Trinity College, University of Cambridge: Gould Prize for Essays in English Literature

Each year Trinity College hold a nationwide Engish Literature competition open to all Year 12 or equivalent students. The Essay Prize is aimed to encourage talented students with an interest in English Literature to explore their reading interests, inspire applications to study English Literature and recognise the achievements of high-calibre students from whatever background they may come, as well as the achievements of those who teach them.

Candidates are invited each year to submit an essay of between 1,500 and 2,500 words on a topic to be chosen from the list of questions.

The competition carries a First Prize of £600, to be split equally between the candidate and his or her school or college, and a Second Prize of £400, which again is to be shared equally between the candidate and his or her school or college. The school or college’s portion of each prize will be issued in the form of book tokens with which to buy English books. In addition, further deserving essays of a high quality will be commended. Authors of prize-winning and highly-commended essays will be invited to visit the College.

Essays should be submitted using the online form found on the website