Originally launched in 2020 as a partnership between Tom Rocks Maths and St Edmund Hall, the competition aims to provide the participants with the opportunity to communicate complex ideas in an understandable manner, and to encourage them to engage with maths beyond any curriculum.
Competition Details
There are no eligibility requirements, all you need is a passion for maths and a flair for writing to participate! The closing date is 11:59pm on Monday 13 April 2026. Entries are now closed.
There are two strands of entry:
- Student (aged 17 and under)
- Adult (aged 18 and above)
Please note: A ‘student’ is defined as anyone who is still studying full-time at school or college, university students fall into the ‘adult’’ category.
Unlike previous years, for the 2026 competition there is a maximum word limit of 2000 words. There is no minimum length, but as a guideline 1000-2000 words is sufficient. All entries must be submitted using the online form as a PDF document (Microsoft Word documents can no longer be accepted).
The winners will be selected by Dr Tom Crawford, Public Engagement Lead and Departmental Lecturer, and the creator of the award-winning ’Tom Rocks Maths’. All entries will be published on the Tom Rocks Maths website as part of the essay showcase. The winner of the Student category will receive a cash prize of £100 and the winner from the Adult category will receive a free place on one of our Short Online Courses. Good luck!
