Competitions and awards are a fantastic way to show employers just what you can do.

Whether it's a chance to get an innovative business idea off the ground, study abroad or secure funding for the internship of a lifetime, it's a great way to stand out from the crowd.

Below you will find a selection of various challenges and awards. These are listed in alphabetical order so please be sure to check each item for specific dates and deadlines.

If you wish to search for further awards or scholarships, please log into JobsLive, click on 'Find a vacancy' and filter the Vacancy type by 'Studentships, scholarships & awards'.

Competitions, Surveys and Awards

Accuracy Business Cup

The Accuracy Business Cup, or ABC, is an international student competition giving you the opportunity to work on financial and strategic business cases. During the competition, you will work under the supervision of Accuracy consultants and present your recommendations to the leaders of a major listed company.

In order to join the competition, you need to form a group of three candidates. The first stage of the competition will take place in two rounds in the country in which you applied. Winners of each national stage will go up against each other during the international final, held in front of a prestigious jury.

The competition welcomes all students enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, with no more than 2 years of cumulated professional experience.

Register before January 2025!

Accuracy Construction Championship 2025

Put your analytical and project management skills to the test by working on a real-world construction case study and present your findings in front of leading experts in the industry and ex-CEO of a top construction company.

The Accuracy Construction Championship is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students of engineering and project management.

To apply, please form a team of three and submit each group member's CV, either with your group name or individual names to constructionchampionshipUK@accuracy.com by Friday 31 January.

CleanTech Challenge 2025

The CleanTech Challenge is a global business plan competition for students with clean technology ideas hosted by London Business School in conjunction with University College London.

The challenge is open to all current university students (undergraduate and postgraduate) and takes place over three stages between November and April. This year's Finals will take place over Wednesday 16 - Thursday 17 April at London Business School.

For more information, head to the CleanTech Challenge website. Entries must be submitted before 23.59 Friday 17 January 2025.

Develop Phase of Panacea Stars

A fantastic opportunity for science-entrepreneurs has arrived!

Applications are now open for the Develop Phase of Panacea Stars, which enables early-stage deep science founders to de-risk and fund their start-up, whilst competing for a prize worth £100k!

Register now to apply for this great opportunity!

FoNS Make-A-Difference Competition

The aim of the FoNS Make-A-Difference! Competition is to provide undergraduate students with a forum to develop low-cost technology that would have a positive impact on society. The competition is divided into three stages which run from November 2024 - October 2025.

Not only will you develop new skills to enhance your CV, your team could stand to win prizes up to the value of £7000

The deadline for registration is 17.00 on Friday 24 January. For more information and to get involved, head to the FoNS-MAD competition webpage.

 

 

GSA SPARK 2024

SPARK is a coding challenge hosted by GSA, especially suited for first year undergraduates from all STEM disciplines. There are lots of daily prizes up for grabs and £1000 for the overall winner.

The events runs over 21 days, from Friday 29 November to Thursday 19 December. For more information and to register, head to the SPARK website.

Imperial Award

Want to earn an official extra from Imperial on your graduation transcript? Do you want recognition for your employer-friendly attributes? Then the Imperial Award is for you.

Open to all current students (and designed with input from the Careers Service), the Imperial Award gives you a completely private online portfolio to use as a diary or journal. The interactive journal lets you identify your best evidence to enhance your CV and, if you wish, to back up your claim to the assessors (one page of writing). The assessors give written, individual feedback. Multiple assessment periods are offered.

Why? College wants you to develop and rehearse the reflective self-awareness that employers seek from graduates and College is willing to recognise it, formally.

Simply register by logging in with your College username and password, click on ‘guidance’ to watch the promo video and read the Student Guidance pack [pdf], which contains all the information you need to start working towards the Imperial Award. Once you've registered, you’ll hear from the Award team about upcoming workshops and further guidance to support your progress. 

It is free, has immediate benefits, runs all year and could enhance your official transcript.

Find out more here at the Imperial Award webpage. 

Siemens Immersive Design Challenge

Siemens and Sony are challenging teams of students to imagine how they would use immersive design with the Sony XR head-mounted display to make a product of their choice more sustainable. The product can be something that they are already working on (personally or in class) or something completely new.

Round 1 is now open! Register and submit your idea before 17.00 on Friday 20 December.

For more information, please visit the Immersive Design Challenge website.

targetjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards

The targetjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards is an annual competition aimed at finding the best undergraduates in the UK. There are 12 awards, each partnered by an employer who provides a fantastic prize for the winner, which could include a paid internship, a trip abroad or other exclusive opportunities.

Applications for the 2025 awards are now open! Please see the Undergraduate of the Year Awards website for more information.

The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme

The Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme at Imperial College London is entering its second year! This inspiring and challenging 18-month programme for undergraduate students aims to give a new generation of leaders the knowledge, skills and experience to support their future career and drive meaningful change.

Delivered by the Leonardo Centre on Business for Society, the programme includes:

  • bespoke leadership training;
  • a research project of your choice;
  • networking with inspirational peers (over 2,000 scholars and alumni);
  • a generous stipend (£3,000 per summer);
  • a real-world Leadership in Action experience.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 9 February. For more information, and to apply, please head to the Laidlaw Scholars Leadership and Research Programme website.