<p>The Minds Underground Psychology Essay Competition invites pre-university students to explore human behaviour, the mind, and psychological theory through independent research and academic writing. The competition is aimed at Year 12 students preparing for university-level study, including admissions tests and interviews for Oxbridge and other leading universities.</p><ul><li>Eligibility: primarily Year 12 students, with younger entrants and Year 13 university re-applicants also welcome</li><li>Entrants choose one of three set questions released for the 2026 edition</li><li>Essay requirements: 1000-1500 words in English with Harvard citation format</li><li>Submission deadline: 3 April 2026, 11:00 pm</li><li>Top entrants from the linked British Psychology Olympiad progress into the Global Essay Round</li><li>High-performing students receive recognition and invitations to Minds Underground's "Beyond the Syllabus" psychology summer camps (Oxford-based or online)</li></ul><p>Entrants submit their essay via the official submission form on the Minds Underground Psychology Essay Competition page.</p>
Who can apply
Open primarily to Year 12 students; younger entrants and Year 13 university re-applicants are also welcome
How to apply
Submit an essay (1000-1500 words, Harvard citation, in English) via the Essay Competition Submission Form by 3 April 2026. The 2026 round has closed and the 2027 questions have not been posted yet.
What you get
Award RecognitionCertificate
Frequently asked
Who runs this?+
Run by Minds Underground.
Who can apply?+
Open primarily to Year 12 students; younger entrants and Year 13 university re-applicants are also welcome
When's the deadline?+
Applications close on 3 April 2026.
How do I apply?+
Submit an essay (1000-1500 words, Harvard citation, in English) via the Essay Competition Submission Form by 3 April 2026.
<p>The Minds Underground Psychology Essay Competition invites pre-university students to explore human behaviour, the mind, and psychological theory through independent research and academic writing. The competition is aimed at Year 12 students preparing for university-level study, including admissions tests and interviews for Oxbridge and other leading universities.</p><ul><li>Eligibility: primarily Year 12 students, with younger entrants and Year 13 university re-applicants also welcome</li><li>Entrants choose one of three set questions released for the 2026 edition</li><li>Essay requirements: 1000-1500 words in English with Harvard citation format</li><li>Submission deadline: 3 April 2026, 11:00 pm</li><li>Top entrants from the linked British Psychology Olympiad progress into the Global Essay Round</li><li>High-performing students receive recognition and invitations to Minds Underground's "Beyond the Syllabus" psychology summer camps (Oxford-based or online)</li></ul><p>Entrants submit their essay via the official submission form on the Minds Underground Psychology Essay Competition page.</p>
Who can apply
Open primarily to Year 12 students; younger entrants and Year 13 university re-applicants are also welcome
How to apply
Submit an essay (1000-1500 words, Harvard citation, in English) via the Essay Competition Submission Form by 3 April 2026. The 2026 round has closed and the 2027 questions have not been posted yet.
What you get
Award RecognitionCertificate
Frequently asked
Who runs this?+
Run by Minds Underground.
Who can apply?+
Open primarily to Year 12 students; younger entrants and Year 13 university re-applicants are also welcome
When's the deadline?+
Applications close on 3 April 2026.
How do I apply?+
Submit an essay (1000-1500 words, Harvard citation, in English) via the Essay Competition Submission Form by 3 April 2026.
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