Guide to Economics Essay Competitions

A shortlisted competition essay gives a clear answer to the question, backs it with evidence and your own view, and often adds something other entrants could not. This guide takes you through every stage in plain steps.

Written by a first-class Cambridge Economics graduate who prepares applicants for economics courses.

What's inside:

Introduction – What essay competitions are, the skills they build, and what entering and winning are worth.

How to win – What a top answer looks like, and the method in one page.

Part 1 – Picking competitions: which to enter, and how many.

Part 2 – The topic, then the question: choosing a topic you can add something to, then making sure you understand the question.

Part 3 – Research and claim, in a loop: understanding the main arguments, finding reliable sources and the most-cited papers, and testing your claim against the evidence that could disprove it.

Part 4 – Building the argument: a thesis statement, your three strongest arguments, and the condition your answer depends on.

Part 5 – Structuring the essay: one simple structure, with word budgets for 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 words.

Part 6 – Writing it: introductions, PEEL paragraphs, counter-arguments, conclusions and referencing.

Part 7 – Editing and checking: common problems and how to fix them, and each competition's rules on help and AI.

Part 8 – Defending and using the essay: talking about it at interview and in your personal statement.

Part 9 – The five competitions: John Locke Global Essay Prize, Marshall Society, RES Young Economist of the Year, Fitzwilliam College and CSEP.

Appendices – Templates, a compliance checklist for each competition, a reading ladder, worked examples, a glossary and other essay structures.

One worked essay runs through every stage. All examples use invented questions. The guide never plans or answers a competition's current question.

139 pages, PDF, instant download. Included with the Econ Coaching Essay Competition Pack.