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.

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

Accuracy Business Cup

The Accuracy Business Cup, or ABC, is an international student competition giving you the opportunity to work on financial and strategic business cases. During the competition, you will work under the supervision of Accuracy consultants and present your recommendations to the leaders of a major listed company.

In order to join the competition, you need to form a group of three candidates. The first stage of the competition will take place in two rounds in the country in which you applied. Winners of each national stage will go up against each other during the international final, held in front of a prestigious jury.

The competition welcomes all students enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, with no more than 2 years of cumulated professional experience.

Register before January 2025!

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!

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. 

Siemens Immersive Design Challenge

Siemens and Sony are challenging teams of students to imagine how they would use immersive design with the Sony XR head-mounted display to make a product of their choice more sustainable. The product can be something that they are already working on (personally or in class) or something completely new.

Round 1 is now open! Register and submit your idea before 17.00 on Friday 20 December.

For more information, please visit the Immersive Design Challenge website.

Society of Chemical Industry Bright SCIdea Challenge

Entries for the Society of Chemical Industry's annual scientific entrepreneurship challenge are now open!

The Bright SCIdea Challenge invites teams of STEM undergraduate, masters, and PhD students to develop a science-based idea with a benefit to society. The registration for this closes on 13 November 2024. This is a great chance for students to boost their employability by learning and developing business skills. 

 Participants Will:

  • Attend free, exclusive, accredited online business training workshops
  • Enhance their CVs and network with industry experts.
  • Have the opportunity to pitch their idea on 18 March 2025 in Belgrave Square, London.
  • Compete for a £5,000 cash prize!
targetjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards

The targetjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards is an annual competition aimed at finding the best undergraduates in the UK. There are 12 awards, each partnered by an employer who provides a fantastic prize for the winner, which could include a paid internship, a trip abroad or other exclusive opportunities.

Applications have now closed for this academic year. Please check back in the Autumn Term for the new round of awards.