The Big Think Competition 2024

Do our genes define who we are?

Is Shakespeare better than Taylor Swift (or any modern artist)?

Is online anonymity a threat to democracy?

Is there such a thing as an untranslatable word?

St Edmund Hall is pleased to announce that the Big Think Competition is returning for 2024!

Every year, we invite state school students aged 15 to 18 from across the UK to tackle one of our ‘big’, tutorial-style questions. Set by academics at St Edmund Hall, the questions are designed to challenge students beyond the normal school curriculum, as well as introduce the subject at university level and provide students with a supercurricular opportunity for their personal statement.

To enter, students must submit a video of five minutes or less answering their question of choice. Judging will be based on engagement with the question, not a flair for graphic design.

With a record number of subjects on offer, covering almost all subjects available at undergraduate level, there is a big question to suit everyone. The competition is now open, with deadline for entry on Wednesday 1 May – so get thinking big!

To find out more about the competition, including the full list of questions and how to take part, please visit seh.ac/bigthink.