15 National Competitions for High School Students in The UK
- Stephen Turban
- Nov 13
- 11 min read
As a high school student, competitions can be accessible ways to deepen your academic interests, gain practical skills, and demonstrate initiative. Whether you are looking to boost your CV, prepare for future research opportunities, or add depth to your personal statement, participating in national contests can help you explore your interests in a structured way and receive recognition for your efforts.
You can choose from a variety of opportunities based on your preferences, from essay-based challenges to STEM projects. These competitions also allow you to learn about and address problems, work independently or in teams, and build confidence through public speaking, writing, or technical design.
To help you shortlist the right options, here is a list of 15 national competitions for high school students in the UK.
If you are looking for other competitions, you can check our blog here.
15 National Competitions for High School Students in The UK
Location: Online
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter; winners receive up to $1,000 (£760) in cash + $3,190 (£2,425) scholarship to Lumiere Research Program
Dates: Submissions Open: July 21; Submission Deadline: November 2; Shortlist Announcement: January 5; Results Announcement: January 18
Application deadline: November 2
Eligibility: High school students worldwide
The Lumiere Scholars Essay Award challenges you to write a formal, research-backed essay in one of three fields: Humanities, Social Sciences, or STEM. You can choose from six academic prompts and submit a piece that showcases original thinking, rigorous analysis, and strong evidence. Your essay will be judged through a double-blind review by professors from Oxford, Cambridge, Dartmouth, and other top institutions. If you win, you will receive cash prizes and scholarships to Lumiere’s research programs. The competition chooses six winners across three categories (humanities, STEM, and social Sciences) and often recognizes additional Rising Scholars.
Location: Online
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter; winners receive full or partial scholarships (50–100%) to Immerse programmes (eligible for use toward programmes in Cambridge, Oxford, London, New York, Toronto, Sydney, and more)
Dates: Entries open between early November and mid-January; results: Early February; Immerse programme dates: Summer (July – August)
Application deadline: Mid-January (specific date varies each cycle)
Eligibility: Students, ages 13–18, who will still be 18 or younger at the time of the relevant Immerse programme
The Immerse Education Essay Competition gives you the chance to submit a 500-word academic essay in one of over 20 subject areas, from law to medicine to creative Writing. You can pick a set prompt or write in response to an open question, which will then be blind-reviewed by experienced academics. If you win, you can earn full or partial scholarships to summer or online programmes, along with additional academic opportunities like exclusive webinars and publication consideration. All participants receive a digital credential, and top-tier winners are invited to curated academic sessions with Oxbridge-trained mentors and industry professionals. The competition evaluates essays based on research, analysis, clarity, and academic style.
Location: United Kingdom (national), with international finals in Stockholm
Cost/Prize: Free to enter; winner receives £500 + fully funded trip to Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition in Sweden; ultimate winners win a cash award of US $15,000 (£11406)
Dates: Submissions Window: February – Mid-May; Jury Interviews: Late May; Winner Announced: Early June (at Flood & Coast); International Round: Late August (Stockholm)
Application deadline: Typically, mid-May
Eligibility: UK-based students, ages 15 – 20, who are in secondary education when conducting their research; max two applicants per project
Hosted by CIWEM, the UK Junior Water Prize is an opportunity to develop a STEM-based solution to a pressing global water issue. You will submit a practical, research-backed project, consisting of a clear hypothesis, methodology, and analysis. You will present your findings to a jury of environmental professionals, and stand a chance to win £500, a certificate, and the opportunity to represent the UK at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize in Sweden. That international round includes a fully funded trip to Sweden during World Water Week, with further awards available.
Location: British Isles—Round 1 held in schools; Round 2 in-person; international final conducted abroad
Cost: Free for UK schools; international schools may have a fee
Dates: Registration: Mid-September to Mid-January; Round 1 Written Test: Late January; Round 2: April; Training Camp: May – July; International Final: Mid-July
Application deadline: Mid-January (exact date varies each cycle)
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 – 19, residing in the British Isles; applicants are typically in their final year before higher education.
The UK Chemistry Olympiad is a multi-stage national competition designed to challenge and stretch your understanding of chemistry beyond the standard curriculum. It begins with a two-hour written test featuring applied chemistry problems. The competition offers open enrollment for Round 1 and invites 25 – 30 top scorers to Round 2. If you are a high scorer, you will progress to an intensive training weekend with practical and theoretical challenges, and if you are one of the top four students, you will go on to represent the UK at the International Chemistry Olympiad. This competition is run by the Royal Society of Chemistry and is considered a strong indicator of subject depth for university applications. It's open to all schools in the UK, and to British international schools following a UK curriculum.
Location: Regional and digital heats across the UK; national final at Imperial College London; international final at NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Cost: Free to enter; travel and accommodation for the international round are typically funded by the SSEF.
Dates: Regional and Digital Heats: Autumn term; National Finals: Early March; International Final (ISSDC): Late July – early August
Application deadline: Rolling registration until heats are filled (usually closes in autumn)
Eligibility: Students in Years 10 – 13 in the UK participating in teams of 4 – 12; each team must have a responsible adult supervisor
The UKSDC simulates an industry-style challenge where you work in a large team to design a space settlement in response to a detailed Request for Proposal. You will take on a defined role—such as operations engineer, human factors expert, or business lead—and contribute to a company presentation judged by professionals from academia and industry. Winning teams from regional and digital heats advance to the national final at Imperial College London. Hundreds compete nationally, and 250 make it to the UK final. From there, 12 students represent the UK at the International Space Settlement Design Competition held at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The competition blends STEM and business, and offers a collaborative environment to develop leadership, teamwork, and technical skills.
Location: Regional events across the UK; national final in Buckminster; international final at Farnborough International Airshow
Cost: Free to enter; teams cover their own build costs (~£200 – £500); international travel and accommodation are funded for UK winners.
Dates: Regional Rounds: March – April; National Final: Late June; International Final: Late July
Application deadline: 31 December (annually)
Eligibility: UK-based students, ages 11 – 18, from schools, colleges, or youth groups
UKROC challenges you to design, build, and launch a model rocket that must safely carry a fragile payload to a target altitude and duration. Winning teams not only earn awards and industry exposure but also get to travel to the Farnborough Airshow to represent the UK. The competition unfolds in three stages: regionals, a national final (made up of the top 20 teams), and an international showdown (made up of one team representing the UK) against teams from the USA, France, and Japan. It’s a hands-on opportunity to apply STEM skills in real-world conditions while collaborating in a team setting. The competition is also an opportunity to explore aerospace, physics, and engineering.
Location: UK-wide; finalists showcase at The Big Bang Fair (typically held in Birmingham)
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter; winners receive cash prizes and trophies.
Dates: Finalist Announcement: Late April; Video Call Judging: Late April to early May; Project Showcase and Awards Ceremony: June at The Big Bang Fair
Application Deadline: 4 March (annually)
Eligibility: UK students, ages 11 – 18, in state-funded schools, home education setups, or community groups
The Big Bang Competition invites you to submit a STEM project that solves a real-world problem or explores an area of scientific interest. Projects can be entered individually or in teams. If selected as a finalist, you will present your work at The Big Bang Fair. Prizes are awarded across age categories in Science, Engineering, and Technology, with each category winner receiving £500 and a trophy. Top entrants may also be named UK Young Scientist, Engineer, or Technologist of the Year, receiving an additional £1,000 prize. The competition, a key platform for young innovators in the UK, emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and communication.
Location: Online submission; winners may complete internships in London, Leeds, or remotely
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter; winners receive a paid internship.
Dates: Winners Announced: April; Internship: Four weeks during the summer
Application deadline: 31 March (annually)
Eligibility: UK-based students, ages 16 and up; open to school, college, and university students
This annual innovation challenge invites you to submit a five-minute video addressing a topical question related to data and technology in financial regulation. Winning entries are awarded a four-week paid internship with the Bank of England’s Data and Innovation Team, with placements available in London, Leeds, or virtually. You will gain hands-on experience in the financial sector and engage with experts working at the intersection of tech and economics. The competition encourages applications from students who are underrepresented in STEM and aims to diversify pathways into finance and regulation. Submissions are judged on creativity, feasibility, and clarity of ideas.
Location: Online (run globally by British Council Partner Schools)
Cost: Free to enter
Dates: During the school year; dates vary
Application deadline: Rolling, with the exact dates offered with entry packs issued to British Council Partner Schools
Eligibility: Students, ages 11 – 18, enrolled in British Council Partner Schools worldwide; teams of 3 – 5 students can apply.
This global video-making competition invites students to create a three-minute film addressing a community-based challenge under an annual theme aligned with a UN Sustainable Development Goal. The latest theme, Smarter Choices, Stronger Futures, focuses on zero-waste initiatives and sustainability. You will develop and showcase your creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility while gaining experience in communication and teamwork. If you are one of the regional winners, you will compete for a chance to be named the global champion and have your project showcased internationally.
Location: Online; supervised in schools/home education settings (UK-based only)
Cost: Free to enter
Dates: Held annually in spring (exact dates vary; announced on the UK Bebras calendar); Duration: 45 minutes
Application deadline: Not specified; you must register through UK Bebras during the previous autumn
Eligibility: UK students, ages 10 – 19, who participated in the UK Bebras Challenge (in November)
Hosted by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, this challenge invites Bebras participants to tackle block- or text-based programming problems under timed conditions. Within one of five difficulty groups (from beginner to advanced), you will work on programming challenges using logical thinking, problem-solving, and programming skills. You will compete in a supervised environment through your school or at home (if home educated). This competition can help you gain experience and a deeper appreciation for computational thinking and coding in practice.
Location: First round at school; final round held at Trinity College, Cambridge
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter; finalists may win an expenses-paid trip to the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI)
Dates: First Round: Early December to mid-January; Final Round: Easter holidays (usually in April)
Application deadline: Not specified; Registration opens in November
Eligibility: UK-based students under 19 enrolled in full-time pre-university education (limited to mainland Britain students)
The BIO is a national programming competition where you will solve computational problems using a programming language of your choice in a three-hour exam. It’s designed to challenge your coding and algorithmic thinking skills. Here, top scorers (15 students) will be invited to compete in a final round held in Cambridge. From there, four students are chosen to represent Britain at the International Olympiad in Informatics. Participation can help you build your problem-solving portfolio and open doors to international opportunities. The competition is open to all skill levels, with resources from previous years available for practice.
Location: UK-wide; in-person finals location TBA
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter; first 100 schools receive a free Raspberry Pi starter kit
Dates: Registration opens annually in autumn; Final showcase: Late spring or summer
Application deadline: Rolling basis; early registration recommended for starter kit eligibility
Eligibility: UK school teams in the following age categories: Years 4 – 6, 7 – 9, 10 – 11, and 12 – 13 (or Scottish equivalents: P4 – P7, S1 – S2, S3 – S4, S5 – S6)
The PA Raspberry Pi Competition is a UK-wide challenge that encourages school students to create innovative tech solutions using Raspberry Pi microcomputers. Open to teams across four age categories, the competition focuses on real-world impact, with themes such as “Building a Positive Human Future.” You will work on developing inclusive, accessible projects addressing societal challenges in areas like healthcare, sustainability, and safety. You can compete to be one of the top teams that will present their work to professionals from leading tech and innovation companies, gaining valuable feedback and exposure. The competition also offers starter kits and mentoring support to help you bring your ideas to life.
Location: Regional heats across the UK; finals hosted by the Historical Association
Cost: Free to enter
Dates: Regional heats: Held throughout the academic year; Final: Spring
Application deadline: Varies by region; registration typically opens in autumn
Eligibility: UK students in Years 10 – 13
Organised by the Historical Association, The Great Debate is a national public speaking competition where you present a five-minute speech answering a set historical question. Participation is limited to 1–2 students per school. The current prompt explores the importance of personal and public records in understanding local history. After local heats, if you are successful, you will move on to the semi-finals and national final, where you will compete for cash prizes and recognition. The competition can help you build research and communication skills while engaging deeply with local historical narratives. You will also gain exposure to history, civic discourse, and public speaking.
14. Stem Racing UK
Location: Regional and national competitions across the UK
Cost/Stipend: Free to register; £30 car kit purchase required
Dates: Regional finals: Begin in November; National finals: March
Application deadline: Registration opens mid-year for the following academic season
Eligibility: UK students, ages 9 – 19, working in teams of 3 – 6
STEM Racing UK is a national competition that challenges students to design, build, and race miniature Formula 1 cars using CAD software and real engineering principles. Teams simulate running an F1 team by managing branding, sponsorship, manufacturing, and project delivery. The program blends STEM education with marketing and leadership skills, preparing students for a variety of career paths. Regional winners advance to national and possibly international finals, supported by Formula 1 and industry professionals. It’s a hands-on, collaborative, and high-impact way to learn real-world skills.
Location: Virtual; winners invited to Oxford for an in-person event
Cost/Prizes: Free to enter; prizes include £100 (1st), £50 (2nd), and £35 subject awards
Dates: Entry deadline: 12 May; Oxford visit for winners: 30 June
Application deadline: 12 May
Eligibility: UK students in Years 11 – 13 attending a state school
Hosted by St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford, the Big Think Competition is an opportunity to engage with a challenging academic question and submit a video presentation of up to five minutes. Topics span a range of disciplines from medicine to politics, allowing you to explore subjects beyond your curriculum. Judging focuses on the quality of your argument and your engagement with the question, rather than on technical production. If you win, you will visit Oxford to meet tutors, tour the college, and discuss their entries in person. This competition is an accessible way to experience academic thinking and explore problem-solving.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
Image Source - Royal Society of Chemistry logo