“Without an architecture of our own, we have no soul of our own civilization." (Frank Lloyd Wright) What role does architecture play in shaping the society we live in?

What is the role of biologists in resolving global challenges today?

Originality is an overrated concept. Discuss in relation to any classical literature you have read.

What will be the most significant impact of AI on the computing world?

"There is too much mathematics and too little history in the study of economics today." Discuss.

"Grief brought to numbers cannot be so fierce; for he tames it that fetters it in verse." (John Donne) Discuss the relationship between form and feeling in literature.

What will be the most significant change in the engineering world in the next ten years?

What is the relevance of physical geography to human geography?

How should the British Empire be remembered?

Discuss a law you would like to introduce or amend in the future.

Is mathematics a human invention or a discovery about the nature of the universe? Discuss how this relationship impacts our understanding of physical laws.

Who should be concerned about the potential legalisation of euthanasia, and why?

“Writers make national literature; translators make universal literature.” (José Saramago) Discuss.

Writing about music is like dancing about architecture. Discuss.

We can understand the concept of justice in multiple ways. John Rawls argued that justice is “the first virtue of social institutions.” What are the advantages and limitations of this view?

"I, at any rate, am convinced that [God] does not throw dice." [Jedenfalls bin ich überzeugt, daß der nicht würfelt] (Albert Einstein) Discuss how the probabilistic elements in quantum theory challenge or support deterministic interpretations of the universe

Should the UK adopt citizens’ assemblies?

“Language is a property of the human species, both unique to humans and universal among them.” Do you agree with this statement?

Practice and ritual, in reality, constitute religious identity more than belief or ethics. Discuss.

Strict 1,000 word limit

Where relevant, students should include references and a bibliography (excl from word count)

Each entry should be the student’s individual work and, whilst not prohibited, any use of generative AI such as ChatGPT must be declared at the point of submission

Judges will not give detailed feedback on entries

Admissions service prizes are not exchangeable for money