Since its establishment in 1883, the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition has been the world’s oldest international writing competition for schoolchildren. Each year, thousands of youth take part, making it a major venue for showcasing student perspectives, honoring achievements, and fostering critical writing abilities.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025 (QCEC) is now open for entries. This year’s theme, “Our Commonwealth Journey,” invites young writers to explore journeys—whether personal, historical, or within the Commonwealth’s 75-year evolution.

Quick Details:

• Offered by: Royal Commonwealth Society
• Sponsored by: Lagos State Government
• Location: London, UK
• Deadline: 23 May 2025
• Gender: Any
• Type: Competition
• Theme: Our Commonwealth Journey
• Eligible Nations: Nationals or residents of Commonwealth countries, Hong Kong, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and non-Commonwealth countries with an RCS-affiliated branch.

Categories:

• Senior Category
• Junior Category

Benefits:

• A weeklong program of cultural and educational events in London will be provided to the top two winners in each category, and the trip will culminate in an exclusive awards ceremony hosted at a royal palace.
• All accepted contributions will receive a Certificate of Participation, and for their outstanding writing, certain participants will receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards.

Eligibility Criteria

This is open to nationals or residents of Commonwealth countries, Hong Kong, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and non-Commonwealth countries with an RCS-affiliated branch.

Senior Category (14-18 years, born between 23 May 2006 and 23 May 2011)

• Imagine a Commonwealth where everyone has equal access to education.
• Retell a legend or folklore from a Commonwealth country in a surprising way.
• Write about a book that took you on an unforgettable journey.
• Describe the life journey of a plant growing in your community.

Junior Category (Under 14 years, born on or after 23 May 2011)

• Write about learning something fascinating about another Commonwealth country.
• Describe a sea voyage between two Commonwealth nations.
• Discover a secret door into your favorite book—what happens next?
• Imagine a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting for animals—who attends and what do they discuss?

Submission Rules

Entrants must follow these rules:

Word Limit:

• Senior: Max 1,500 words
• Junior: Max 750 words
  (No minimum word count; exceeding the limit leads to disqualification.)

Submission Rules:

• One entry per participant; edit carefully before submission.
• No personal details in uploaded entries (name, school, etc.).
• Format: Only .doc, .docx, or .pdf files accepted.
• Deadline: 23:59 BST, 23 May 2025 (offline entries must reach RCS London by this date).

Special Educational Needs:

• Entries must match the entrant’s learning stage and be submitted by a qualified adult.

Originality and AI Use:

• Plagiarism leads to disqualification.
• AI-generated content is not allowed; originality is crucial.
• Entries must be individual work (no group submissions).

Privacy and Copyright:

• Personal details will be stored per the RCS Privacy Policy.
• Winners’ names, schools, entries, and photos may be published.
• RCS retains the right to use submitted pieces for educational and promotional purposes.

How to Apply?

To apply, click the Apply Now button below and complete the form.

Apply Now

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• 26th International Short Film Festival Posters Contest “Ciudad de Soria” 2024

For more details, kindly refer to Royal Commonwealth Society’s website.