RGS / FT Essay Competition

Another annual competition organised by the RGS has now been launched for 2026: the Financial Times Essay competition.

The 2026 School Essay Competition, organised in partnership with the Financial Times, invites students to answer the following question:

What factors drive migration, how are patterns shifting and what are the consequences?

Please include changes resulting from climatic factors and post-2020 geopolitics in your answer.

You can submit your essay at any time before the deadline. Seach FT.com for the latest news to help with your essay. You can also use other sources.

Examples at the time of the competition launch include the following, but you should use these links alongside additional sources you have found yourself.

5 maps that will change the way you see the world
Europe braces for Middle East migration surge
Has Europe learnt to manage migration?
Linking aid and migration policies a ‘sea change’, says IOM head
OECD reports sharp fall in work-related migration to rich countries
What happens if the UK and US reach net zero (migration)?
FT.com keyword search ‘migration’

What the judges are looking for

A clear essay or ArcGIS StoryMap that is well-evidenced and reaches a clear conclusion
Submissions that do not exceed 1,000 words (excluding the title and references) – submissions over 1,000 words will not be considered. 

The word count must be provided in the document.

Referenced sources of information and data, including the FT
Submissions which are the entrant’s own work and relevant to the question and guidance

You must check that you meet the geography study requirements outlined in the terms and conditions before you enter.

Entries must be received by Monday 9 November 2026 at 5.00pm GMT.

Good luck!