Challenge yourself. Shape your future today.

We invite ambitious undergraduate students to participate in our Next Generation Innovations International Student Competition. This competition encourages you to create innovative project proposals that leverage Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and/or Business to address pressing global challenges.

Your project should demonstrate how your education can be transformed into actionable solutions that create a positive impact on society.

Your Challenge

How can a STEM or Business education be utilised to solve real-world problems? Whether it’s advancing technology, enhancing environmental sustainability, improving health outcomes, or fostering community development, we want to see your creativity and ingenuity in action.

Four easy steps to participate:

Submit an application to one of our programmes at a participating centre
Complete the registration form
Select your topic from business, technology, engineering or health sciences
Submit your project proposal to internationalstudentcompetition@studygroup.com by 30^th June 2025.

Prizes

There are 3 scholarship amounts awarded* available, which can be used towards an undergraduate preparation programme at one of our International Study Centres.

1st prize:

£9,500

2nd prize:

£8,700

3rd prize: 

£8,300

^{*The final scholarship amount awarded to the competition winners is subject to the maximum scholarship offered by the student’s chosen International Study Centre (University Partner), programme and region.}

Enter now

Submit your project proposal by 30th June 2025 to be in with a chance of winning an international scholarship prize.

Complete the registration form

Participate from anywhere in the world: Virtual Participation!

You will present your proposals virtually to a panel of esteemed judges comprising academic and industry professionals. This will also be an excellent opportunity to meet industry experts and network with other like-minded innovators.

Submission Requirements:

Unleash Your Creativity and Win! In your submission for Next Generations International Innovations Student Competition where innovation meets opportunity! Whether you’re a storyteller, designer, problem-solver, or visionary, this is your chance to shine.
You can submit your ideas in any format that best expresses your vision—a thought-provoking essay, a groundbreaking prototype, a captivating advertisement, a dynamic vlog, or an engaging video presentation. The choice is yours!
No matter how you bring your ideas to life, this competition is all about originality, and impact. Submit your best work for a chance to be recognized!
Please keep in mind that busy professionals will be evaluating the entries, so we recommend keeping written submissions in English language to 3,000 words or less.

Key Components to Include:

Introduction:

Provide a clear overview of your project concept and its relevance.

Problem Statement:

Identify and articulate the specific problem your project aims to address within a STEM and/or Business context.

Key Benefits & Impact:

Provide a concise summary of the advantages and potential outcomes of your proposed solution. This competition welcomes innovative ideas across STEM and Business disciplines.

Collaboration and Partnership Strategy:

Outline a plan for building partnerships with academic institutions, industry leaders, or community organisations.

Research and Development (R&D) Strategy:

Detail your approach to the research and development phase of your project.

Below you’ll find some examples of topics by area of interest:

You are encouraged to explore a wide range of topics within STEM. Here are some areas to consider:

Environmental Technology

Innovations in renewable energy, waste management, or conservation technologies to tackle climate change.

Health Tech

Developing new technologies or approaches to improve healthcare delivery, enhance patient outcomes, or promote public health initiatives.

Engineering Solutions

Projects aimed at improving infrastructure, transportation, or urban development to enhance quality of life.

Data Science and AI

Utilising data analysis and artificial intelligence to solve social issues, improve decision-making processes, or optimise resource allocation.

Education Technology

Innovative solutions that leverage technology to improve learning experiences and accessibility in education.

Key dates

Competition launch: 6^th March 2025

Submissions deadline: 30^th June 2025

Virtual final event: 21^st July 2025

How we’ll select a winner

Our panel of judges will carefully evaluate each submission. They’ll be looking for innovative ideas with significant positive impact and strong ties to academic goals.

The top 10 finalists will be invited to an exclusive virtual competition where you will pitch your concepts in a 10-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session. Winners will be announced for first, second, and third places at this exciting event. Get ready to showcase your innovative idea and impress our judges!

Prepare for the Challenge

Are you ready to transform your education into real-world action? We look forward to your innovative proposals that showcase the power of STEM and brave business entrepreneurs in shaping a better future.

Review the judging criteria in detail:

Global impact

The extent to which the concept has the potential to contribute positively to the world, solving real issues or improving lives.

Innovation

The uniqueness of the concept, highlighting creative problem-solving and original ideas.

Presentation

The clarity, persuasiveness, and effectiveness of the presentation in conveying the concept and its merits.

Academic-concept alignment 

The clear connection between the proposed business idea and the applicant's intended field of study, demonstrating how one informs and enhances the other.

Viability

The practicality of the business proposal, including its feasibility and the likelihood of successful implementation.

Research and analysis

Depth of research and analysis supporting the proposal.

Enter the competition

Complete the registration form

Terms and conditions

Terms and conditions

Winners must meet entry requirements for their selected programme and be eligible to commence their programme between September 2026 - January 2027.
No entry fee is required.
Staff employed by Study Group and their immediate family are not eligible.
Participants must be 18 or older by 1 September 2026.

Eligibility
Students need to have submitted an application to one of our programmes at a participating centre.
Programmes include Study Group UK International Foundation Year (IFY) or International Year One (IY1) programmes* commencing between September 2026 -January 2027 at:

Dublin International Study Centre
Cardiff University International Study Centre
Durham University International Study Centre
Leeds International Study Centre for progression to University of Leeds
Royal Holloway, University of London International Study Centre
University of Huddersfield International Study Centre
University of Sheffield International College
University of Strathclyde International Study Centre
University of Surrey International Study Centre
University of Sussex International Study Centre

*Exclusions apply to progressions into Medicine and Law (Durham University) due to limited spaces.

Entry procedure

Participants must complete a registration form. Project proposal submission must be sent to: internationalstudentcompetition@studygroup.com.
Free registration with no entry fee.
Entries must be in English and follow the specified submission format.
Limited to one entry per student, asserting the work is original and not plagiarised.
Submission deadline is 30th June 2025 at 11:45 pm GTM.
Essay entries cannot exceed a 1,500-word limit.

Prizes

Scholarship awards to offset tuition for the first year at specified UK International Study Centres or Dublin International Study Centre.
Finalists will be eligible for consideration for a scholarship of varying amounts corresponding to the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place positions in the competition.
Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Scholarships are valid for programmes commencing between 1 September 2026 and 31 January 2027.
Prize must be accepted as awarded, without substitution.
Minors must obtain consent from a parent or guardian to enter.

Intellectual property

Participants retain ownership but grant the organisers a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use entries for competition and promotional purposes.
Prize winners consent to the use of their image and work for marketing activities.

Data protection

Personal information is collected solely for administering the competition and will comply with data protection laws.

Judging and decisions

Judged by a panel of academic and sector experts – decisions are final.
Prize winners will be notified within 14 days of judgment completion.

Additional terms

Study Group may disqualify entrants for entry process tampering or submission of non-compliant entries.
Rights to amend terms or cancel the competition as necessary.
Submissions are under the Study Group Privacy Policy.
Invalid entries due to incomprehensibility or incompletion are disqualified.
Study Group is not liable for entry delays or losses due to technical issues.
Dates are subject to change.