The Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition (formerly Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition)
Royal Commonwealth Society
The world's oldest international schools' writing competition (since 1883), free to enter for Commonwealth nationals or residents aged 18 or under, including Ghanaians. Relaunched in 2026 with five regional winners invited to London. 2026 entries closed 30 April.
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Eligibility
- Who can apply
- Commonwealth
- Education required
- None
- Age
- up to 18 (18 or under on the closing date (30 April in 2026))
- Fields
- Arts humanities
- Language
- Entries in English (under 1,000 words)
- Residency
- Commonwealth national or resident
- Also required
- One written piece under 1,000 words answering one of the official questions for the year
- Submit via the official online entry form
About this opportunity
Run by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883, the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition was rebranded in 2026 as the Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition (QCWC) with 'a more inclusive, regional approach': each of the Commonwealth's five regions (including Africa) has a dedicated winner, from whom an overall winner is drawn; winners are invited to an awards event in London and all entrants receive certificates. Entries may now range 'from essays to poetry, storytelling, and beyond'.
The 2026 competition was open to 'all Commonwealth nationals or residents 18 or under on the 30th of April 2026'; entrants submitted one piece under 1,000 words answering an official question on the theme 'Common Ground: Better Together' via the online form. Entries opened 4 March and closed 30 April 2026. Ghana is a Commonwealth member, so pupils in primary, JHS and SHS are eligible.
- Level
- Secondary
- Where
- Online
- Number of awards
- 5 regional winners (one overall winner) in 2026; certificates for all entrants
- Difficulty
- Medium · about 2 weeks to prepare
Funding
Prize
- travel
Free to enter. Winners are invited to an awards event in London; all entrants receive certificates. No cash prize published.
What you will need
- Essays
Single written piece (essay, poem, story etc.) under 1,000 words plus entry form details.
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