The economics pathway · 2026–27
Year 13 is the application year: admissions tests, UCAS deadlines, interviews and decisions.
Confirmed seen on the official page. Last year’s timing a month only, not a deadline. Not yet confirmed check the official page.
English-Speaking Union · Debating and MUN
Closes Wed 16 September 2026
Registration for 2026-27 closed 16 Sep 2026
Who can apply: Ages 11-18 (Y7-Y13), school teams
Helps with: Interview, CV
UAT-UK / Pearson VUE · Admissions test
Opens Mon 20 July 2026 · Closes Mon 28 September 2026, 18:00
UAT-UK registration opened 1 Jun 2026
Who can apply: Applicants for 2027 entry (Cambridge, LSE, Imperial, Warwick, Oxford etc.)
Cost: Test fee (bursary must be approved before booking)
UAT-UK · Admissions test
Opens Mon 20 July 2026 · Closes Mon 28 September 2026, 18:00
Registration from 1 Jun 2026; test 12-16 Oct 2026
Who can apply: 2027-entry Oxford PPE applicants
Cost: Test fee
LSE Students' Union Economics Society (2026 with ASEEDER) · Essay competition
Usually opens in June; we’ll confirm · Usually closes in September; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Pre-university students
Helps with: Personal statement
Rochester Independent College (on behalf of the IEO Committee) · Olympiad
Usually opens in September; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Secondary students aged 19 or under; RIC recommends at least age 14 (GCSE/A-level level questions)
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview, CV
PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG · Work experience
Opens in September
KPMG: 2027 Apprenticeship & Graduate Programmes open, vacancies fill quickly; KPMG Discovery Work Experience for students finishing Y13 in 2027. PwC Flying Start: autumn 2027 start, via UCAS; bursary deadline 12 Mar 2027
Who can apply: Year 13 leavers
A paid role or placement.
UK Mathematics Trust · Olympiad
On Wed 7 October 2026
Wed 7 Oct 2026; answer sheets uploaded by Thu 8 Oct 2026, 11:59pm.
Who can apply: Year 13 or below, entered by school
Cost: School entry fee
Helps with: Personal statement
UCAS · Applications and decisions
Closes Thu 15 October 2026, 18:00
Who can apply: Y13 / gap-year applicants
Cost: UCAS application fee
UAT-UK / Pearson VUE · Admissions test
From Mon 12 October 2026 to Fri 16 October 2026
Test window 12-16 Oct 2026 (15-16 Oct in China, HK, Macau)
Who can apply: Booked candidates; Oxford/Cambridge applicants must use October
Cost: Test fee
UAT-UK · Admissions test
From Mon 12 October 2026 to Fri 16 October 2026
Who can apply: Booked candidates
Cost: Test fee
Immerse Education (commercial) · Essay competition
Opens Mon 3 August 2026 · Closes Sun 25 October 2026
The 2027 round ran 3 Aug to 25 Oct 2026 and has closed; results 9 Nov 2026.
Who can apply: Ages 13-18
Helps with: Personal statement, CV
UCL · Summer school or access programme
Opens in September · Closes Tue 27 October 2026, 10:00
Events 18 Nov 2026 - 29 Jan 2027
Who can apply: Y12 or Y13 (or equivalent) at a UK state school/college; 5 GCSEs 9-4 (or 9-5); on track for BBB+; meet one or more under-representation criteria (e.g. disability, young carer, care-experienced, estranged); teacher verification required; points-based prioritisation.
Helps with: Personal statement
Royal Geographical Society with the Financial Times · Essay competition
Closes Mon 9 November 2026, 17:00
Entries by 5pm GMT, Mon 9 Nov 2026; up to 1,000 words.
Who can apply: Sixth-form geography students aged 16-18 (A Level geography or equivalent), UK and overseas schools; max 1,000 words; one entry per student
Helps with: Personal statement
Ideas Matter with the Bill of Rights Institute · Debating and MUN
On Sat 14 November 2026
Final day of debate Sat 14 Nov 2026, Westminster, London; three UK and three US teams
Who can apply: Selected sixth-form debaters
Helps with: Interview, CV
UAT-UK · Admissions test
On Mon 16 November 2026
Results via UAT-UK account 16 Nov 2026
Who can apply: October candidates
UKMT · Olympiad
On Wed 18 November 2026
Wed 18 Nov 2026.
Who can apply: By invitation (around 1,000 qualifiers from the SMC)
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview
English-Speaking Union · Debating and MUN
From Wed 4 November 2026 to Tue 24 November 2026
Round One 4-24 Nov 2026, in person; exact heat date/venue set by draw
Who can apply: Registered school teams
Helps with: Interview, CV
Warwick Department of Economics with Warwick Economics Society · Essay competition
Usually closes in November; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Students aged 16-18 at UK schools; one essay of up to 1,000 words
Helps with: Personal statement
CamMUN · Debating and MUN
Usually opens in September; we’ll confirm · Usually closes in November; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Ages 14-18, as part of a school delegation via a faculty advisor (no individual applications)
Helps with: Interview, CV
LSE (paid) · Summer school or access programme
Usually opens in November; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: University-level summer school; no minimum age but applicants must at least hold an offer of a university place. Not a programme for current school pupils.
Cost: 2026: £3,350 student / £4,450 standard per session, plus £60 application fee; 2027 fees not yet published
Helps with: Personal statement, CV
Rothschild & Co · Work experience
Opens Mon 7 December 2026
Rolling recruitment, so apply early. 3 days in London, August 2027.
Who can apply: Year 13 students interested in financial advisory; on track for at least 136 UCAS points or equivalent. Programme in London.
Helps with: CV
Rothschild & Co · Work experience
Opens Mon 7 December 2026
Rolling recruitment, so apply early. 3 days in London, August 2027.
Who can apply: Year 13 female students interested in financial advisory; on track for at least 136 UCAS points or equivalent; within commutable distance of London.
Helps with: CV, Personal statement
UAT-UK · Admissions test
Closes Mon 14 December 2026, 18:00
Bursary must be approved before booking
Who can apply: Candidates seeking a fee bursary for the January sitting (TMUA/TARA)
University of Cambridge / colleges · Applications and decisions
From Mon 7 December 2026 to Fri 18 December 2026
Main interview period 7-18 Dec 2026; most invitations sent in November
Who can apply: Invited applicants
UAT-UK / Pearson VUE · Admissions test
Opens Wed 28 October 2026, 15:00 · Closes Mon 21 December 2026, 18:00
Booking 3pm 28 Oct to 6pm 21 Dec 2026 (UK time). A bursary must be approved before booking.
Who can apply: 2027-entry applicants not applying to Oxford/Cambridge
Cost: Test fee; bursary deadline 6pm 14 Dec 2026
UAT-UK · Admissions test
Opens Mon 26 October 2026 · Closes Mon 21 December 2026, 18:00
Test 4-8 Jan 2027; Foundation Year PPE application deadline 13 Jan 2027
Who can apply: Oxford Foundation Year PPE applicants (either sitting allowed)
Cost: Test fee; bursary deadline 14 Dec 2026
University of Oxford · Applications and decisions
In December
Shortlisting/invitations mid-Nov to early Dec 2026; interviews early-mid Dec
Who can apply: Shortlisted applicants
Uehiro Oxford Institute · Essay competition
Opens Fri 4 September 2026 · Closes Mon 4 January 2027, 16:00
Video entries by 4pm, Mon 4 Jan 2027; winners mid-Feb; final in Oxford 23 Mar 2027.
Who can apply: UK-based teams of 3-5 students in Y11-Y13 (S4-S6; NI Y12-14); video entry
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview
UAT-UK / Pearson VUE · Admissions test
From Mon 4 January 2027 to Fri 8 January 2027
Test window 4-8 Jan 2027 (8 Jan only in China, HK, Macau)
Who can apply: Booked candidates
Cost: Test fee
University of Oxford · Applications and decisions
On Tue 12 January 2027
Outcome via UCAS 12 Jan 2027; colleges follow up later that day
Who can apply: Shortlisted applicants
UCAS · Applications and decisions
Closes Wed 13 January 2027, 18:00
Applies to LSE, UCL, Warwick and most courses
Who can apply: Y13 / gap-year applicants
Cost: UCAS application fee
University of Oxford · Summer school or access programme
Opens in September · Closes Wed 13 January 2027, 18:00
PPE: TARA January sitting 4-8 Jan 2027
Who can apply: UK non-selective state school students (some exceptions) eligible for home fees; meet Categories 1, 2 and 3 (educational disadvantage/disruption criteria) or Category 4 (care experience); no private school attendance at any time; no international students; no deferred entry. PPE entry BBB; PPE requires TARA test.
UKMT · Olympiad
On Wed 20 January 2027
Wed 20 Jan 2027.
Who can apply: By qualification from BMO1
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview
University of Cambridge colleges · Applications and decisions
On Wed 27 January 2027
Decisions emailed Wed 27 Jan 2027 (date given by Christ's College)
Who can apply: All interviewed applicants
English-Speaking Union · Debating and MUN
From Mon 11 January 2027 to Fri 29 January 2027
Round Two 11-29 Jan 2027; regional final draw sent 9 Feb 2027
Who can apply: Teams progressing from Round One
Helps with: Interview, CV
Institute of Economic Affairs · Competition
Closes Fri 29 January 2027, 23:59
Entries (PDF) by 23:59 Fri 29 Jan 2027, no late entries; semi-finals Feb/Mar 2027, final Mar/Apr 2027
Who can apply: Sixth-form school teams
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview, CV
University of Cambridge · Applications and decisions
Usually in January; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Pooled applicants
Morgan Stanley · Insight programme
Usually closes in January; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Year 12-13; some strands female students only
Helps with: Personal statement, CV
UAT-UK · Admissions test
On Mon 8 February 2027
Results via UAT-UK account 8 Feb 2027
Who can apply: January candidates
Goldman Sachs (EMEA) · Insight programme
Usually closes in February; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Year 12 and Year 13 A-level / IB students; attendance by invitation after application
Helps with: Personal statement, CV
English-Speaking Union · Debating and MUN
From Wed 3 March 2027 to Wed 17 March 2027
Regional finals 3-17 Mar 2027, date set by region (e.g. South-East 16 Mar, East 17 Mar)
Who can apply: Teams progressing from Round Two
Helps with: Interview, CV
Rochester Independent College · Olympiad
Usually in March; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Registered BEO entrants
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview, CV
Royal Institute of Philosophy · Essay competition
Closes Mon 19 April 2027, 23:59
Deadline midnight (BST), Mon 19 Apr 2027; essay by email plus application form.
Who can apply: Aged 15-18 on the deadline, any nationality, anywhere; max 1,200 words; one of five questions
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview
The Orwell Foundation · Essay competition
Opens in November · Closes Wed 28 April 2027, 23:59
Optional draft feedback deadline 23:59 BST, Wed 3 Mar 2027.
Who can apply: Age 11-19 by closing date, in full-time education in the UK; up to 1,000 words (Y7-11) or 1,500 words (Y12-13)
Helps with: Personal statement, CV
Trinity College, Cambridge · Essay competition
Usually opens in February; we’ll confirm · Usually closes in April; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Students in their final or penultimate year of secondary school who have not entered before; UK and International divisions; max 2,000 words
Helps with: Personal statement
English-Speaking Union · Debating and MUN
Usually in April; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: 12 regional champions
Helps with: Interview, CV
MUN London · Debating and MUN
Usually in April; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Secondary school students
Helps with: Interview, CV
John Locke Institute · Essay competition
Usually opens in February; we’ll confirm · Usually closes in May; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Students from any country, under 19 on the regular submission deadline; junior category for younger entrants
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview, CV
IPO / FISP · Olympiad
Usually in May; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: National delegates only
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview, CV
University of Warwick (paid) · Summer school or access programme
Closes Fri 4 June 2027
Programme 20-30 Jul 2027. Applicants needing a visa: deadline 31 May 2027. Places are first-come, first-served and applications may close early.
Who can apply: Aged 16 or 17 for the duration of the programme.
Cost: £5,500 incl. £1,000 deposit; £50 application fee
Helps with: Personal statement
UCAS · Applications and decisions
Closes Wed 30 June 2027, 18:00
30 Jun 2027, 18:00 UK time. After this, applications go straight into Clearing
Who can apply: Late applicants
Cost: UCAS application fee
Royal Economic Society / Discover Economics, sponsored by KPMG UK · Essay competition
Usually opens in March; we’ll confirm · Usually closes in June; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Students in Years 10 to 13 (or equivalent); entries as blog, presentation, podcast or video on one of five economic issues
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview, CV
Morgan Stanley · Insight programme
Usually closes in June; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Year 13 students from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds
Helps with: CV
UCAS · Applications and decisions
Opens Thu 25 February 2027 · Closes Thu 1 July 2027
Extra opens 25 Feb 2027; last day to add an Extra choice 1 Jul 2027
Who can apply: Applicants with no offers
The Marshall Society (University of Cambridge economics society) · Essay competition
Usually opens in July; we’ll confirm · Usually closes in August; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Pre-university students worldwide
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview
King's College, Cambridge (Entrepreneurship Lab) · Essay competition
Usually opens in May; we’ll confirm · Usually closes in August; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: UK-based students in Y11-Y13 (S4-S6 Scotland; Y12-14 NI)
Helps with: Personal statement, CV
Institute of Economic Affairs with the Institute of International Monetary Research and the Vinson Centre (University of Buckingham) · Essay competition
Usually closes in August; we’ll confirm
Who can apply: Sixth-form students, UK or international, able to attend the semi-final and final in person (separate undergraduate competition)
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview
University of Cambridge colleges · Open day
On Fri 10 September 2027
Fri 10 Sep 2027; booking opens after the July Open Days
Who can apply: Prospective applicants
University of Oxford · Open day
On Fri 17 September 2027
Fri 17 Sep 2027
Who can apply: Prospective applicants
UCAS · Applications and decisions
Opens Fri 2 July 2027 · Closes Mon 18 October 2027
Clearing opens 2 Jul 2027; final date for 2027 applications 23 Sep 2027 (18:00); last date to add a Clearing choice 18 Oct 2027
Who can apply: Applicants without a place
The Concord Review, Inc. (US) · Essay competition
Rolling. Issue cut-offs: 1 Aug (Winter), 1 Nov (Spring), 1 Feb (Summer), 1 May (Fall); essays eligible for the next three issues.
Who can apply: Sole-author history paper completed before finishing secondary school; in English; not previously published outside school
Cost: Submission fee $90 (USD), listed price, with a 1-year eBook subscription
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview, CV
London Institute of Banking & Finance · Competition
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Ages 14-19, teams of four registered by a teacher (TRN); overseas teams round one only
Helps with: CV
Young Enterprise · Competition
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Students in a registered school/centre; up to 32 per student company
Cost: GBP 560 per student company (state schools) or GBP 2,500 (independent schools) per official programme page (year not stated)
Helps with: Personal statement, CV
British Philosophy Olympiad (UK national selection), under FISP/IPO rules · Olympiad
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Secondary students; UK sends up to two delegates
Helps with: Personal statement
Debating Matters (Ideas Matter / Academy of Ideas) · Debating and MUN
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Current sixth-form students (Y12-Y13; S5-S6 in Scotland), school teams
Cost: GBP 75 entry fee plus own travel
Helps with: Interview, CV
LSE · Admissions test
Sit 12-16 Oct 2026 or 4-8 Jan 2027; October strongly encouraged. Only the first sitting's result in a cycle is accepted.
Who can apply: BSc Economics and BSc Econometrics & Mathematical Economics applicants (mandatory); recommended for other programmes
Cost: Test fee
University of Oxford · Reading and courses
Always open online: Big Questions, classroom resources and competitions
Who can apply: Ages 11-18
Helps with: Personal statement
University of Cambridge · Reading and courses
Online resources always open at myheplus.com; programme runs autumn to summer of Y12
Who can apply: Online resources: any school student. Programme: Y12 at HE+ partner state schools in 5 regions of England only
MIT OpenCourseWare / Khan Academy / Coursera · Reading and courses
Always open; 14.01 Fall 2023 (Gruber): lecture videos, problem sets, exams with solutions
Who can apply: Anyone
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview
University of Oxford colleges · Summer school or access programme
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Academically able students at non-selective state schools with little history of progression to Oxford; Y10 to Y13 events; Y12 study days open to Y12/S5 at non-selective state schools UK-wide. (BeUNIQ separately targets Y10-11 at UK state schools.)
Villiers Park Educational Trust · Summer school or access programme
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Young people aged 11-19 from under-represented backgrounds, through partner schools and colleges in Villiers Park's areas (Hastings and Bexhill, Tyneside, Swindon and Wiltshire, Norwich, Cambridgeshire).
Zero Gravity (social enterprise) · Summer school or access programme
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Y12-13 (S4-S5 Scotland, Y13-14 NI) at a UK state school (grammar counts); academic profile plus socio-economic background (area/school progression data; income support, refugee, carer, care experience). Postcode eligibility checker.
Helps with: Personal statement, Interview
Generating Genius · Summer school or access programme
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Years 12-13 (ages 16-18); STEM charity supporting talented students from low socio-economic backgrounds; university application support and industry mentoring.
Helps with: Personal statement, CV
Brightside (charity) · Summer school or access programme
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Mainly via partner schools, colleges, universities and employers. Spotlight (schools): careers programme with 1:1 online mentoring for students most in need, e.g. Y10 pupils in Westminster schools. Past open London programme: an online mentor for 16-19 year olds, prioritising first in family, low-income, carers/care-experienced. Site says it is not currently able to offer mentoring to individual mentees.
Springpod / UCAS · Work experience
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Generally 13+/14+ (ages are guideline; some programmes region-restricted)
Helps with: Personal statement, CV
Speakers for Schools (now 'Futures For All') · Work experience
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Ages 14-19 at state schools/colleges in the UK
Helps with: CV, Personal statement
The eligibility checker shows what you can apply for. The Pathway Plan keeps your own list, a record you can export and alerts before dates open and close.