Register now to enter the New College of the Humanities Essay Competition. NCH is inviting competition essay entries from students who are currently in their penultimate year of secondary education (Y12 equivalent in the UK).  Our selection of essay titles engages across a broad range of humanities and social sciences topics and we look forward to receiving entries from talented and intellectually curious students who show passion and academic potential in the humanities and social sciences. We welcome entries from students located anywhere in the world.

Choose your essay title

Art History:

‘Oscar Wilde claimed that ‘All art is quite useless’. Can art’s uselessness be a source of it usefulness?’

Economics:

‘Nudges have been successfully used by governments around the world to influence people’s behaviours (Thaler 2008), but will we become immune to such ‘tricks’?’

English:

‘What are literary critics for?’

History:

‘Can history teach us lessons?’

Law:

‘Was the EU Commission correct to fine Google for abuse of a strong market position in online markets?’

Philosophy:

‘What kinds of inequality, if any, are unjust?’

Politics & International Relations:

‘What measures can be taken to increase voter turn-out at elections?’

Prizes

There will be the following prizes awarded for each subject:

First place £1,000 cash prize

Second place £500 cash prize

Third place £250 cash prize

Runners up £40 voucher

How to enter

1. Register for the competition – After registering you will be emailed more information

2. Choose one of the essay titles

3. Write your 1,500-word essay

4. Submit your essay via our online form (URL will be provided to you after you register) by Thursday 31st January 2019

Who can enter

The NCH London Essay Competition is open to students who are currently in their penultimate (second to last) year of secondary education, year 12, and who are interested in studying humanities or social sciences at university. This is a global competition, so we encourage entries from those studying anywhere in the world. Find full competition rules here.