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Outreach

Oxford Essay Prize Competition

2026 Competition Open

We welcome talented high school students from diverse educational settings worldwide to contribute their unique perspectives on the most important issues facing the world today.

About the Competition

Your ideas deserve to be heard

The Oxford Essay Prize Competition invites high school students from around the world to submit original essays on a wide range of academic and social topics. We believe that the next generation of thinkers — wherever they study — has important ideas to contribute to the world’s most pressing conversations.

The best essays are featured on the OCAR website, shared with our network of faculty, and winners may be invited to the Oxford campus for a special awards event.

Competition Details
EligibilityHigh school students worldwide
Word LimitTo be announced
TopicsOpen / themed — TBA
Submission DeadlineTo be announced
Entry FeeFree
Prizes & Recognition

What winners receive

Publication on OCAR Website
Winning essays are featured prominently on the OCAR platform and shared with our academic network.
Invitation to Oxford
Top winners may be invited to the Oxford campus for an awards ceremony and academic event.
Additional prizes TBA
Prize details for the 2026 competition will be announced shortly. Sign up for updates.
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Sign up to receive competition guidelines, topic announcements, and deadline reminders.

Past Competition

Featured essays

As OCAR builds its essay competition history, winning and shortlisted essays will be featured here.

Past Essays
Winning essays and shortlisted submissions from past Oxford Essay Prize competitions will be displayed here once available.
Oxford Essay Prize Competition 2026 is Open
Open to high school students worldwide — free to enter.
Submit Your Essay