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 in their final two school years are eligible. The terms explicitly allow geography within U.S. social studies; geography need not always be a separately named subject. Eligibility is assessed on the November 9, 2026 closing date.
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:
Teachers submit entries online via the RGS portal with anonymized file/submission codes; entries are 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
- The Society submits the winning entry to Routes Journal for consideration; highly commended entrants may submit their own work
Key dates (2026 cycle):
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission deadline | Monday, 9 November 2026, 5:00 PM GMT |
| Results expected by | Friday, 12 February 2027 |
| Awards celebration | Afternoon, Monday, 12 July 2027 (provisional) |
Checked November 4, 2026 against the competition overview, 2026 terms and teacher entry form. Entry is explicitly free. The terms say results should be announced by February 12 and the celebration is provisional, rather than confirmed attendance for every entrant. StoryMaps must be accessible without a login. No later competition cycle is announced.