Challenge yourself. Shape your future today.

We’re looking for ambitious future undergraduate students to take part in our competition. Create a project proposal and show us how your international education can help you make a difference. You could tackle a major world problem, bring innovation, or help your local community. How do you plan to transform your education into real-world action? Are you ready for the challenge?

Finalists will enjoy a sponsored trip to Malaysia. You’ll present your ideas at this prestigious event. It’s a great opportunity to meet other finalists and our expert judging panel of academic and business professionals.

Three easy steps to participate

Complete the registration form.
Select your topic from engineering, health sciences, or business.
Submit a 5,000-word project proposal to internationalstudentcompetition@studygroup.com before 30 June 2024.

Prizes

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

1st prize:

£8,000

2nd prize:

£7,000

3rd prize: 

£6,000

Enter now

Submit your project proposal by 30th June 2024 to be in with a chance of winning an international scholarship prize.

Complete the registration form

Guidelines for writing your project proposal

There is no limitation on the theme or type of project proposal. Applicants are encouraged to be creative. However, proposals must be written in English, less than 5,000 words and submitted in PDF format. Applicants should also aim to include the following:

Introduction - Provide an overview of the concept.
Problem statement - Explanation of the issue the concept aims to solve.
Value proposition - A summary of the benefits of the proposed product, service or solution.
High level sales and marketing strategy - A high-level plan to engage customers/consumers.
Growth strategy - Identify potential challenges in the future and how to overcome them to adapt and grow the concept.
Closing remarks - A conclusion including how the concept effectively solves a problem and the expected outcome or impact of implementation.

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

Science and Technology

Environmental sustainability: Southeast Asia faces challenges related to deforestation, air and water pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Example focus: solutions for sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, and conservation efforts. 

Business

Economic development in the era of the digital economy: While ASEAN countries have experienced rapid economic growth, disparities persist.

Example focus: innovative business models for inclusive growth and/or strategies promoting digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

Health Sciences

Mental health: Mental health issues are increasingly recognised as a significant concern in ASEAN countries.

Example focus: Developing innovative approaches to mental health care delivery, destigmatising mental illness, or leveraging technology for mental health support.

Key dates

Competition launch: 22 April 2024

Submissions deadline: 30June 2024

In-person final event: July 2024

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 on a sponsored trip to the exclusive finals event in Malaysia. You’ll pitch your business 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!

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

Winners must meet entry requirements for their selected programme and be eligible to commence their programme between September 2024-January 2025.
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 2024.

Eligibility

Open to students from international schools, located in the ASEAN countries, intending to apply for an undergraduate degree or programme at the universities or International Study Centres specified below:

Study Group UK International Foundation Year (IFY) or International Year One (IY1) programmes* commencing between September 2024-January 2025 at:

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

*Exclusions apply to progressions into Medicine, Law (Durham University), and IY1 Business Management (University of Leeds) 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.
Registration period is from 22 April 2024. Submission deadline is 30 June 2024 at 11:45 pm Singapore time.
Entries cannot exceed a 5,000-word limit.

Prizes

Scholarship awards to offset tuition for the first year at specified UK International Study Centres.
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 2024 and 31 January 2025.
Prize must be accepted as awarded, without substitution.
Minors must gain consent from a parent or guardian to enter and, if a finalist, to travel for finals.

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.