The economics pathway · 2026–27
Year 9 is for finding out whether economics interests you. Notice prices, read a little, ask why. The one real decision this year is GCSE options, and the options decoder shows which choices keep economics open.
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
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
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
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
UKMT · Olympiad
Closes Wed 6 January 2027
Physical papers by Wed 6 Jan 2027; Braille/large print by Wed 30 Dec 2026; downloadable papers by Wed 27 Jan 2027.
Who can apply: School entry; intermediate level (Y9-Y11)
Cost: School entry fee
UKMT · Olympiad
On Wed 27 January 2027
Wed 27 Jan 2027; answer sheets uploaded by Thu 28 Jan 2027, 11:59pm.
Who can apply: School entry; intermediate level (Y9-Y11)
Cost: School entry fee
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
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
Deloitte UK · Work experience
Opens in March
ASPIRE 2027: Virtual 21-23 Jul 2027; TBC 26-28 Jul 2027; London 3-5 Aug 2027
Who can apply: ASPIRE: Y12 England/Wales (Y13 NI, S5 Scotland), state school, socio-economic or first-generation criterion, on track for 104 UCAS points. Explore Work: Y9-11 England/Wales, Y10-12 NI, S2-S4 Scotland
Helps with: CV
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
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
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
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
The Brilliant Club · Summer school or access programme
Dates not confirmed yet; check the official page.
Who can apply: Pupils aged 8-18 at non-selective state schools in England, Wales, Scotland, NI; placements KS2 (Y5-6), KS3 (Y7-8), KS4 (Y9-10), KS5 (Y12); schools select pupils; at least 70% must meet one of: Ever-6 FSM, no parental HE, postcode deprivation deciles 1-4.
Helps with: Personal statement
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
The eligibility checker shows what is open to you this year. For reading and short modules, try Ceteris Learn.