About the Organization

The John Locke Institute, based in Oxford, is an independent educational organisation that aims to inspire young people to become future scholars, leaders, and thinkers. Through world-class residential programmes, conferences, and academic competitions, the Institute promotes intellectual independence, clarity of expression, and critical thought. Named after the 17th-century English philosopher, the Institute champions liberal arts education rooted in the classical tradition. Its annual Global Essay Prize is a flagship event that brings together thousands of the most promising young minds from across the world.

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About the Event

The Global Essay Prize 2025 by the John Locke Institute is one of the most prestigious international academic writing competitions for high school students. Designed to foster deep inquiry, independent thinking, and exceptional writing skills, the competition welcomes participants from across the globe to explore intellectually demanding and creative questions in diverse disciplines.

The event is curated to go beyond standard school curricula, allowing students to critically engage with themes that test not only their academic prowess but also their reasoning, research skills, and originality.

This year, over 63,000 participants registered—a remarkable testament to the growing global stature of the competition.

Essay Categories:

Participants submit essays in one of the following seven subject areas:

• Philosophy
• Politics
• Economics
• History
• Psychology
• Theology
• Law

Additionally, there is a Junior Prize category open to students under the age of 15.

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Event Timeline

Stage	Date
Registration Deadline	Closed (Earlier in 2025)
Essay Submission Deadline	30 June 2025, 23:59 GMT
Judging and Results	August–September 2025 (TBC)

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Format and Structure

Participants must submit:

• One essay in a single category.
• Word count: Varies by prompt (usually up to 2,000 words).
• Submission: Through the official competition portal (for registered participants only).

All entries are reviewed and shortlisted by a panel of expert academics from top universities, including Oxford, Harvard, and Princeton. Final evaluation is led by Professor Terence Kealey, the Chair of the Examining Board.

The judging criteria include:

• Clarity and originality of thought
• Strength of argument
• Depth of research and understanding
• Quality of writing and style
• Relevance to the essay prompt

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Location and Mode

• Mode: Fully Online
• Venue: N/A (Virtual Submission Only)

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Additional Highlights

• Grand Prize Winner: Chosen from among all category winners. The Grand Prize includes:
  • $2,000 cash award
  • Invitation to the awards ceremony in Oxford, UK
• Category Winners (7 total): Receive a certificate and publication opportunity
• Junior Prize Winner (Under 15s): Receives recognition, publication, and mentoring opportunity
• Opportunity to have the essay published on the John Locke Institute platform and other international outlets
• Enhances university applications for Ivy League and Oxbridge candidates

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Eligibility

• Open to students globally who are aged 15–18 (as of the competition year)
• Junior category: Under 15 years old
• Only those who registered before the official deadline may submit essays
• Individual participation only

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Registration Fee

• Free of charge

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FAQs

Q1: Can I submit an essay now if I missed the registration?
A: No. Only registered candidates may submit essays by 30 June 2025.

Q2: Can I submit essays in multiple categories?
A: No. Each participant is allowed only one submission.

Q3: Will the results be published?
A: Yes. Finalists and winners will be announced on the official website and may be contacted for interviews or publication opportunities.

Q4: Are international students eligible for the prizes?
A: Yes. The competition is open to all nationalities.

Q5: Will I receive a certificate?
A: Certificates are awarded to winners and may be given to finalists at the discretion of the organizers.

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Important Links

Resource	Link
Official Website	Visit Here
Submission Portal	Click Here

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Contact

📧 Email: competitions@johnlocke.com
🌐 Website: https://essaycompetition.johnlocke.com

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