The Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition 2026
Eligible Classes
Class 1–12
Entry Fee
Free
Deadline
30 Apr 2026
Exam/Event Date
August/September 2026
Mode
Online submission
Level
International
About this competition
The world’s oldest international writing competition for schools (est. 1883). The 2026 theme is "Common Ground: Better Together", inviting young people to explore what unites the 2.5 billion citizens of the Commonwealth through essays, poems, stories, or scripts.
Open to all school-aged students. While previously split into Junior/Senior, the 2026 reimagined format now uses one unified age category (under 18) but still maintains different word count expectations and prompts suitable for different ages.
Important dates
How to apply — step by step
Select one prompt from the five key areas: Sport & Community, Culture, Environment, Shared Identity, or Language.
Write a piece (max 1,000 words) in English.
Ensure no personal details (name/school) are inside the document itself.
Submit via the online portal as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf.
32 days
left to apply • 30 Apr 2026
Verified link • opens official site
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