Julia Wood History Essay Competition
by St Hugh's College, University of Oxford
The Julia Wood History Essay Competition is a St Hugh's College Sixth Form essay competition for students submitting an independently chosen history essay.
Julia Wood History Essay Competition
by St Hugh's College, University of Oxford
The Julia Wood History Essay Competition is a St Hugh's College Sixth Form essay competition for students submitting an independently chosen history essay.
TL;DR
Run by St Hugh's College, University of Oxford, the Julia Wood History Essay Competition is an online essay competition for students studying at Sixth Form level or equivalent, including eligible gap year students who have not undertaken additional formal education beyond Sixth Form. Entrants submit a 2000-4000 word history essay on a topic of their choice, with clear academic references and a bibliography. The competition awards winner and runner-up recognition, and St Hugh's notes that since the competition was established in 1994, 81 school students have received prizes, with many going on to study History at Oxford and St Hugh's. Applications are submitted through the official Julia Wood essay upload form, with the 2026 round closing at 2pm BST on Wednesday 22 July 2026.
What is Julia Wood History Essay Competition?
Run by St Hugh's College, University of Oxford, the Julia Wood History Essay Competition is for students at Sixth Form level, including eligible gap year students who have not begun further formal study. The 2026 round closes at 2pm BST on Wednesday 22 July 2026. Essays should be 2000-4000 words, use clear academic referencing, and may be on a topic chosen by the entrant.
Who should consider this?
Best for
Students studying at Sixth Form level or equivalent are eligible. Gap year students are eligible if they have not undertaken additional formal education beyond Sixth Form level. Students who are not yet studying at Sixth Form level are not eligible. Students who have already begun university level study are not eligible.
Not ideal if
Key dates and deadlines
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | |
|---|---|---|---|
Application Deadline | 22 Jul 2026 | Europe/London | Track |
Eligibility and requirements
- Students studying at Sixth Form level or equivalent are eligible. Gap year students are eligible if they have not undertaken additional formal education beyond Sixth Form level. Students who are not yet studying at Sixth Form level are not eligible. Students who have already begun university level study are not eligible.
Cost, funding, and what's included
Entry cost
Free
How to apply
- 1
Submit through the official Julia Wood essay upload form by 2pm BST on Wednesday 22 July 2026.
Submission requirements
- Essays should be 2000-4000 words. The word count includes additional commentary or content in footnotes and figure or image captions, but excludes the bibliography and references or citations in footnotes. Entrants should clearly reference material used to support their arguments and provide full source details.