UKThe FTL Essay Competition 2027 is an annual essay competition run by FTL. It is open to all students in Year 12 and covers trust, justice, power and planet questions.
The top three essay authors receive cash prizes and scholarships to help them take up their place. They also get automatic entry to FTL 2027. The prizegiving event is hosted by the Department of Philosophy, Logic, and Scientific Method at the London School of Economics.
FTL Essay Competition Benefits
- First prize: £1000 scholarship and £100 cash
- Second prize: £750 scholarship and £75 cash
- Third prize: £250 scholarship and £50 cash
- Automatic entry to FTL 2027 for the top three essay authors
- Free prizegiving event for shortlisted students and their parents
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FTL Essay Competition Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be currently studying in Year 12.
- The competition is open to all Year 12 students.
- Applicants must submit an original essay of 1,500 words based on one of the 12 published essay questions.
- Entries must be submitted by 15 February 2027.
How to Apply for FTL Essay Competition
- Write an original 1,500 word essay on one of the listed questions.
- Submit your essay by 15 February 2027.
- Submit essay via upload using the button on the page.
- Applications are accepted only through the online upload form.
Important Notes
- Students must choose one of the 12 essay questions from the following four categories:
- Trust: Should governments or companies hold the keys to user encryption? Are conspiracy theories a rational response to democratic failure? Is “AI alignment” a conceptually coherent goal?
- Justice: Is there a right to migrate? Who, if anyone, should compensate the losers of the green transition? Should younger generations continue to pay for an ageing population?
- Power: Is it still sensible to hope for a “liberal international order”? When does economic coercion become an act of war? Is it time to treat corporations like geopolitical powers?
- Planet: Is AI extinction risk a valid threat or just more marketing hype? Should governments pursue solar geoengineering? How far beyond the Earth’s atmosphere might our environmental obligations extend?
- Deadline for submissions is 15 February 2027.
- Shortlisted students and their parents will be invited to a free prizegiving event on 22 March.
Don’t miss this deadline
Applications close on Monday, 15 February 2027. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most common questions about the FTL Essay Competition 2027.
Who can enter the FTL Essay Competition?
The competition is open to all students in Year 12.
What is the deadline?
Essays must be submitted by 15 February 2027.
How long should the essay be?
Essays must be an original 1,500 word essay on one of the listed questions.
How do I submit my essay?
Submit your entry using the upload button on the competition page.
What prizes can I win?
First prize is £1000 scholarship and £100 cash. Second prize is £750 scholarship and £75 cash. Third prize is £250 scholarship and £50 cash.
What happens if I am shortlisted?
Shortlisted students and their parents will be invited to a free prizegiving event on 22 March.
How many essay questions are available?
There are 12 essay questions divided into four categories: Trust, Justice, Power and Planet.
Is there an entry fee?
The official competition page does not specify whether an entry fee is required.
Can applicants choose their own essay topic?
Applicants must choose one of the 12 questions published on the official competition website.
What additional benefits will the top three essay writers receive?
The authors of the top three essays will receive automatic entry to FTL 2027, a cash prize and a scholarship to help them take up their place.
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