If you enjoy looking at the world through the lens of data, policy, and human behavior, economics is the ultimate toolkit. The LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition offers high school students a rare opportunity to tackle complex, real-world problems and have their ideas judged by some of the greatest minds in the field.
What is it?
The LSESU Economics Society Essay Competition (also known as the LSEEC) is a highly prestigious, global academic writing contest. It is officially hosted by the Economics Society at the London School of Economics (LSE)—the largest and most influential student society at the university, fully backed by the LSE Department of Economics.
What makes this competition truly unique is the pedigree of the questions. The essay prompts are set directly by renowned LSE professors, including Nobel Laureates and leading global economists. Writing a winning essay here doesn’t just look incredible on a university application; it proves you can handle rigorous, undergraduate-level economic analysis.
Official Website: https://en.lseec.org.cn/
Who is it for?
This competition is designed to bridge the gap between high school textbooks and university-level economics, and it is completely free to enter.
- Grade Level: It is open to all secondary (high school) students worldwide. It is highly recommended for students in their final or penultimate year of high school (e.g., the Class of 2026 or 2027), as well as those taking a gap year before entering university.
- Team Size: Individual participation only. You must research and write the essay completely on your own.
- Prerequisites: You do not technically need to be taking an economics class at school to enter, but your essay must be heavily rooted in sound economic theory and reasoning.
What are the Categories?
Instead of picking your own topic, you must choose to answer one of the official prompts released for that year. The prompts are designed to address the most pressing issues in the modern global economy.
While the specific questions change every year, they typically cover a mix of macroeconomics, microeconomics, and applied mathematics. Recent themes have included:
- Technology & Worker Wellbeing
- Artificial Intelligence & Employment
- Energy & Economics
- Inequality and Wealth Distribution
- Monetary Policy and Financial Markets
How to Participate
- Pick Your Prompt: Review the official questions set by the LSE professors and select the one where you can build the strongest, most evidence-based argument.
- Research and Write: Draft your essay. You have a strict maximum limit of 1,500 words (excluding your bibliography and in-text citations).
- Format Correctly: Ensure your essay is written in English, clearly formatted (usually Times New Roman, size 12), and heavily supported by data. You are encouraged to use figures and diagrams if they support your argument. You must cite your sources using a standard style like Harvard or MLA.
- Submit Online: Submit your essay for free through the official competition portal before the deadline. (Note: All essays are run through Turnitin, and any use of AI-generated content or plagiarism results in immediate disqualification).
How to Win
With thousands of global entries, your essay needs to be more than just a summary of an economic concept. The judges evaluate submissions on four key criteria:
- Originality: Don’t just repeat standard textbook answers. Judges look for independent thought and limited reliance on easily available, basic arguments.
- Quality of Argument: Your logic must be flawless. A winning essay considers potential weaknesses or counterarguments to its own thesis and effectively dismantles them.
- Strength of Evidence: Opinions don’t win economics competitions—data does. You must use strong, highly relevant evidence and cite it clearly.
- Writing Quality: The essay must be concise, easy to read, and correctly use technical economic terminology without relying on empty jargon.
The 2026 Time Map
If you are planning to enter the upcoming 2026 competition cycle, here is the timeline you need to follow:
Prompts Released & Writing Period
Summer 2026
The official essay prompts are released. This is the ideal time to treat the essay as an independent summer project, conducting your research and drafting your argument.
Submission Deadline
September 1, 2026
All 1,500-word essays must be submitted online through the official portal. (Always verify exact dates on the official website, as deadlines can occasionally shift.
Results Announced
November 2026
The judges complete their review and announce the winners.
Advanced Opportunities
December 2026 / January 2027
Top-performing students are often invited to participate in elite economics challenges or selective academic camps based on their essay results.
Need guidance on your essay writing? Connect with us now to get expert mentorship!