John Locke Institute Essay Competition

The John Locke Institute Essay Competition is a prestigious international writing contest that encourages high school and university students to engage with big ideas in philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law. It challenges students to develop independent thought, critical reasoning, and academic writing skills by responding to thought-provoking questions set by the Institute.

• Global competition:Open to students worldwide to foster independent thought and advanced academic skills. 
• Challenging questions:Invites students to delve into complex topics beyond the typical school curriculum. 
• Subject areas:Covers disciplines such as Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law. 

Benefits for Students

• Skill development:Helps students build knowledge, refine argumentation, improve critical thinking, and enhance writing style. 
• Academic recognition:Offers a way to showcase academic excellence, with certificates for participants and honors for top performers. 
• Expert feedback:Provides an opportunity for students to have their essays assessed by a panel of senior academics from prestigious universities like Oxford and Princeton. 
• University advantage:The analytical thinking and persuasive writing skills gained are highly sought after by top universities. 

How It Works

• Entry:The competition is free to enter. 
• Judging:Entries are judged by a panel of senior academics. 
• Prizes:Awards are given for the best essays in each subject category, a Junior category for under-15s, and a Grand Prize for the overall best entry.