Oxford University Maths Essay Competition 2026 - OPEN TO ALL

Competition Overview

• 💡 The Tom Rocks Maths essay competition for 2026 is officially open for entries, supported by Oxford Lifelong Learning.
• 🎯 The competition invites participants to explain their favorite mathematical topic to a non-specialist audience.
• ✅ There are no eligibility requirements based on age, mathematical ability, or location, making it accessible to everyone.

Submission Guidelines

• 📝 Entries are divided into two categories: Adult (18 or older) and Student (17 or under) at the time of submission.
• 🗓️ The deadline for all submissions is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026.
• ⚠️ New rules for 2026 include a maximum word limit of 2,000 words (with a guideline of 1,000 words) and all entries must be submitted as PDF documents via the online form.
• 🚫 Essays must be the participant's own work, with strict rules against plagiarism and the use of AI.

Judging Criteria

• ✨ Winning essays are typically fun and entertaining to read, written in an informal manner rather than a typical academic style.
• 🧠 Submissions should teach the judge something new or offer a different perspective on an existing mathematical concept, aiming for an "aha moment."

Prizes and Recognition

• 💰 The student winner will receive a £100 cash prize and have their essay published on the University website.
• 🎓 The adult winner will receive free registration to a Short Online Course at Oxford Lifelong Learning, along with publication on the University website.
• 🌐 All submitted essays will be published on tomrocksmaths.com as part of an essay showcase during the summer months.

Inspiration and Resources

• 📚 Participants can find inspiration from past entries on tomrocksmaths.com, including previous winners.
• 🎥 Examples of potential topics include classical problems like the Kissing Coins Problem, mind-bending concepts like Klein Bottles, advanced topics like Ramsey Theory, or puzzles such as the Hydra Game.
• 🚀 Past successful entries have even led to popular YouTube channels, demonstrating the potential impact of the competition.