THE
OXBRIDGE LAUNCHPAd
Essay competition
The Oxbridge Launchpad’s annual essay competition is a unique opportunity that not only provides a writing opportunity for potential applicants but also guarantees feedback from current Oxbridge students. This makes it a perfect contribution to a strong university application, whether that be to Oxbridge or somewhere else.
Our essay competition has now closed for 2024. We would like to give a massive congratulations to all those who took part! Results from this year's competition alongside the winning essays can be found below.
If you are considering taking part in 2025 please have a look at the information below and consider registering your interest!
How does it work?
-
● We provide a list of questions for a variety of different subjects although you are free to choose your own question as long as you run it past us first!
● Suggested questions for next year's competition to be published online nearer the time. If you’d like to get an idea of what they may look like please check out our list of questions from this year below.
● Entries are open to UK state school students only, and we can only accept one entry per person.
● Structure and style are up to you with no obligation to reference, although we ask essays to be kept to a maximum length of 1750 words.
● Exact dates for next year’s competition are yet to be finalised. However, expect questions to be published in early 2025 with a submission deadline sometime in March or April!
● If you'd like to register your interest and receive updates for our 2025 essay competition please fill out the form here.
● Finally, please do get in touch with us at pr.oxbridgelaunchpad@gmail.com if you have any other questions!
What's in it for me?
-
● The opportunity to research your subject in depth and practise your essay-writing.
● Material to talk about on your personal statement or in your interview.
● Written feedback on your essay from our team of current Oxbridge students!
● Winning essay(s) will be published on our website, along with the names of the authors of shortlisted essays.
● Strong candidates will have the opportunity to write other short essays to be published on our Oxbridge Intelligence blog, after an editing process with our team of Oxbridge students.
● A free place on our summer programme for winning essay(s)!
COMPETITION QUESTIONS 2024
Anthropology - What do you think is the biggest challenge faced by modern anthropologists and why?
Biology - What do you think the biggest breakthrough in biology will be in the 21st century and why? Has it already happened?
Chemistry - ‘The field of chemistry will be essential in solving the world's energy crisis.’ Discuss.
Classics - ‘No other ancient culture has left a more notable impression on the culture of today than the ancient Greeks.’ Discuss.
Computer Science - Will digital intelligence ever replace biological intelligence?
Economics - ‘Billionaires should be banned.’ Discuss.
Engineering - ‘Engineers will be the ones to solve the climate crisis.’ Discuss
Literature - Should we study texts that offend?
Geography - ‘The study of geography is the key to solving the climate crisis.’ Discuss.
History - Can history be objective?
Law - Are there too many or too few laws in the UK today?
Linguistics/Philology - ‘There is no such thing as ‘universal grammar’. Discuss.
Management and Business - Pick an organisation you are interested in. What is the current culture and structure like, and how might this have to adapt to the current business environment?
Mathematics - ‘The opportunity to find absolute truths through mathematical proof makes mathematics a subject like none other.’ Discuss.
Medicine - What area of medicine do you believe is the most under researched? Why is this the case?
Philosophy - Does it really matter whether we have a free will or not?
Physics - ‘Developments in the field of quantum mechanics has the potential to fundamentally change the world in the near future.’ Discuss.
Politics - ‘Corruption will always be an issue in politics, there is nothing voters can do to prevent it.’ Discuss.
Psychology - ‘Emotion cannot be quantified.’ Discuss.
Theology and Religion - ‘It is arrogant to call oneself an atheist.’ Discuss.
Any further questions, contact pr.oxbridgelaunchpad@gmail.com