In-Person

Our programmes provide a unique insight into what it’s like to study a subject at university level. Each subject follows a specifically designed syllabus that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Architecture Architecture & Design Artificial Intelligence Banking & Finance Biology Biotechnology Business Management Chemistry Coding Computer Science Communication & Public Speaking
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Our options for ages 13 to 15 are designed to ignite students’ interest, and help them better understand which subjects to pursue at a higher level. Our programmes for 16 to 18 year olds provide a unique insight into what it’s like to study a subject at university level.

13-15 years old 16-18 years old

Our programmes provide a unique insight into what it’s like to study a subject at university level. Each subject follows a specifically designed syllabus that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Academic Insights
Academic Insights
Our flagship summer programme provides ambitious high-school students globally with an unrivalled experience studying undergraduate-level subjects at leading Oxbridge institutions
 Career Insights
Career Insights
Our immersive learning summer programme, empowers students with practical skills, industry exposure, and mentorship, fostering future-ready professionals.
 TED Summer School
TED Summer School
Our public speaking programme, co-created with TED, empowers ambitious high-school students to develop confidence, communication, and leadership skills.
Online

Our online programmes provide a virtual learning experience offering exceptional opportunities for academic enrichment to engaged students around the world.

Architecture Artificial Intelligence Biology Business Management Chemistry
Coding Computer Science Creative Writing Economics Encryption & Cybersecurity
Engineering English Literature History International Relations Law
Mathematics Medicine Philosophy Psychology Physics

Our programmes provide a unique insight into what it’s like to study a subject at university level. Each subject follows a specifically designed syllabus that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Online Research Programme
Online Research Programme
This online programme sees students work 1-1 with tutors from renowned institutions like Cambridge, Oxford, and Ivy League schools.
 TED Virtual Summer School
TED Virtual Summer School
A transformative two-week online experience for students aged 14–18, designed to help them uncover meaningful ideas and communicate them with clarity through TED’s student-focused curriculum and live virtual teaching

Our options for ages 13 to 15 are designed to ignite students’ interest, and help them better understand which subjects to pursue at a higher level. Our programmes for 16 to 18 year olds provide a unique insight into what it’s like to study a subject at university level.

13-18 years old
Locations

Our programmes run in a variety of historic and inspiring university locations that give students a true insight into living and studying like an undergraduate at world-leading institutions.

Cambridge Oxford London Sydney New York Toronto San Francisco Singapore Tokyo
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Immerse Competitions Hub · 2026–27

Our Competitions for High School Students

Every year, Immerse Education provides a global academic competition platform for ambitious learners and elevate their profiles. Our competitions for high school students offer you the opportunity to step beyond the school curriculum, explore the subjects you love at an undergraduate level, and pitch your ideas to world-class judges.

Whether your passion lies in crafting a definitive academic research paper, delivering a moving public speech, solving industry-specific case studies, or publishing insights on global trends, there is a pathway built for your voice. This is your chance to test your critical thinking, showcase your dedication, and compete for life-changing academic scholarships.

Each year, Immerse Education’s global academic competitions give ambitious high school students the chance to explore their chosen subjects beyond the classroom and present their ideas to world-class judges.

Whether through research, public speaking, case studies, or insightful writing, participants can showcase their critical thinking, strengthen their academic profiles, and compete for life-changing scholarships.

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Competitions a year
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Scholarships to win
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Free to enter
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Open worldwide
13 -18

Why Should I Enter The Competition?

  • Win prestigious scholarships

Outstanding entries across our competition categories are awarded fully-funded or partial scholarships to our premium residential programmes in global academic hubs and our online research streams.

  • Build application evidence

Every competition requires a tangible output – an essay, a recorded talk, a project pitch, or a structured article. Entering gives you a credible piece of work you can explicitly reference in university personal statements, references, and interviews.

  • Master 21st-Century Competencies

Moving through our entry frameworks explicitly sharpens future-proof skills like critical thinking, communication, creativity, and conscientiousness – giving you a measurable head start before university.

  • Support from Oxbridge experts

As soon as you register interest in a competition, we’ll share resources crafted by subject matter experts to help you put your best foot forward. On top of that, you’ll receive invites to masterclasses with our world-leading tutors to further support your entry.

  • Gain expert validation

Whether entering our essay competition, public speaking competition or innovation contest, your ideas will be judged against rigorous criteria reviewed by accomplished academics and industry practitioners who know exactly what elite universities look for.

  • Ready to make your mark?

Registration is free and takes under five minutes.

Register interest

Why enter?

Win Prestigious Scholarships

  • Outstanding entries across our competition categories are awarded fully-funded or partial scholarships to our premium residential programmes in global academic hubs and our online research streams.

Build Application Evidence

Every competition requires a tangible output – an essay, a recorded talk, a project pitch, or a structured article. Entering gives you a credible piece of work you can explicitly reference in university personal statements, references, and interviews.

Master 21st-Century Competencies

Moving through our entry frameworks explicitly sharpens future-proof skills like critical thinking, communication, creativity, and conscientiousness – giving you a measurable head start before university.

Enjoy exclusive support from Oxbridge experts

As soon as you register interest in a competition, we’ll share resources crafted by subject matter experts to help you put your best foot forward. On top of that, you’ll receive invites to masterclasses with our world-leading tutors to further support your entry.

Gain Expert Validation

Whether entering our essay competition, public speaking competition or innovation contest, your ideas will be judged against rigorous criteria reviewed by accomplished academics and industry practitioners who know exactly what elite universities look for.

Who can enter

Open to curious learners aged 13–18, worldwide

Our academic competitions for high school students are open to motivated, curious learners aged 13–18 from all over the world. Where relevant, the prompts for our competitions are split by age to ensure the perfect level of challenge.

No prior specific qualifications are required – we value promise, original insights, and a genuine motivation to grow.

Ages 13–15

Discover & explore

Discover foundational academic themes, practise structured argument, and express your subject curiosity.

Ages 16–18

Research & reason

Build university-level research depth, deploy advanced evidence-based reasoning, and tackle complex global or professional issues.

Who can enter?

Our academic competitions for high school students are open to motivated, curious learners aged 13–18 from all over the world. Where relevant, the prompts for our competitions are split by age to ensure the perfect level of challenge.

  • Ages 13–15: Discover foundational academic themes, practice structured argument, and express your subject curiosity.
  • Ages 16–18: Build university-level research depth, deploy advanced evidence-based reasoning, and tackle complex global or professional issues.

No prior specific qualifications are required – we value promise, original insights, and a genuine motivation to grow.

What can I win?

Every participant
  • Certificate of participation

All participants who complete and submit a valid entry receive a certificate of participation, providing authoritative evidence of academic enrichment to share with your school teachers and college counselors.

Runners-up
  • Partial tuition awards

High-scoring finalists receive partial tuition scholarships (up to 75%) to secure their place on an Immerse Education programme.

Grand prize · Winners
  • 100% scholarships

Top entrants win fully-funded places on our flagship residential summer schools — Cambridge, London, New York, San Francisco, Singapore — or the Online Research Programme.

See What’s Possible

Watch our past competition winners share their journeys, scholarship experiences, and advice for future applicants directly on our YouTube channel.

Competition calendar

Our competitive tracks run throughout the academic year, aligned with specific pathways and learning formats:

The Immerse Essay Competition

  • Launch: August 3, 2026
  • Deadline: October 25, 2026

Write an undergraduate-style essay on a prompt from your favourite subject, inspired by Oxford and Cambridge syllabi.

Scholarship prize

Academic Insights programme

Go to Competition

The TED Summer School Competition

  • Launch: November 2, 2026
  • Deadline: January 16, 2027

Built with the TED-Ed team: submit a short talk or script on an idea worth spreading. For storytellers and future leaders.

Scholarship prize

TED Summer School place

Go to Competition

The Future Innovators Scholarship

  • Launch: 1 February 2027
  • Deadline: 28 March 2027

Identify a market gap and pitch an innovative solution by video or in writing. Our platform for STEM and innovation contests.

Scholarship prize

Career Insights programme

Go to Competition

The Immerse Blog Competition

  • Launch: April 5, 2027
  • Deadline: May 30, 2027

Our most flexible track. Submit a structured article or short review to win a funded place on the Online Research Programme.

Scholarship prize

Online Research Programme

Go to Competition

Competition calendar

Our competitive tracks run throughout the academic year, aligned with specific pathways and learning formats:

1

The Immerse Essay Competition

  • Launch: August 3, 2026
  • Deadline: October 25, 2026

Our premier academic writing competition for high school students, running since …. Choose a prompt within your favorite subject – spanning STEM, arts, humanities, and social sciences – and write an authoritative essay reflecting undergraduate-style inquiry, directly inspired by Oxford and Cambridge syllabi. Exceptional entries win scholarships to our Academic Insights programmes on leading university campuses worldwide – including programmes hosted at Oxbridge colleges. (Internal Note: Cross-link target child pages for ‘essay competitions for high school students’ and ‘writing competitions for high school students’ here).

Go to Competition

The TED Summer School Competition

  • Launch: November 2, 2026
  • Deadline: January 16, 2027

Designed for powerful storytellers and future leaders looking for a debate competition with a difference. Built around a curriculum designed by the TED-Ed team, this public speaking competition invites you to discover “ideas worth spreading.” Submit a short video or presentation script focusing on public speaking, narrative structure, and global themes for a chance to win a place at the Immerse × TED Summer School in London, New York, or Singapore.

Go to Competition

The Immerse Future Innovators Scholarship Competition

  • Launch: 1 February 2027
  • Deadline: 28 March 2027

A premier global platform for students to think big, solve real-world problems, and bring creative ideas to life. Perfect for those searching for prestigious STEM competitions for high school students or innovation contests, this track allows individuals to identify a market gap, outline why it matters, and propose an innovative solution. Winners can secure full or partial tuition scholarships to a Career Insights course – securing unparalleled professional exposure and network opportunities in banking, finance, law, medicine, and many other industries.

Go to Competition

The Immerse Blog Competition

  • Launch: April 5, 2027
  • Deadline: May 30, 2027

Our most flexible, accessible track. Submit a structured article, blog post, or short literature review on a contemporary issue to enter. If you are looking for an academic research competition, this is your chance to secure a fully funded place on our Online Research Programme (ORP). Winners undertake 1:1, university-style research from home under the guidance of an expert tutor, gaining 10+ hours of elite mentor support just by writing a short blog post.

Go to Competition
See what's possible

Hear from past winners in their own words

Watch scholarship winners share their journeys, experiences and advice for future applicants.

The Admissions & Entry Sequence

Participating in an Immerse competition follows a structured path designed to prepare you for high-level academic performance:

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Apply & Register

Select your competition track and complete the free registration form to access your prompt pack and submission brief. Top tip: explore our four pathways first, and select the competition that aligns with the programme you’d most like to win a scholarship for! Here’s a quick guide

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Choose Your Question or Prompt

Identify your focus area or winning idea – one you’re enthusiastic about, as you’ll be exploring it in depth. For the Future Innovators competition, you’ll also have to decide between a video or written entry. If you need help picking, keep your eyes peeled for our webinars and emails – they’ll contain a lot of advice to help you get started.

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Draft & Refine

Develop your response using our clear structural entry guidelines, focusing on original insight and rigorous argument.

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Submit Your Entry

Upload your final paper, article, or recorded talk to the secure Immerse submission portal before the round deadline.

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Evaluation & Certification

Your entry undergoes anonymized review by our academic panel. All valid entrants receive official certificate recognition, and scholarship awards are issued to top-performing profiles.

Apply now
Explore programmes
Read our Full Terms & Conditions
Apply now
Explore programmes
Read our Full Terms & Conditions

FAQs

Are these competitions open to international students?

Yes. All Immerse Education competitions are entirely global. We welcome high school students from any country, provided you have a level of English fluency sufficient to research, write, or present your ideas clearly.

Entering our competitions is completely free. There are no registration or submission fees at any stage of the competitive rounds.

Yes. You are welcome to submit entries to different competition rounds within the same year (e.g., submitting an academic essay in October and a public speaking entry for the TED competition in November), provided you meet the age eligibility requirements at the time of submission.

Important Note: Your most recent competition result will overwrite any previous results. If you have already won a scholarship, you must utilise it before entering another competition round, or your new result will replace it.

All entries are evaluated through a rigorous, anonymized grading process. Submissions are assessed against predefined criteria including structure, clarity of argument, original thinking, effective deployment of evidence or narrative data, and academic or professional relevance.