The LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition 2026 is a free, global essay competition designed for secondary school students who want to test their economic thinking against questions written by real LSE professors. Running since 2017, it's grown into one of the largest student economics competitions in the world, drawing entrants from over 60 countries every year.

Whether you're aiming for a top economics or PPE university course or simply want to go deeper into a subject you're passionate about, this competition gives you direct exposure to cutting-edge academic questions and a real shot at prizes, certificates, and advancement to further elite challenges.

Who can participate:

• Secondary school students worldwide, particularly those graduating in 2026/2027

• Students studying Economics, or related subjects like Politics, Maths, or Business

• Anyone motivated to research and argue a position on a live economic issue

• Both first-time entrants and students building a track record in academic competitions

Competition structure:

• Choose one of five essay questions, each written by a current LSE Economics Department professor

• Topics span technology and worker wellbeing, energy economics, AI and employment, taxation and fairness, and green technology

• Write up to 1,500 words (excluding references) and submit entirely online

• No live presentation stage — entries are judged as written submissions

Awards & recognition:

• Winners: certificates and monetary prizes of up to £100

• Top performers: advancement to further, more advanced economics challenges run by the society

• All entrants: the experience of engaging directly with professor-set academic questions

Why participate:

• Answer questions written by real LSE Economics Department faculty, not a student committee

• Sharpen the kind of analytical writing top university courses look for

• Compete alongside entrants from over 60 countries worldwide

• Win certificates, cash prizes, and a route into further academic challenges

• Enter for free, entirely online, from anywhere in the world

The LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition 2026 is a strong opportunity for any secondary school student who wants to engage with real academic economics, build a standout application credential, and compete on a genuinely global stage. Submit before the deadline of September 1, 2026 at 23:59 (GMT+1) — late entries are not accepted.