International economics essay competitions offer high school students an opportunity to develop critical thinking, research, and academic writing skills while strengthening their college applications. In this article, Aralia introduces six prestigious economics essay competitions for high school students, covering eligibility, timelines, awards, competitiveness, and guidance on choosing the right competition based on each student’s experience and skill level.
Through these competitions, students demonstrate not only their understanding of economics but also their ability to conduct independent research, analyze data, build well-supported arguments, and connect economic theory to real-world issues. These are exactly the skills that leading universities such as Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, the London School of Economics (LSE), and other Ivy League institutions highly value.
If you’re looking for an academic opportunity that will both sharpen your skills and make your college application stand out, here are six economics essay competitions worth considering.
1. Marshall Society Essay Competition
The Marshall Society Essay Competition is an annual essay contest organized by the Marshall Society, the economics society at the University of Cambridge. The competition encourages high school students to explore economic ideas beyond the standard secondary school curriculum.
Essay prompts typically focus on fundamental topics in economics, including:
- Market Failure
- Economic Growth
- Income Inequality
- International Trade
- Public Policy
The competition challenges participants to engage with long-standing debates in economics. These essay questions often draw on areas such as behavioral economics, econometrics, psychology, and the philosophy of science. Success requires students to synthesize perspectives from different schools of economic thought, evaluate empirical evidence, and construct well-reasoned arguments that address competing viewpoints.
Deadline: August 30, 2026
Awards
- First Prize: £100
- Finalists: £50
- Commendations for outstanding essays
Winning and highly commended essays are published in the Marshall Society’s annual publication, The Dismal Scientist.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/marshallsociety/?hl=en
Competition Guide: Guide to the Marshall Society Essay Competition
85% of Aralia Students Place in Top Writing Competitions
2. LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition
The LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition is organized by the LSESU Economics Society, the largest academic society at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), with support from the university’s Department of Economics. The competition is open to students in Grades 9–12.
Each year, the competition features essay prompts centered on contemporary global economic issues, encouraging students to apply economic theories and models to real-world challenges. Strong submissions go beyond demonstrating theoretical knowledge; they also show a student’s ability to analyze data effectively, incorporate credible academic sources, and evaluate multiple perspectives, and build a clear, evidence-based argument
Timeline
- Submission Deadline: September 1, 2026
- Results Announcement: October 2026
Awards
The top three essays for each prompt receive:
- A certificate of achievement
- Cash prizes
- Special awards
Website: https://lsesueconsoc.org/the-essay-competition/
Competition Guide: Comprehensive Guide to the LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition
3. Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association High School International Economics Essay Competition (HIEEC)
The Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association High School International Economics Essay Competition (HIEEC) is an international essay competition for high school students in Grades 9–12, organized by the Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association (HUEA). Compared with many other economics essay competitions, HIEEC is particularly rigorous and places a strong emphasis on applying economic theory to analyze real-world issues.
Participants choose one of the official essay prompts provided by the organizers and write a 1,500-word essay that combines economic concepts with evidence, data, and academic sources to develop a well-supported argument. Judges look for essays that demonstrate in-depth analysis, effective use of data, credible research, and logical reasoning rather than simply expressing personal opinions.
Winning essays are published on the competition’s official website, giving students an opportunity to showcase their work to a wider academic audience.
Timeline
- Essay Prompts Released: October 2026
- Submission Deadline: January 2027
- Final Round: Mid-March 2027
- Winners Announced: Late March 2027
Website: https://www.thehuea.org/general-8
Exclusive Guide to Harvard International Economics Essay Competition (HIEEC) 2026
4. John Locke Essay Competition – Economics Category
The John Locke Essay Competition is widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious essay competitions for high school students. Organized by the John Locke Institute, the competition features judges and academic contributors from leading universities, including the University of Oxford, Princeton University, Brown University, and the University of Buckingham. It is open to students under the age of 19 worldwide, with a dedicated Junior category for students under 14.
The Economics category challenges students to go beyond demonstrating theoretical knowledge. Successful essays critically examine complex economic issues from multiple perspectives, evaluate competing arguments, develop original insights, and support conclusions with credible academic evidence.
The competition is highly selective and attracts some of the strongest student writers from around the world. Many prize winners have gone on to attend top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Ivy League institutions. More importantly, participating in the competition helps students strengthen their research, analytical, and critical thinking skills while adding a significant academic achievement to their college applications.
Timeline
- Registration: February 2 – March 31, 2026
- Essay Submission: April 1 – May 31, 2026
- Late Submission: June 7 – June 21, 2026 (late fee applies)
- Awards Ceremony: October 3, 2026
Website: https://www.johnlockeinstitute.com/essay-competition
5. Scholar of Tomorrow Essay Competition – Economics Category
The Scholar of Tomorrow (SoT) Essay Competition is organized by a nonprofit academic organization dedicated to building a global research community for high school students. Its academic advisory board includes professors and researchers from leading universities such as Harvard University and the University of Oxford. The competition is open to students in Grades 9–12 from around the world.
One of the competition’s distinguishing features is its focus on timely, thought-provoking global issues. For the 2026 Economics category, students are asked to respond to the following prompt:
“To what extent are modern economies shaped by networks rather than markets? In a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence, will human connections become more or less economically important?”
Participants must submit an essay of up to 1,500 words that presents a well-reasoned response supported by economic theory, evidence, and critical analysis.
Timeline
- Submission Opens: July 1, 2026
- Submission Deadline: September 1, 2026
- Winners Announced: Mid-October 2026
Awards
- First Prize: $100
- Second Prize: $50
- Third Prize: $30
- Honorable Mention
Website: https://www.scholaroftomorrow.org/2025-essay-competition
6. Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest
Unlike competitions that focus exclusively on economics, the Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest (HIR Academic Writing Contest) encourages students to explore global issues through an interdisciplinary lens. The competition is open to students in Grades 7–12 worldwide, with students in Grades 7–8 competing in the Junior category.
Students who choose economics-related topics can combine economic concepts with fields such as politics, technology, international relations, or public policy to develop a research-based essay. This interdisciplinary approach allows participants to examine complex global challenges from multiple perspectives.
A unique feature of the competition is the HIR Defense Day. Finalists are invited to defend their research virtually before a panel of judges through a presentation and an academic Q&A session lasting approximately 15 minutes. This final round helps students further develop essential skills in presenting research, defending their arguments, and responding to academic questions.
2026 Competition Timeline
Season | Submission Deadline | Defense Day |
Spring | 31/05/2026 | 29/06/2026 |
Summer | 31/08/2026 | 05/10/2026 |
Fall/Winter | 02/01/2027 | 05/02/2027 |
Website: https://hir.harvard.edu/contest/
Aralia Students Are 4x More Likely to Publish a Research Paper
Which Competition Is Right for You?
When choosing an economics essay competition, students should not focus solely on the reputation of the organizing institution. Instead, they should consider their academic goals, current skill level, and preparation experience.
Some key factors to consider include:
- Background in Economics: Students should evaluate their current understanding of economics before choosing a competition. Those who have not studied AP, IB, or A-Level Economics may want to begin with competitions that feature broader topics and require a more accessible level of research, such as the LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition.
- Research Skills: Competitions such as HIEEC and the John Locke Essay Competition require students to independently find, evaluate, and cite reliable academic sources. Strong submissions typically demonstrate the ability to analyze evidence, incorporate research, and develop well-supported arguments.
- Academic Writing Ability: Most essay competitions require students to write using an academic style, with clear arguments, logical structure, and proper citations. Students should be comfortable expressing complex ideas and supporting their viewpoints through evidence.
- Preparation Time: A high-quality essay often requires several weeks or even months of preparation. Students need sufficient time to research background materials, develop their arguments, create an outline, write multiple drafts, revise, and polish the final submission.
Below is a reference table comparing the academic difficulty and competitiveness of each competition to help students make a more informed choice:
Level | Suitable for |
Beginner | LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest |
Intermediate | Scholar of Tomorrow Essay Competition |
Advanced | Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association High School International Economics Essay Competition (HIEEC) Marshall Society Essay Competition |
Highly Competitive | John Locke Essay Competition (Economics) |
Participating in a competition that matches your current abilities and dedicating sufficient time to preparation will bring greater value than entering multiple competitions without the time to develop strong submissions. Before choosing a competition, students should carefully review the essay prompts and requirements to determine whether the topics align with their academic background, interests, and level of expertise.
International economics essay competitions are not only opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge but also valuable platforms for developing essential skills for university, including research, critical thinking, data analysis, and academic writing. More importantly, the preparation process often provides lasting benefits beyond the final award. By reading academic literature, analyzing contemporary economic issues, and building evidence-based arguments, students develop the intellectual foundation needed to succeed in an international university environment.
Prepare for Economics Essay Competitions with University Professors
Aralia’s international essay competition preparation programs are led by professors and instructors from top universities and boarding schools in the United States. With expertise in economics and academic research, these instructors help students deepen their understanding of economic concepts, learn effective research methodologies, identify high-quality academic resources, and craft compelling essays that improve their chances of success in prestigious competitions.
Aralia students have earned hundreds of awards in renowned competitions, including the John Locke Essay Competition, Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest, LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition, and Scholar of Tomorrow Essay Competition. Contact Aralia to learn more about economics essay competition preparation programs with leading instructors.
LSESU Essay Competition Preparation
LSESU Essay Competition Preparation course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this prestigious competition. Through a series of interactive lessons, expert guidance, and practical exercises, participants will develop a deep understanding of economic concepts and enhance their essay writing abilities.
Scholar of Tomorrow Essay Competition Preparation
This course will guide students in preparing for the Scholar of Tomorrow Essay Competition, discussing tips on award-winning strategies. This class uses a one-on-one teaching model, aiming to help students polish their entries before submission.
HIR Academic Writing Contest Prep
Prepare for the Harvard International Review Academic Writing Contest with an advanced global affairs course designed to help students craft a standout 800–1,200-word academic essay. Through expert instruction, analytical training, and hands-on writing workshops, students develop critical thinking and research skills.
