Six competitions to enter now

Every year, thousands of students across the country take part in youth competitions. Why? Well, much like any other extra curricular activity, they offer a chance to explore a particular interest and provide a platform to showcase talent. Just imagine how good your CV or application to higher education would look if it featured…

The Canterbury Tales Writing Competition

Think you can write like Geoffrey Chaucer? Now in its eight year, the theme of 2024/25’s Canterbury Tales Writing Competition is ‘Surprise, Surprise!’, so grab a pen and draft a poem or story that invokes the spirit of England’s greatest medieval poet in under 500 words.

For: 5-18-year-olds

Deadline: 25th February 2025

Prize: Up to £1,000

Rotary Young Chef Competition

Organised by Rotary International, the Young Chef Competition is on the hunt for the next Jamie Oliver. Each of the four stages of competition will see entrants learn how to cook healthy meals, develop food presentation skills, consider food hygiene issues and develop planning skills. Sign up at your local Rotary Club.

For: 12-16-year-olds

Deadline: Various

Prize: To be confirmed

Sony World Photography Awards

We’re ready for our close up… The Sony World Photography Awards: Youth Competition invites passionate young photographers to submit up to three of their favourite snaps captured in 2024. Whatever the genre, technique or subject matter, embrace your unique view of the world for the chance to win the Youth Photographer of the Year title.

For: Under 19-year-olds

Deadline: 3rd January 2025

Prize: Sony digital imaging equipment

The Big Bang Competition

Attention problem solvers! Your ideas could earn you up to £1,000, courtesy of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition. Better yet, you don’t have to be an expert to take part as The Big Bang challenge provides a free step-by-step guide through the stages of STEM project work. Entries open this autumn.

For: 11-19-year-olds

Deadline: To be announced

Prize: Up to £1,000

Northeastern University London Essay Writing Competition 

If you have strong opinions on technology, social science and humanities, check out Northeastern University London’s Essay Writing Competition. Whilst this year’s topics are yet to be announced, previous questions included ‘societal risks and rewards associated with generative AI’ and ‘how empires throughout history have shaped the societies we live in today’.

For: Year 12 students

Deadline: 6th January 2025

Prize: Up to £1,000

Into Film’s Film of the Month

Are you an aspiring director with a story to tell? Fiction or non-fiction, live action or animated, Into Film celebrates young creative talent with ‘Film of the Month’ awards. Winners will even see their masterpiece showcased on the Into Film YouTube Shorts Channel, which has over 16k subscribers! 

For: 5-19-year-olds

Deadline: Monthly

Prize: £100 gift voucher