Oxford Royale Essay Competition

Oxford Royale is a leading provider of academic summer schools for students aged 12 to 18. Participants can choose to study from one of 14 subjects across a range of disciplines – from Law and Medicine, to Engineering and Film – on campus at leading universities in the UK and US.

Each year, we host an academic essay competition for ambitious students across the world, aged from 12 to 18. Students can select from a range of pre-defined essay topics, which aim to engage you in the most relevant conversations of today’s world.

Your Prize?

The winners will receive a fully-funded scholarship for one of Oxford Royale’s summer programmes. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a cohort of ambitious future leaders, on campus at one of the world’s leading universities for a summer for learning, cultural immersion and exclusive events.

Ts&Cs Apply

Essay Questions - 600 Words

Q1. Does artificial intelligence represent the next great human invention, or the next great threat?

Q2. Should access to the internet be considered a basic human right, and how might this reshape education and opportunity worldwide?

Q3. In a rapidly changing world, is it more important to preserve tradition or to embrace innovation?

Benefits of Entering

Regardless of whether a student wins, there are many academic benefits of participating.

• Build knowledge: explore a wide range of challenging and future-facing questions beyond what’s covered on the school curriculum
• Develop academic writing and argumentation skills: from clear reasoning and critical analysis to the art of persuasion
• Enhance research skills: practise your independent research skills, a key requirement for undergraduate study
• Academic recognition: have your work assessed by academic experts and receive feedback

Rules

• Essays must be submitted digitally, as either a PDF or Word Document. Handwritten essays will not be accepted.
• Essays must not exceed the 600 word limit.
• Essays must be written in English. Your English proficiency level will not be tested, and you can inform us in the submission form if English is not your first language.
• Our panel of judges may disqualify any essays that use inappropriate or discriminatory language or ideas.

For any questions, or help promoting this to your students, please conatct our liaison at:

Mobile/WhatsApp: +852 9857 3427

Email: ldickson@oxford-royale.co.uk

• The prize for this competition is a fully funded scholarship for an Oxford Royale Summer Programme. Due to limited availability, students must choose dates from 19 July–1 August, 2–15 August in Oxford or Cambridge, or 12–25 July in all other locations.
• The prizes are valid for summer 2026 only and cannot be rolled over to a subsequent year.
• The judges’ decision is final, at their sole discretion, and not subject to appeal. No correspondence will be entered into. The prizes are not transferable and no part or parts of any prize may be substituted for other benefits, items or additions.
• Winners, when taking up their prize, will be required to register for a programme using Oxford Royale’s standard registration procedure. The cost of the course will be reduced to zero.
• If a winner is already enrolled on our programme, they can study for a further two weeks on another programme. No refunds are available.
• Winners will be bound by the standard terms and conditions of our programmes.
• The winning essays may be published on Oxford Royale’s website and used for promotional purposes in all formats, both electronic and printed.
• Oxford Royale reserves the right at any time to cancel, modify or supersede the competition (including altering the prize) if, in their sole discretion, the Competition is not capable of being conducted as specified. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, we may alter, amend or foreclose the Competition without prior notice. We reserve the right to change these terms at any time.
• The prize covers the cost of the programme fees only. The student is responsible for all other fees related to their attendance on the programme, including travel to the country where the course is taking place, transfers to and from the airport, insurance costs, any food and drink not covered by the course fee or provided as standard by Oxford Royale, taxes, personal expenses, and all other costs.