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.

Eshaan Niraj (centre), winner of the 2025 National Security Undergraduate of the Year Award

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

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!

Global Sustainability Challenge
Imperial is teaming up with the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and leading universities worldwide for the Global Sustainability Challenge – a new international competition tackling urgent environmental issues. 
 
Students will work in interdisciplinary teams, guided by expert mentors, to develop real-world solutions with global impact. This is a unique opportunity for students to collaborate across borders, build your skills, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Head to the Global Sustainability Challenge webpage for more information 
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. 

UBS Finance Challenge

Ready to test your market instincts against the best? Join UBS' annual finance challenge and showcase your analytical skills on a global stage. This year, the focus in on Equity Research and in particular how students pair their human intuition with AI tools. Competition registration closes on Tuesday 31 March.

Why sign up?

  • Compete globally: go head-to-head with some of the brightest minds out there.
  • Learn from the best: get direct, professional mentoring from UBS senior analysts.
  • Fast-track your career: compete for great prizes and secure an interview for the UBS internship programme.

Who can join?

Current bachelor's, master's or PhD students graduating between November 2027 and July 2028.

Don't miss...

The online kick-off event and pre-competition bootcamp, hosted by the UBS research team. The session is taking place on Wednesday 4 March, 18.30 - 19.30; register now!