John Locke Essay Preparation
The John Locke Essay Competition draws 63,000+ entries from 150+ countries annually. Prepare with Oxford-trained mentors who helped 93% of our students get shortlisted in 2026 (38 of 41)—over 5x the global average.
93%
Shortlist Rate
38/41
2026 Shortlisted
<8
Students per Class
63,000+
Global Entries (2025)
What is the John Locke Competition?
The John Locke Essay Competition is one of the world's most prestigious pre-university academic writing contests. Run by the John Locke Institute (an Oxford-based educational organization), it challenges students aged 18 and under to write rigorous 2,000-word essays on thought-provoking questions.
Essays are judged by senior academics from Oxford, Princeton, and other leading universities on knowledge, evidence, argumentation, originality, structure, and persuasive force.
Competition Overview
Why Do John Locke?
Elite University Admissions
Over half of John Locke alumni have been admitted to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Oxford, or Cambridge. Recognition demonstrates intellectual depth valued by top universities.
Develop Critical Skills
The Institute teaches "logical, analytical, and rational thought." Learn to construct rigorous arguments, engage with complex ideas, and write persuasively.
Meaningful Recognition
Beyond prizes, candidates can receive Very High Commendation (top 1%), High Commendation (top 3%), Commendation, or Merit awards—all valuable distinctions.
Our 2026 Results: 38 of 41 Shortlisted
Up from 12 of 18 shortlisted in our first year (2025)
Our 2025 cohort included the first Emirati to receive Very High Commendation
Choose Your Program
Four programs for the 2027 cycle
Academic Essay Basics
Build essential academic writing skills. Ideal for students new to rigorous essay writing.
- Academic writing fundamentals
- Research & citation mastery
- Thesis development
- Argument construction
- One graded essay with feedback
John Locke Basics
Our flagship program. Group instruction plus personalized mentorship for contest submission.
- All Foundation content
- Category-specific preparation
- 6 hours of 1-on-1 mentorship
- Multiple draft reviews
- Submission preparation
Additional 1-on-1: AED 400/hour
Economics Scholar
The core of AP Micro and Macro, taught for John Locke Economics essay writing. USD 30/hour.
- AP Micro & Macro foundations
- Models as essay evidence
- Weekly 2-hour sessions from Oct 5
- Graded mini-essay on a past question
- Bundle with John Locke Basics: 20% off Basics
Ages 11-14 (Tue): prior John Locke shortlist required. Ages 14-17 (Thu): open enrollment.
Ivy Scholar
Intensive personalized preparation for students aiming for top honors.
- 20 hours dedicated mentorship
- Personalized prompt selection
- Unlimited essay revisions
- Competition strategy
- Direct mentor access
Past Essay Questions
Sample prompts from the 2025 competition — the 2027 questions are announced in late January
"Should we treat non-human animals well because they have rights, interests, neither, or both?"
"Should politicians ever be punished for lying?"
"What kinds of behaviour are engendered by the hope of profit?"
"Which figure in history did most to enlarge human freedom?"
"Is objectivity all in the mind?"
"Is atheism implausible?"
"Is Vladimir Putin a war criminal?"
"Why do people become more boring as they grow up and grow older?"
Each category has 3 questions to choose from. Students select one question and write up to 2,000 words.
2027 Competition Timeline
Projected from the official 2026 calendar — the Institute announces exact 2027 dates with the questions in late January
Common Questions
What categories can my child write in?
The John Locke competition offers ten subject categories: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, Law, International Relations, Public Policy, and Science & Technology. There is also a Junior category for students aged 14 and under. Each category has 3 thought-provoking questions to choose from. Our program prepares students for any category—core skills apply across all disciplines.
What makes your results so strong?
Our 93% shortlist rate in 2026 (38 of 41 students) comes from our methodology: we teach rigorous thinking, not just essay writing. Essays are judged on knowledge, evidence, quality of argumentation, originality, structure, style, and persuasive force. Our instructors include Oxford-trained academics who understand what makes arguments compelling at the highest level.
Which track should I choose?
Academic Essay Basics is for students new to academic writing who want to build foundational skills. John Locke Basics (most popular) combines group instruction with 6 hours of 1-on-1 mentorship for a contest-ready submission. Ivy Scholar offers intensive 20 hours of dedicated 1-on-1 mentorship for students aiming for top honors.
When should I enroll?
For the 2027 cycle, we offer two cohorts: January 2027 (recommended—full 5-month preparation) and March 2027 (intensive 3-month track). The 2027 questions are announced in late January, and the submission deadline is expected at the end of May, following the pattern of recent years. Starting earlier allows more time for research, drafting, multiple revisions, and final polish—critical for a competitive submission.
How competitive is the John Locke competition?
Very competitive. The Institute reports tens of thousands of submissions from more than 150 countries each year, and third-party estimates put 2025 at over 60,000 entries. By unofficial estimates fewer than one in five essays are shortlisted, and only a small fraction go on to commendations or category prizes. Even a shortlisting is a significant achievement valued by top universities.
How does John Locke help with university applications?
Recognition in the John Locke competition is explicitly valued by Oxbridge and Ivy League admissions. Over half of John Locke alumni have been admitted to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, and other elite universities. The competition demonstrates independent thought, research ability, and intellectual depth.
When do the 2027 cohorts start, and which should we choose?
We run two intakes for the 2027 cycle: a February cohort that begins as the questions are released (the full runway to the expected May 31 deadline) and an intensive March cohort for experienced writers. Both cover the same curriculum and finish with one-on-one mentorship through submission.
What is Economics Scholar, and who can join?
Economics Scholar is a 14-week foundation course (28 hours, USD 30/hour) covering the core of AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics, taught specifically for John Locke Economics essay writing. It starts the week of October 5, 2026 and runs 14 weeks into early January, finishing before the 2027 questions are released. The Thursday 6-8PM section (ages 14-17) is open enrollment. The Tuesday 6-8PM section (ages 11-14) is reserved for students who have already been shortlisted in a previous John Locke cycle, so younger students arrive with proven writing fundamentals.
How does the Economics Scholar + John Locke Basics bundle work?
Enroll in Economics Scholar and add John Locke Basics at 20% off (USD 1,040 instead of USD 1,300). You choose each program's schedule independently, and because Economics Scholar finishes in early January before the February or March John Locke cohort begins, you can even keep the same weekly time slot. The discount is applied automatically at checkout when both courses are in your cart.
Planning your own essay? Print the free John Locke essay planner — question deconstruction, a layered argument map, and a self-audit against the judging criteria.
Free Resources
John Locke Guides and Tools
2027 Dates and Changes Tracker
Confirmed vs expected 2027 timeline, every 2026 rule change, and how to prepare before the questions are released. Updated as announcements land.
Our 2026 Results, in Detail
How 38 of 41 students were shortlisted: the question-selection, drafting, and revision method behind the 93% rate.
Free Essay Planner
A printable planner: question deconstruction, layered argument map, and a self-audit against the official judging criteria.
Detailed Curriculum
Week-by-week breakdown of each program
Ready to Begin?
Two start dates available: January and March 2027. Secure your spot for the 2027 John Locke competition.
Starting earlier in the year? Many of our John Locke students first take the autumn Harvard International Review (HIR) Academic Writing Contest prep course (deadline January 2, 2027), then move straight into John Locke preparation.