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St John's College Essay Competition

  • Writer: TOG
    TOG
  • Feb 19, 2017
  • 1 min read

Calling all Year 12s: St John's College Annual Essay Competition.

Are you a year 12 student (or equivalent) in the UK with a flare for essay writing? Are you interested in Classics and Ancient History?

Then get your skates on this weekend and you could be in with a chance of winning £125 in book tokens and, best of all, every entrant is invited to spend a study afternoon at the stunning St John’s College.

Submission

Essays should be submitted by email to acccess@sjc.ox.ac.uk with a cover sheet.

Alternatively they can be posted with a cover sheet to Classics Essay Competition, College Office, St John’s College, Oxford, OX1 3JP.

Deadline

The deadline is 4:00pm on Thursday 23rd February

For more details check out: https://www.sjc.ox.ac.uk/study/working-schools/study-days/essay-competition/

Top Tips

• You may well find that the classical and ancient world wets your intellectual appetite and if so, St John’s offers courses in Classics & Joint Schools, Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, and History (Ancient and Modern). They welcome applications from students with and without prior experience of studying the ancient world.

• Getting to spend a study afternoon at St John's is a huge perk of the competition. This will really help you to see if studying at Oxford could be for you.

5 Comments


Khushboo Magnani
Khushboo Magnani
Dec 23, 2025
This is a fantastic opportunity for Year 12 students with an interest in Classics and Ancient History to challenge themselves and gain early exposure to university-style learning. Essay competitions like this really help students build confidence, critical thinking, and academic writing skills ahead of higher education. At GraddingHomes, we often support students planning to study abroad or in the UK by guiding them through course and university choices, along with helping them find comfortable student accommodation in Exeter, so they can focus fully on academic growth. Thanks for sharing such a valuable opportunity.

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Nikita Masih
Nikita Masih
Dec 19, 2025

Great post! I really enjoyed learning about the St John’s College essay competition and how it encourages Year 12 students to dive deeper into classics and independent research — sounds like such a valuable opportunity!

That Oxford Girl


As someone who’s also preparing for English proficiency exams, I found this inspiring study-focused environment really motivating. If anyone is balancing exam prep alongside competitions like this, I highly recommend scheduling regular TOEFL mock test sessions and IELTS reading practice test materials into your routine — they’re excellent for building vocabulary and reading skills that help across academic writing and comprehension.


Thanks for sharing these useful insights!

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Tanushree sharma
Tanushree sharma
Dec 18, 2025

Excited to participate in the St John's College Essay Competition! As an aspiring writer, I’m also seeking guidance to improve my English skills. An experienced IELTS mentor can provide valuable tips to enhance writing and achieve higher scores.

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Vishvajeet
Vishvajeet
Dec 15, 2025

Essay competitions like the St John’s College Essay Competition are an excellent opportunity for students considering study abroad, especially in the UK. They not only help sharpen academic writing and critical thinking skills but also give students early exposure to the expectations of world-renowned universities like Oxford. Participating in such competitions can strengthen university applications and boost confidence by allowing students to engage deeply with their subject interests while experiencing academic life firsthand.

For students who take the next step and plan to study in the UK, practical arrangements are just as important as academic preparation. Finding safe, comfortable, and well-located student accommodation in Oxford plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth transition to university life. The right accommodation supports…

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Vanshika Khandelwal
Vanshika Khandelwal
Dec 15, 2025

The St John's College Essay Competition is a prestigious opportunity for students to showcase their analytical and writing skills on thought-provoking topics. Participating in such competitions not only strengthens your academic profile but also gives you a taste of the intellectual rigor at top universities. If you are considering applying to institutions like Oxford, it’s wise to plan ahead financially as well, including understanding the University of Oxford fees in rupees to prepare for tuition and other expenses.

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