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?
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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 pr.oxbridgelaunchpad@gmail.com to let us know first and we can approve it.
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Entries are open to UK state school students only, and we can only accept one entry per person.
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Structure and style are up to you, no need to reference.
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Suggested word count is ~1500 words, up to a maximum of 1750 words.
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Please submit your essay as a pdf called 'FirstName_Surname_Subject' by emailing it to pr.oxbridgelaunchpad@gmail.com by 6pm 1st April. We will review submissions in April and announce winner(s) in May.
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If you'd like to register your interest and receive reminders, please fill out the form here
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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!
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The opportunity to research your subject in depth and practise your essay-writing
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Material to talk about on your personal statement or in your interview
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Written feedback on your essay from our team of current Oxbridge students
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The winning essay(s) will be published on our website, along with the names of the authors of shortlisted essays
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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.
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A free place on our summer programme for winning essay(s)!
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COMPETITION QUESTIONS 2024
Anthropology - What do you think is the biggest challenge faced by modern anthropologists and why?
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Biology - What do you think the biggest breakthrough in biology will be in the 21st century and why? Has it already happened?
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Chemistry - ‘The field of chemistry will be essential in solving the world's energy crisis.’ Discuss.
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Classics - ‘No other ancient culture has left a more notable impression on the culture of today than the ancient Greeks.’ Discuss.
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Computer Science - Will digital intelligence ever replace biological intelligence?
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Economics - ‘Billionaires should be banned.’ Discuss.
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Engineering - ‘Engineers will be the ones to solve the climate crisis.’ Discuss
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Literature - Should we study texts that offend?
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Geography - ‘The study of geography is the key to solving the climate crisis.’ Discuss.
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History - Can history be objective?
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Law - Are there too many or too few laws in the UK today?
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Linguistics/Philology - ‘There is no such thing as ‘universal grammar’. Discuss.
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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?
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Mathematics - ‘The opportunity to find absolute truths through mathematical proof makes mathematics a subject like none other.’ Discuss.
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Medicine - What area of medicine do you believe is the most under researched? Why is this the case?
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Philosophy - Does it really matter whether we have a free will or not?
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Physics - ‘Developments in the field of quantum mechanics has the potential to fundamentally change the world in the near future.’ Discuss.
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Politics - ‘Corruption will always be an issue in politics, there is nothing voters can do to prevent it.’ Discuss.
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Psychology - ‘Emotion cannot be quantified.’ Discuss.
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Theology and Religion - ‘It is arrogant to call oneself an atheist.’ Discuss.
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Deadline is 6pm on April 1st, 2024, so get writing!
Any further questions, contact pr.oxbridgelaunchpad@gmail.com