Six competitions to enter now

Every year, thousands of students across the country take part in youth competitions because, much like any other extra curricular activity, they offer a chance to explore a particular interest and provide a platform to showcase talent. Feeling up to the challenge? 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 seventh year, the theme of 2023/24’s Canterbury Tales Writing Competition is ‘Being Part of a Group’, 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: 29th February 2024

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 respond to the brief, ‘Through Your Eyes’. 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: 5th January 2024

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.

For: 11-19-year-olds

Deadline: 27th March 2024

Prize: Up to £1,000

Northeastern University London Essay Writing Competition 

If you have strong opinions on the ‘societal risks and rewards associated with generative AI’ or ‘how empires throughout history have shaped the societies we live in today’ and other topical technology, social science and humanities issues, check out Northeastern University London’s Essay Writing Competition.

For: Year 12 students

Deadline: 31st December 2023

Prize: Up to £1,000