The RGS School Essay Competition is a free annual writing contest run jointly by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and the Financial Times. It invites students aged 16–18 to engage with a current geographical question, producing a well-evidenced essay of up to 1,000 words. International students studying geography at A Level, IB, or equivalent are eligible to enter.
The question:
Each year the RGS publishes a new geographical question. The 2026 question asks: "What factors drive migration, how are patterns shifting and what are the consequences?" — with required engagement on climate factors and post-2020 geopolitical developments.
Format:
Entries are submitted online via the RGS portal and judged anonymously by a panel from the Financial Times and the Royal Geographical Society. Essays must be up to 1,000 words (excluding title and references) and may include an ArcGIS StoryMap as an alternative format. Referenced sources are required, including at least one FT article.
Prizes:
- Winner: £50 Amazon voucher (or local currency equivalent)
- Winning essay published on the RGS website and considered for publication on FT.com
- Winning and highly commended essays submitted to Routes Journal (peer-reviewed geography education journal) for consideration
Key dates (2026 cycle):
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission deadline | Monday, 9 November 2026, 5:00 PM GMT |
| Results announced | Friday, 12 February 2027 |
| Awards celebration | Monday, 12 July 2027 (provisional) |