The Apple Swift Student Challenge is an annual competition inviting student developers worldwide to build and submit an interactive app playground in Swift. Open to enrolled students and recent graduates who are not full-time professional developers, the challenge recognizes creativity, innovation, social impact, inclusivity, and community-focused solutions.
Prizes:
- All winners: A free one-year Apple Developer Program membership, an opportunity to take the Swift certification exam at no cost, AirPods Max 2, and a personalized certificate from Apple
- Distinguished Winners (top tier): Invited to Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in Cupertino for a 3-day in-person experience
Eligibility notes:
- Minimum age varies by country: 13+ in most countries, up to 16+ in Germany, Brazil, Netherlands, Singapore, and others
- Individual submissions only (no group projects)
- Can win the award up to 3 times total; can be selected as Distinguished Winner only once
- Requires free registration as an Apple Developer
Submission: Build an app in Swift Playgrounds 4.6 or Xcode 26+ that demonstrates innovation, creativity, or social impact. The challenge opens in winter each year with results announced in spring.