The Lyceum Essay Prize 2026

Recognising excellence in critical thought and scholarly writing

About Our Essay Prize

We are delighted to announce the launch of The Lyceum Essay Prize, an exciting opportunity for students aged 16–17 years old to engage critically with some of the most important questions in philosophy, politics, and theology. Designed to encourage independent thought, clarity of argument, and intellectual creativity, the competition invites entrants to submit essays of up to 2,000 words on set titles to be released later this year. Submissions will be judged by Dr Max Baker-Hytch, Tutorial Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Oxford, with winners recognised at an online prize ceremony on Friday, 10th April 2026.

The Examiner

Dr. Max Baker-Hytch is a Tutorial Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Oxford. He received his DPhil (PhD) in Philosophy from Oxford in 2014, following which he held postdoctoral research fellowships at both Oxford (2014–15) and the University of Notre Dame (2015–16). Since joining Oxford in 2016, he has taught courses across epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and theology.

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person inside cathedral

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the essay prize?

The essay prize is a competition that rewards outstanding essays on specified topics.

Who can participate?

Participation is open to all students and individuals interested in essay writing.

How do I submit?

Submissions can be made online through our dedicated essay prize submission portal before the deadline.

What are the prizes?

Prizes include cash awards, certificates, and publication opportunities for winning essays.

When is the deadline?

The deadline for submissions is typically announced on our website and varies each year.

Can I submit multiple essays?

Yes, participants are encouraged to submit multiple essays as long as they meet the guidelines.

Essay Prize

Explore our annual essay competition with exciting rewards.

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a piece of paper with writing on it
Submission Details

Learn about the submission guidelines and deadlines.

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a man standing in front of a microphone
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white printer paper on brown wooden table
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a man in a suit and tie posing for a picture
Prize Winners

Discover past winners and their outstanding essays.

Contact Us

For inquiries about our essay prize, please reach out through the contact form or the provided email.

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Get in Touch

We'd love to hear from you! Please fill out the form or find our contact details below.

Contact

The Thought Academy Ltd

Company number 16417589

Address 124 City Road, London, United Kingdom, EC1V 2NX

Email info@thethoughtacademy.com