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.
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.
Participants submit essays in one of the following seven subject areas:
Additionally, there is a Junior Prize category open to students under the age of 15.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Deadline | Closed (Earlier in 2025) |
| Essay Submission Deadline | 30 June 2025, 23:59 GMT |
| Judging and Results | August–September 2025 (TBC) |
Participants must submit:
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:
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.
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | Visit Here |
| Submission Portal | Click Here |
📧 Email: competitions@johnlocke.com
🌐 Website: https://essaycompetition.johnlocke.com
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