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Humanities 2026

Online essay competitions for ambitious students.

We have announced three Humanities essay competitions for the coming weeks.

August 2026

Upcoming Humanities competitions

2026 competition

Classics Essay

1pm–3pm

Topic area

Ancient Greek Mythology: Heroism and Responsibility

A timed essay competition exploring ideas of heroism, responsibility and moral accountability through Ancient Greek mythology.

Solo£12
Duo£20
Question released
1pm
Submission deadline
3pm
Team size
One or two members
Maximum length
1,000 words
Research
Open before, not permitted during
Formal citations
Not required
Registration opening shortly

2026 competition

History Essay

1pm–3pm

Topic area

Revolution, Reform and the Use of Power

A timed history essay competition examining revolution, reform and how political power is gained, exercised and challenged.

Solo£12
Duo£20
Question released
1pm
Submission deadline
3pm
Team size
One or two members
Maximum length
1,000 words
Research
Open before, not permitted during
Formal citations
Not required
Registration opening shortly

2026 competition

Sociology Essay

1pm–3pm

Topic area

Freedom of Choice

A timed sociology essay competition exploring how far individual choices are genuinely free and how they are shaped by society.

Solo£12
Duo£20
Question released
1pm
Submission deadline
3pm
Team size
One or two members
Maximum length
1,000 words
Research
Open before, not permitted during
Formal citations
Not required
Registration opening shortly

More competitions will be announced soon.

Essay practice

Practise the compact format.

We recommend practising the 1,000-word format in timed conditions. For reference, three example essays completed by students and teachers in 2 hour periods are available below.

See exemplary essays

Psychology

Exemplary essay · PDF

Download

Competition principles

Knowledge, argument and clear thinking.

  • No research during the competition.
  • No AI tools may be used to plan or write the final essay.
  • No formal citations are required.
  • Entrants rely on their existing knowledge.
  • The final submission is a maximum of 1,000 words.
  • Teams may contain one or two members.