Young Minds Prize
Voucher + Oxford Event
Young Minds Prize is a competition by Minds Underground for children aged 8 to 14, open to students across India. It is free to take part.
Mode
Online
Fee
Free
Duration
Annual competition cycle running several months, from essay question release through the submission deadline the following spring
Format
Individual
Time needed
Several hours over multiple weeks to research, draft, and finalize a single essay of up to 1000 words
About this opportunity
The Young Minds Prize is a global essay writing competition run by Minds Underground for students aged 14 and under, inviting them to explore imaginative and thought-provoking questions beyond the standard school curriculum.
Participants choose one of three set questions spanning creative, scientific, and reflective themes and submit an original essay of up to 1000 words through an online form. The competition is open to students worldwide and is free to enter, with two age categories judged separately: 8 to 11 years and 12 to 14 years.
Winners, runners-up, and highly commended entrants are recognized with certificates, and one winner from each age category receives a voucher for Minds Underground or its parent company U2 Tuition, along with an invitation to an award ceremony hosted at Oxford University. Essays are evaluated for originality, clarity, creativity, and command of written English.
Minds Underground is the co-curricular arm of U2 Tuition, an educational company staffed by Oxbridge and Ivy League graduates, and runs the Young Minds Prize alongside a wider suite of subject-specific essay competitions for older students.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 8 to 14 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Open to students aged 14 and under worldwide, judged in two age bands: 8-11 years and 12-14 years. No academic prerequisites. Entry is free and open to UK and international students; essays must be written in English.
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Academic details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
What's covered
Participants craft a single original essay responding to one of three set creative, scientific, or imaginative prompts, with no fixed syllabus.
Rewards and recognition
Prizes
Voucher + Oxford Event
One winner from each of the two age categories receives a voucher redeemable on U2 Tuition or Minds Underground courses, along with an invitation to an award ceremony and camp hosted at Oxford University.
Certificate
Certificate of Recognition
Winners, runners-up, and highly commended entrants each receive a certificate from Minds Underground.
Recognition
Global Website Recognition
Skills your child builds
Highlights
- Award ceremony and camp hosted at Oxford University
- Global entrants from dozens of countries each year
Rounds & format
Single round: participants choose one of three set essay questions, write and submit their essay online by the deadline, and entries are reviewed by Minds Underground's academic team, with winners, runners-up, and highly commended entries announced by email a few weeks after the deadline.
How entries are judged
Essays are assessed on originality of ideas, clarity and structure of argument, creativity and engagement with the set question, and accuracy of spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Selection process
One winner is selected from each of the two age categories, 8-11 years and 12-14 years, based on originality of ideas, clarity and structure of argument, creativity and engagement with the topic, and quality of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Runners-up and highly commended entries are also recognized in each category.
How to apply
- 1Read the essay questions published on the Young Minds Prize competition page and choose one
- 2Write an original essay within the word limit; no referencing is required
- 3Submit the essay as a PDF or Word document through the official online submission form by the deadline
- 4Winners, runners-up, and highly commended entrants are notified by email a few weeks after the deadline
Fees & financial support
Fee details
No entry fee; the Young Minds Prize is free to enter for all eligible students worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Young Minds Prize free?
This opportunity is free to participate in.
Who can participate in Young Minds Prize?
Children aged 8 to 14.
What will my child gain from Young Minds Prize?
Voucher redeemable for U2 Tuition or Minds Underground courses. Invitation to an award ceremony and camp hosted at Oxford University. Certificate awarded to winners, runners-up, and highly commended entrants. Feature on the Minds Underground website for top entries. Builds argumentative writing and critical thinking skills. International recognition among thousands of global entrants.
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