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International Psychology Olympiad

International Psychology Olympiad

International Psychology Olympiad (IPsyO)

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About the Program

The International Psychology Olympiad (IPsyO) is an annual online competition for high school students, running since 2021 with students from 80 countries. It is designed to introduce students to psychology as a scientific discipline and to recognize talented psychology students internationally.

For the 2027 cycle, there is no separate qualification exam. Students qualify by completing the official IPsyO Qualification Bundle on LearningFirst and earning 470+ points before June 30, 2027. Qualified students advance to the competition stage, held online in English in July 2027, which has two modules:

  • Module A: Analytical Reasoning. Students work with provided research materials to interpret evidence, evaluate arguments and reach the conclusions the material best supports.
  • Module B: Advanced Thinking. Open to the Regional Top 6 Medalists from Module A, who diagnose the underlying problem of a complex case and build an original, evidence-based response.

For 2027, eligible students graduate in 2028 or later and remain enrolled at competition time. Students register individually or through their school at ipsyo.org and need a teacher or school official advisor to verify enrollment.

The rendered 2027 timeline gives registration January 1–June 30, Module A July 10, medalist results July 21, Module B July 31 and final results August 11, 2027. Registration and 470-point qualification share the June 30 cutoff. The organizer assigns dates using Asia/Oceania GMT+8, Europe/Africa GMT+1 and Americas GMT-4, without an exact cutoff clock.

Registration itself is free, but the current instructions require a separate purchase of the official qualification bundle. The linked bundle lists $20 one-time access and also offers platform subscription access, without explicit dollar currency. The apply page and resources page still include broad free-participation/materials language; the resources page also explicitly requires purchasing the qualification bundle. No material-fee waiver or full-cost coverage was confirmed. Checked November 4, 2026.

Eligibility

For 2027, enrolled high-school/secondary/pre-collegiate students graduating in 2028 or later, worldwide. Graduates, gap-year and college students are ineligible. A teacher/school official advisor must verify academic status. Competition language is English, individual participation. Qualification requires the official paid LearningFirst bundle and 470+ points; only regional top-six Module A medalists advance to Module B.

Eligible Countries

All countries

How to Apply

The rendered 2027 timeline opens registration January 1 and closes registration/qualification June 30, 2027. Register individually or via school in EAE, obtain the separately paid official bundle and reach 470 points by the cutoff; no qualification exam. Module A July 10, results July 21; Module B for regional top-six medalists July 31; final results August 11. Dates use the organizer’s regional GMT+8 / GMT+1 / GMT-4 zones, without an exact cutoff clock. Public apply/free-materials wording still describes participation/materials as free, unlike the current mandatory-purchase instructions.