Events
• Quick Contact – The College Office
• Dates of Term & Move-in Dates
• Academic Feedback Form
• Degree Ceremonies
• Academic Transcripts, Letters & Certificates
• Academic Awards & Prizes
• Learning Development & Support Tutor
• Accessibility Guide
• Accident and Near-Miss Report Form
• Accommodation, Grounds & Facilities
• Discipline & Deans
• Chapel & Faith
• Health & Welfare
• IT Services
• Undergraduates
• Being at St Hugh’s
• Studying at St Hugh’s
• Making the most of St Hugh’s
• Emergencies
• Discover St Hugh’s
• The Buildings
• The Gardens
• The College Archive
• Whom to contact about……?
• Visiting the College
• The Lady Ademola Project
• Work For Us
• Our Community
• Staff Facilities
• The College Lodge
• Privacy & Data Protection
• Freedom of Information
• Accessibility Statement
• St Hugh’s College Shop
• Update Your Details
• Your Development Team
• Supporting the College
• Forthcoming Alumni Events
• Alumni Association
• 100 Years of Oxford Degrees for Women
• Alumni Communications
• Alumni News
• Celebration Events
• Meetings & Conferences
• Private Dining
• Accommodation
• The Conference & Events Team
• College Events

Home → Study Here → Outreach → Essay Competitions

St Hugh’s essay competitions are open to Sixth Formers from the UK and across the world. These are a fantastic opportunity to explore a topic of interest in a particular subject in more depth, whether something you have studied at school has inspired you, or whether you are keen to broaden your horizons in a new academic discipline.

This year’s essay competitions are now closed. Entrants will be contacted in due course with the outcome of their entry.

To find out more about these competitions please click on the links below:

• Julia Wood – History
• Mary Renault – Classical Reception
• Kavita Singh – Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
• Gwyneth Bebb – Law

Privacy Overview

Big Think Competition

⚠️ Submissions are now closed for 2024! You can view the winning entries for 2024 here . If you’d like to be notified when the competition returns in 2025, please complete the form below.

• Register Interest for the Big Think Competition 2025

Enter our Big Think Competition!

Every year, we invite students across the UK to tackle one of our academics’ ‘big’ questions. These have been specially designed to challenge you beyond your normal school curriculum and get you thinking ‘big’ about your subject and what it might be like to study it at university. Simply record a video of 5 minutes or less presenting your arguments, research, evidence and opinions.

• £100 1st Prize
• £50 2nd Prize
• £35 Subject Commendations

To enter you must:

• live in the UK
• attend a state school
• be in Year 11, Year 12 or Year 13

Winners will also all be invited to Oxford for the day where they will get to discuss their entries with subject tutors, have a tour of the college with current students and enjoy lunch in our dining hall.

How to enter:

• Send us a video of no more than 5 minutes in length.
• You don’t need any fancy equipment, you can film it on your phone if you like – we will be judging based on your engagement with the questions.
• Your video doesn’t have to include your face if you don’t want – feel free to get creative! You could narrate a PowerPoint, record yourself drawing or even apply your TikTok-making skills…
• Submit your video as an unlisted YouTube video or via WeTransfer.

Biochemistry

Do our genes define who we are?

Question set by Prof. Lars Jansen, tutor in Biochemistry at St Edmund Hall. His lab focuses on understanding chromatin structure and function in human cell systems.

Last year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots. Why?

Question set by Annina Lieberherr, a DPhil candidate at Lincoln College Oxford. Her research is centred around the theoretical description of spectroscopy, and she teaches Mathematics for Chemists at St Catherine’s College.

Earth Sciences

When did complex life on land evolve?

Question set by Prof. Claire Nichols, tutor in Earth Sciences at St Edmund Hall. Claire has been teaching Earth Sciences at the College since 2021. After initially aspiring to be a theoretical physicist, she quickly discovered the practical side of Earth Sciences was a much better fit and particularly enjoyed field trips and the opportunities to travel to remote places.

Engineering

Should we let robots do all the driving?

Question set by Prof. Paul Goulart, tutor in Engineering at St Edmund Hall. After initially studying Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT, Paul went on to specialise in Control Engineering.

Is Shakespeare better than Taylor Swift? (Feel free to use another artist if you prefer!)

Question set by Dr Tom MacFaul, tutor in English at St Edmund Hall. Tom splits his time between teaching and pursuing his own research. This question draws on his own interests in how writers respond to ideological and political changes in their work.

Can development ever be sustainable?

Question set by Dr Lorraine Wild, tutor in Geography at St Edmund Hall. Lorraine teaches all aspects of human geography at St Edmund Hall, and is also a Lecturer at Worcester and St Hilda’s College. Lorraine is also the Academic Administrator at the School of Geography and the Environment, leading outreach work for the undergraduate course and having oversight of the delivery of all of the Geography programmes within the department.

Historians disagree all the time, so how can we trust what they write?

Question set by Prof. Filippo de Vivo, tutor in History at St Edmund Hall. Having studied in Milan, Cambridge and Paris, his research focuses on the history of communication and politics in Italy and the Mediterranean.

What is the role of law/lawyers in addressing climate change?

Question set by Prof. Joanna Bell, tutor in Law at St Edmund Hall. She teaches Administrative Law, Constitutional Law and Tort for the college, as well as Environmental Law for the Faculty.

Materials Science

How and why can new materials contribute to the clean energy revolution?

Question set by Dr Joe Prentice, tutor in Materials Science at St Edmund Hall. Joe’s research is in the realm of materials modelling – using theoretical tools to model and predict the properties of materials.

Is maths created or discovered?

Question set by Dr Tom Crawford, tutor in Maths at St Edmund Hall but you might have heard of him as Tom Rocks Maths on YouTube. He uses his specialism in Applied Mathematics to produce content on his channel, as well as working with the BBC and Numberphile.

Medical Sciences

How is artificial intelligence shaping the future of medicine and biomedical sciences?

Question set by Prof. David Dupret, tutor in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at St Edmund Hall. David teaches Neurosciences to our students. His research group is looking at how the different regions of the brain help us use memories to guide our behaviour.

Modern Languages

Is there such a thing as an untranslatable word?

Question set by Dr Holly Langstaff, tutor in Modern Languages at St Edmund Hall. She researches and teaches French literature from the nineteenth to twenty-first centuries. She also runs several outreach initiatives, such as the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation , the  Think Like a Linguist  project and  Bristol Translates Summer School .

Is Pluto a planet?

Question set by Prof. Carly Howett, tutor in Physics at St Edmund Hall. She is also a planetary physicist who specialises in space studies. Carly helps to develop new instruments allowing us to explore the solar system and has been a part of several projects at NASA.

Is online anonymity a threat to democracy?

Question set by Dr Orlando Lazar, tutor in Politics at St Edmund Hall. He specialises in the theory of politics, and he enjoys teaching students about this in their topics on Marxism and Feminism. His own research has looked at applying these theories to issues such as domination and power in the workplace.

Why don’t people do what they know they should?

Question set by Dr Iana Alexeeva, tutor in Experimental Psychology at St Edmund Hall. Iana teaches on a variety of topics from psychological disorders to information processing. In particular, she is interested in how cognitive and emotional processes play a role in coping with illness and treatment.

Picked your question? Get thinking and submit your entry by Wednesday 1 May!

Submit your entry here

Oxbridge Essay Competition Suggestions??

Quick Reply

Related discussions.

• Applying for History at Cambridge
• Immerse education - is it legit or scam??
• What can I do to boost my chances of getting into a good uni?
• Applying to PPE at Oxford Tips?
• Immerse education 2023 essay comp- anyone going to enter?
• Super-curricular activities
• Obsessed with Oxbridge?
• Cambridge economics
• Economics Personal Statement
• A level+ 2024 Results Day Countdown - Hub is open! #FindYourFuture
• Y11- economics at oxbridge?
• Forgot to cite source in essay competition!
• Applying to American colleges as a Uk student
• Hoping to apply for Oxford from Ireland and wondering about my junior cycle?
• Retake year 12 (Hopes for Oxbridge)
• Could I go to Oxford?
• Economics Undergraduate at Oxbridge
• EXTRA AND SUPER SUPER-CURRICULARSS- pls help :) UNI
• Would I be able to get into Oxbridge Law with these subjects?

Last reply 21 hours ago

Last reply 1 day ago

Last reply 3 days ago

Last reply 4 days ago

Last reply 5 days ago

Last reply 1 week ago

Last reply 2 weeks ago

Articles for you

A guide to the Oxbridge application process

The basics of applying to university: glossary of terms

Finding a university place in Ucas Clearing 2024: 10 top tips to help you get ready

Top 10 tips for Ucas Clearing 2024

• _Job Opportunities
• _Resume Makeover
• _LinkedIn Optimizer
• _Interview Preparation
• _Cover Letter Writting
• Help Center
• _Contact Us
• _Side Hustle Ideas

Empower Your Academia: OxBright's Annual Essay Competition for Bright 15-18 Year Olds - Unlock Opportunities, Scholarships, and Personal Growth

Submit an application

OxBright, an organization dedicated to empowering students, hosts an annual essay competition for bright 15-18 year olds. The competition aims to challenge students to think beyond the school curriculum and explore various subjects. Essays are assessed based on relevance, coherence, creativity, originality of ideas, use of evidence or examples, and relevance to the OxBright Worldview. The competition uses a proprietary system that combines technology and personal assessment to evaluate the submissions. Shortlisted entrants are offered a free place at an OxBright Conference and invited to the Awards Ceremony. The competition offers prestigious prizes, including a place on the Oxford Scholastica Academy's residential Oxford summer school and a place on an OxBright online course or internship. It is a great opportunity for students to develop their independent study and writing skills and receive feedback from top academics in their field.

In addition to the OxBright Essay Competition, the Oxbridge Launchpad also runs an essay competition for 15-17 year olds from state schools. The competition provides an opportunity for students to receive feedback from Oxbridge students to help them strengthen their university applications. The winning essays are published on the Oxbridge Launchpad website, and strong candidates have the opportunity to write other short.

Essay writing contests, including the ones hosted by OxBright, are a great way for students to develop academic skills such as researching, writing, and critical thinking. To succeed in these competitions, it is important to thoroughly read and understand the guidelines, make the essay compelling and well-researched, and start with a strong, clear thesis.

Overall, these essay competitions provide students with valuable opportunities to explore their interests, enhance their writing skills, and receive recognition for their academic achievements.

Posted by Joseph Jerry

You may like these posts, career programs.

• Fellowships (4)
• Internships (4)

Featured Post

Meet the World's Most Expensive Insect That Could Make You a Millionaire Overnight! 🤑🌍💰

Popular posts.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER NEEDED AT PROPOSE JOB SYSTEM (REMOTE) U.S.A, $45/hr

Position: graphic designer urgently needed company: dfy dave (youtuber) remote (available only for u.s., canada, and europe).

GRAPHIC DESIGNER at BlueCloud Technologies ( Remote )

UN SDSN Youth Nigeria SDGs Advocate Program (Cohort 5)

Positon: junior front-end developer company: dignexus consultancy location: hybrid (ontario, canada) job type: full-time.

A chest was buried under a tree root with exactly $10,000 inside of it. A man dug the ground and managed to bring out the chest to the sun. But when he checked inside the chest, what he saw inside was $100! How come?

Contact form, footer menu widget.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions

Contact form

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

How the Venice Film Festival Became an ‘Oscar Launchpad’

For the past decade, not a year has gone by without major awards-season contenders bowing at the festival.

By A.J. Goldmann

These days the race for the Oscars starts in Venice. Of the past 10 best picture winners, four have premiered on the lagoon, including, most recently, Chloé Zhao’s “ Nomadland ” in 2020. That film also took the festival’s main prize, the Golden Lion, making it the second film after Guillermo del Toro’s “ The Shape of Water ” (2017) to claim that double distinction.

This is a remarkable turnaround for a film festival, which opens on Wednesday and runs through Sept. 7, whose international standing was slipping in the early aughts. Much of the credit for this reversal of fortune goes to the festival’s leader, Alberto Barbera. When Barbera’s current term as artistic director began in 2012 , the festival was struggling to attract films by Hollywood studios.

“It was much easier to go to Toronto to spend less money and to make a proper promotion for the domestic market,” Barbera said, referring to the Toronto International Film Festival, which is held in early September. “But losing the presence of Hollywood studios was a big risk for Venice,” he continued, adding that he feared a disastrous chain effect if major American studios turned their backs on his festival.

Barbera convinced the Venice Biennale, which runs the festival, to renovate screening rooms and facilities that had not been updated in decades. He also flew to Los Angeles twice a year to meet with the heads of studios and independent film companies to court them.

In his second summer on the job, Barbera’s efforts bore fruit when the festival opened with Alfonso Cuarón’s “ Gravity ,” which starred George Clooney and Sandra Bullock.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

THE OXBRIDGE LAUNCHPAd

Exeter college.

Old – founded in 1314

Medium – 346 undergraduates

Central/3-minute walk to city centre

Accommodation

• Offered for three years • First years housed on-site • Second and third years housed in college owned accommodation (e.g. Cohen Quad)

• College bar • Gym on site • 24/7 library • Cafe

£76.7 million

Demographics

56.3% state school

Acceptance Rate

• At college: 12% • At Oxford: 15%

Personality

• Small • Old • Fun

Notable Alumni

• J.R.R. Tolkien • Phillip Pullman • Alan Bennett

Courses Available

Further information.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/colleges/college-listing/exeter-college