“The most important medical breakthrough of my lifetime will be…”
Discuss.
We are delighted to invite Year 12-13 (6th form) students from across the UK
to participate in our annual essay competition. This competition encourages young
people to engage critically and creatively with developments in healthcare and
medical science, writing with originality and curiosity – in essence, to earn the
attention of our readers, in line with the ethos of the Gazette.
Submission Guidelines
Length: 1000- 1500 words.
(Your reference list, if included, will not count towards this total.)
Figures: No figures or images.
Eligibility: Open to all UK Year 12 and 13 school students
Entries will be assessed on:
Quality of Writing: Clear and articulate prose that should earn the reader’s
attention. Outstanding pieces will possess flair and wit, akin to a journalistic
piece rather than an academic one.
Evidence & Reasoning: Use of relevant examples or explanations to support
arguments. A strong essay should not simply be an academic exercise per se,
but rather an engaging article that combines strong arguments with
readability.
Creativity & Originality: Writing that exposes the reader to unique and
genuinely interesting perspectives.
Prizes
Winner & Runner Up: The essays will be published in the 2025/26 print and website
editions of the Oxford Medical School Gazette.
Deadline
Saturday 20th December 2025
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us here.