oxbridge essay

THE OXBRIDGE LAUNCHPAd

Essay competition.

The Oxbridge Launchpad is excited to announce that our annual essay competition is now up and running for 2024! We want to provide a writing opportunity with guaranteed feedback from Oxbridge students to help you on your way to making a strong university application, whether that be to Oxbridge or somewhere else. If you are 15-17 years old and attend a UK state school we would love for you to sign up!

How does it work?

What's in it for me.

We have provided a list of questions (see below) for a variety of different subjects. If you don't see one that inspires you, we encourage you to write your own to explore something outside of the usual curriculum - just email [email protected] to let us know first and we can approve it.  

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, no need to reference.  

Suggested word count is ~1500 words, up to a maximum of 1750 words.  

Please submit your essay as a pdf called 'FirstName_Surname_Subject' by emailing it to [email protected] by 6 pm 1st April.  We will review submissions in April and announce winner(s) in May.  

If you'd like to register your interest and receive reminders, please fill out the form here    

Please get in touch using the email listed above if you have any other questions and we will be happy to answer them. Happy writing! 

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  

The 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 in 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.

If you are looking for some inspiration please have a look at some of our 2023 winning essays!

Deadline is 6 pm on April 1st, 2024 , so get writing!

Any further questions, contact [email protected]

• Best of 2022
• How to Spot a Trustworthy Website
• Dating Apps
• Shopping Discount Fashion
• Discount Clothing
• Discount Designer Clothing
• Affordable Wedding Dresses
• Affordable Activewear for Women
• Plus-Size Swimwear
• COVID-19 Resources
• Beauty Home
• Consumer Advocates
• Consumer Tips
• Write a Review
• For Business
• Request a Review
• Discussions
• Backed by the National Science Foundation
• Essay Writing
• OxbridgeEssays

Unsolicited

Unsolicited - verified purchase.

OxbridgeEssays has a rating of 4.25 stars from 24 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. OxbridgeEssays ranks 511th among Essay Writing sites.

• Shipping 18

“Essay writing”

I used the writing services from this company for my master's studies and I must say that I am very pleased with the results. The team was very helpful and knowledgeable about the topic and provided me with the necessary guidance to ensure that my essay was of the highest quality. They also delivered my project on time, which was a great help. I would highly recommend this company to anyone looking for help with their studies at the university level.

“Not good service”

The final draft of my PhD thesis was still full of spelling mistakes, they have missed up with my original data and I have to redo and adjust most of them again. Costumer service was unreliable.

Reviews (24)

• Follow Imran A.

The company doing well by helping each student include me when we fall low in any area of my study they will help me get back on track. Thanks for being there for me great college.

From the business

Oxbridge Essays are the largest and most trusted provider of 1st class and 2:1 essays and dissertations in the UK. Get in touch for great academic support.

• Visit Website
• Essay Writing , Homework
• London, LND
• Edit business info

Company Representative

• anjaliraghbeer
• Aug 12, 2023

Exploring the World of Oxbridge Essay Competitions: List of 10 Competitions and Subject Categories

Oxford and Cambridge, two prestigious universities located in the United Kingdom, are renowned for their rigorous academic standards and intellectual excellence. Among the many opportunities they offer, Oxbridge essay competitions stand out as a unique platform for students to showcase their critical thinking, research abilities, and passion for their chosen subjects. In this blog, we will delve into the world of Oxbridge essay competitions, providing you with 10 examples across various subject categories.

Humanities:

a) English Literature: The Oxford English Essay Prize invites students to explore literary themes, analyze texts, and develop well-structured arguments.

b) History: Cambridge's Historical Essay Competition covers a wide range of historical periods and encourages students to engage with primary and secondary sources.

Social Sciences:

a) Economics: The Marshall Society Essay Competition, organized by Cambridge, focuses on contemporary economic issues, requiring students to apply economic theories to real-world problems.

b) Politics and International Relations: The Oxford Political Review's Essay Competition offers students the chance to discuss political theories, analyze global events, and propose policy solutions.

a) Biological Sciences: The Oxford Biology Essay Competition explores topics such as genetics, ecology, and biotechnology, promoting critical thinking and scientific communication skills.

b) Physics: Cambridge's Woolf Essay Prize challenges students to delve into complex physics concepts, encouraging original thinking and clear explanations.

Mathematics and Computer Science:

a) Mathematics: The Oxford Mathematical Institute runs an essay competition that encourages students to explore mathematical concepts, solve problems, and present their findings concisely.

b) Computer Science: Cambridge's Computer Science Essay Prize asks students to tackle cutting-edge technological issues, discuss the social implications of computer science, and propose innovative solutions.

Philosophy and Theology:

a) Philosophy: The Oxford Philsoc Philosophy Essay Prize invites students to engage with philosophical ideas, argue for or against philosophical positions, and develop logical reasoning skills.

b) Theology: Cambridge's Theology and Religious Studies Essay Prize encourages students to explore religious texts, engage with theological debates, and critically analyze different religious traditions.

Creative Writing:

a) Poetry: The Oxford University Poetry Society's (OUPS) Poetry Competition invites aspiring poets to submit their original works, allowing them to express their creativity and showcase their poetic talent.

b) Short Story: Cambridge's The Thomas Campion English Prize for Creative Writing challenges students to craft compelling short stories, demonstrating their storytelling skills and imaginative prowess.

Conclusion:

Oxbridge essay competitions provide an exceptional opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of various subjects, refine their research and analytical skills, and engage with academia at a higher level. The examples mentioned above represent just a fraction of the wide range of competitions available across numerous disciplines. By participating in these competitions, students not only enhance their academic profiles but also gain valuable experience that prepares them for future studies and careers. So, if you have a passion for a particular subject, don't hesitate to explore the world of Oxbridge essay competitions and embark on an intellectual journey like no other.

Recent Posts

India Driving Global Student Mobility: A New Era in International Education

Unlocking Opportunities: The Importance of Summer Schools for Profile Building

The Rise of Online Learning in USA Colleges: Impact on International Education

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

The Boat Races 2024: Cambridge do the double over Oxford, again – as it happened

• Cambridge dominate both races to claim victory
• Light blues win double for second year in a row
• Pulling together: Tom Jenkins’ Boat Race photo essay
• 1d ago Oxford men's boat reaction
• 1d ago Cambridge men's boat reaction
• 1d ago Cambridge win the men's Boat Race!
• 1d ago Men’s race crews
• 1d ago We're underway in the men's Boat Race!
• 1d ago Oxford women's boat reaction
• 1d ago Cambridge women's boat reaction
• 1d ago We have a red flag
• 1d ago Cambridge win seven in a row in the women’s Boat Race!
• 1d ago We're away!
• 1d ago Women’s race crews
• 1d ago Preamble

Luke McLaughlin’s piece from Mortlake has dropped, read the report here:

I’ll drop the full report in when it goes live, but that is it for the live coverage today. Thanks for following along with me.

Now it’s the turn of the Cambridge men. We’re unlikely to see the traditional cox dunk due to the pollution levels, so that will that be that for the boat race.

The presentations now taking place on the riverbank, first the Cambridge women collect their trophy and Jenna Armstrong is drinking the ‘British sparking wine’ out of the cup!

Oxford men's boat reaction

Lenny Jenkins, Oxford seven seat, tells the BBC: “I don’t really have any words. We had a really clear plan of what we wanted to do and we had a really good setup for that – the last couple of days have been amazing. The boys have taken another step on and then for some reason it just didn’t come together on the day. That’s really diappointing.

“It’s been a great battle with the guys, everybody’s put everything into it and I couldn’t be prouder of them. It’s a shame the results didn’t show that, but Cambridge showed their class, they’re a top group of athletes. They did to us what we wanted to do to them.

“I really didn’t expect it to be such a big difference [between the two teams]. I will also say – and this is in no way to take away from Cambridge – that we’ve had a few guys go down pretty badly with E coli strain. This morning I was throwing up and I wasn’t sure if there was going to be chance of me being in the boat, but I ultimately kept that quiet and that’s on my shoulders. I’m not sure if that was the right choice as I really didn’t have much to give. It would have been taking one of the top guys out of Isis [the Oxford reserve boat] and ruining their chances. It would have been ideal to not have so much poo in the water.

“That’s not to take away from Cambridge. They are a talented crew and I don’t know if we would have had a chance to get them even if we were on form. So it’s in no way to make excuses.”

Cambridge men's boat reaction

Cambridge University Boat Club president, Seb Benzecry, tells the BBC: “That was my last race with the club, it’s been four unbelievable years. Going into it, this was the biggest challenge we’ve had, that Oxford crew is a really, really classy unit – really good guys – so we knew we had to put a lot into and push ourselves to a place where we very rarely go. That was just the most unbelievable feeling. I’m so proud of the guys.

“Credit to Matt [Edge] to go that deep. I’m sure a lot of that margin we took early in the race was him. He was putting down such a dynamic rhythm and that takes a lot out of you in the stroke seat. So proud of him.”

Matt Edge is carried out of the boat, he left it all out there.

So that’s another double for Cambridge, a repeat of last year’s results. What have Oxford got to do to end the light blue dominance?

Doesn’t look like the Oxford cox Will Denegri will appeal, so the result will be officially confirmed shortly.

Cambridge win the men's Boat Race!

They effectively finished with seven rowers but the light blues still won by several lengths.

When I think there is not much left to say about this race the ambridge stroke seat Matt Edge begins really struggling, so the light blue boat is effectively rowing with seven crew. Oxford are too far behind at this stage to make that count.

This is over, we’re headed for a fifth Cambridge win in the last six races.

The gap is now over 10 seconds for Cambridge.

We could be on for another upset here. Oxford, if anything, are now falling further behind. Cambridge are rowing away.

Cambridge now have clear water to the Oxford boat and are moving across the line of their rivals.

Cambridge still have the lead going under the Hammersmith Bridge, the light blues lead by about a second and a half. Oxford struggling to make use of the bend advantage.

Oxford have come back a bit but Cambridge have a good lead going into the Surrey bend.

Cambridge have pulled ahead in the early running and umpire Pinsent has been busy with the white warning flag with oars nearly clashing.

Men’s race crews

Oxford: Jelmer Bennema (Exeter), Harry Glenister (Keble), Saxon Stacey (St John’s), James Doran (Oriel), Elias Kun (Green Templeton), Frederick Roper (Somerville), Leonard Jenkins (Mansfield), Elliot Kemp (Oriel)

Cox: William Denegri (Oriel)

Cambridge: Sebastian Benzecry (Jesus) Noam Mouelle (Hughes Hall), Thomas Marsh (Wolfson), Augustus John (Wolfson), Kenneth Coplan (Hughes Hall), Thomas Lynch (Hughes Hall), Luca Ferraro (King’s), Matt Edge (St Catharine’s

Cox: Ed Bracey (Wolfson)

We're underway in the men's Boat Race!

Matthew Pinsent sets the teams off.

The teams are on the start line.

Boats in the water, not long now until the men’s race.

We’ve had the coin toss for the men’s race, which was won by Oxford who chose the Surrey side of the river – the winning side for Cambridge women’s winning crew.

Oxford women's boat reaction

Oxford cox Joe Gellett: “In my mind [the bump] happened just after Cambridge had been warned and I don’t think they had moved back. Therefore it was happening in our water. Obviously that is might point of view in the heat of the moment. It will be something we look back at somepoint, probably not soon, but having discussed with the unpire and looked at past few years’ races it was a potential move that could lead to disqualification if it had happened with Cambridge in our water. Unfortunately after Richard [Phelps], the umpire conferred again with the rest of the umpires, it didn’t happen in our water. So the race stands.”

Cambridge women's boat reaction

Cambridge cox Hannah Murphy on the collision: “Seeing them [getting] closer and closer, I knew we were on our station. I had even moved slightly off our station, but I was really confident that I was in the right there and I wanted to get right back on our rhythm as soon as possible. You can see there [on the replay], that we immediately take off.”

Jenna Armstrong adds: “I trust Hannah 100%, that’s why she was selected to be the cox for this race. In the four seat my job is to trust and to go. So I just put my head down, listened to what she said and did it – we all did it. That was incredible.”

The result stands, Cambridge confirmed as winners!

Still no final decision, but the replay appears to show Oxford moved over.

Phelps and Gellett are still arguing this out. The umpire does not seem minded to change his mind, saying Oxford moved into Cambridge’s station to bump the other boat.

We have a red flag

The Oxford cox, Joe Gellett has raised his hand in appeal. Richard Phelps, the race umpire has gone over to the dark blue boat and is reminding Gellett of the pre-race briefing regarding being in station.

Cambridge win seven in a row in the women’s Boat Race!

Incredible performance from the light blues to come back and overhaul their rivals.

Oxford now trail by nearly 15 seconds. This race all turned on that incident.

Cambridge have almost certainly won this now, as they power away towards Barnes Bridge.

That has really cost Oxford, who are now well behind Cambridge, at least a full boat’s length. Oxford look like they were playing to try and get Cambridge disqualified but it massively backfired. Big error from Oxford cox Joe Gellett.

Big drama! Cambridge move in front of the Oxford boat and there’s nearly a collision as the dark blues move right up behind them.

This is high quality stuff, Cambridge almost back on terms and they nudging in front? The light blues have rowed this bend so well and look to have got in front.

Cambridge continue to claw back the deficit as they go under the Hammersmith Bridge. Now at half a length.

There is a little bit of overlap between the two boats with two thirds of race left. Cambridge not out of it yet, but have a lot to do.

Oxford were heavy favourites going into the race and we’re seeing why now. The bend is about to come into Cambridge’s favour as we near Hammersmith Bridge.

The teams are coming past Craven Cottage and Oxford look like they are pulling away again and almost breaking clear water.

Cambridge have recovered after that big early dark blue push and are sticking gamely to the task.

We're away!

And Oxford have got off well, nearly half a length up already

A lot of international interest in the Boat Race this year – the New York Times, Fox News, ABC, CNN and numerous other international media have run stories in the buildup – but not for the reasons you might want.

River Action said testing showed E. coli levels up to 10 times higher than the level the country’s Environment Agency considers to be ‘poor’, the bottom of four categories it has for rating bathing water areas.

Right then, the boats are coming out on to the water. The race gets underway in 10 minutes.

Women’s race crews

Oxford: Lucy Edmunds (Pembroke), Ella Stadler (Exeter), Tessa Haining (Balliol), Claire Aitken (Oriel), Sarah Marshall (Jesus), Annie Sharp (St Antony’s), Julia Lindsay (St Cross), Annie Anezakis (Pembroke)

Cox: Joe Gellett (St Peter’s)

Cambridge: Gemma King (St John’s), Joanna Matthews (St John’s), Iris Powell (Churchill), Jenna Armstrong (Jesus), Carina Graf (Emmanuel), Carys Earl (Gonville and Caius), Clare Hole (St Catharine’s), Megan Lee (Lucy Cavendish)

Cox: Hannah Murphy (Girton)

So today’s order of business is the 78th running of the women’s race begins at 2.46pm, while the 169th men’s race gets underway an hour later at 3.46pm (both GMT).

Guardian photographer Tom Jenkins has been spending time with the Cambridge University Boat Club over the past few months as they prepare for 2024’s races. His photo essay is well worth checking out for an insider look at the hard work and dedication that goes into taking on Oxford.

Will Thames Water’s failures know no bounds? The latest calamity of the UK privatised water industry is that the Boat Races – one of the most British of fascinations – will not feature the winners’ traditional post-race cox dunk into the river. Alas, decades of neglect and sewage dumping by the local water company have led to race organisers issuing tough new safety guidelines to combat the dangerously high levels of E coli in the Thames. At least the rowers are smart enough to know better than ignore them.

Welcome to the annual battle of the boats between Cambridge v Oxford, this year with added excrement excitement.

Cambridge won both the women’s and men’s race last year, continuing Oxford’s win-less run in the women’s race that dates back to 2016. It is a similar story of light blue dominance in the men’s race, with Cambridge having taken victory in four of the past five men’s races. In the all-time standings, Cambridge’s men lead their series 86-81, with one recorded dead heat, and have a 47-30 advantage in the women’s series.

However, the bookmakers have Oxford are favourites in both events this year. The dark blue men’s crew, which features GB rowers Harry Glenister and Lenny Jenkins, has enjoyed positive results so far this year, albeit Cambridge boasts more experience on the Championship Course.

Oxford are banking on experience in the women’s race, with six of the crew having previously featured before. Cambridge, on the otherhand, count just two rowers - Jenna Armstrong and Carina Graf - among their crew from last year’s triumph.

• The Boat Race
• University of Cambridge
• University of Oxford

Most viewed