Students interested in global health, medicine, public health research, and international development now have an opportunity to showcase their ideas through the RSTMH Student Essay Competition.
The competition is organized by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and invites students from around the world to explore important issues affecting global health and tropical medicine.
Participants are encouraged to present their personal perspectives, research insights, and innovative ideas on pressing global health challenges, while demonstrating strong academic writing and analytical thinking.
For students pursuing degrees in fields such as public health, medicine, epidemiology, global development, or biomedical sciences, essay competitions like this provide valuable exposure and recognition in the international academic community.
About the RSTMH Student Essay Competition
The RSTMH Student Essay Competition is an annual opportunity designed to support early-career scholars who are studying global health or related disciplines.
Each year, the competition invites students to write an essay addressing a critical issue in global health or tropical medicine, encouraging participants to develop evidence-based arguments and practical ideas for improving health outcomes.
Students can submit essays that demonstrate original thought, critical analysis, and a strong understanding of global health challenges affecting communities worldwide.
Programs like this not only recognize academic excellence but also help students build strong portfolios for graduate studies, research scholarships, and international public health careers.
Competition Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Competition Name | RSTMH Student Essay Competition |
| Host Organization | Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene |
| Eligibility | Full-time students worldwide |
| Essay Length | 1,500 – 2,000 words |
| Summary Requirement | 150 – 200 words |
| Prize | £200 + Free RSTMH Student Membership |
| Essay Language | English |
The competition is open to students studying global health or degrees that include components of medicine, health policy, or international health systems.
Essay Topic and Focus Areas
From your own perspective and experience, how will these recent funding cuts transform global health?’
The essay competition typically focuses on important global health themes. For example, one recent competition asked participants to explore:
Explore more opportunities like this
This theme encourages students to think about collaboration between local communities, governments, international health organizations, and research institutions to improve healthcare systems.
Participants are expected to provide thoughtful perspectives supported by evidence and relevant academic references.
Prize and Recognition
The winner of the RSTMH Student Essay Competition receives a monetary prize along with professional recognition.
The award includes:
- £200 cash prize
- One year of free student membership to the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
- Certificate of recognition
- Opportunity for the essay to be published or promoted through RSTMH platforms
Winning essays may also be featured in the organization’s communications channels or published in its scientific journal, giving students exposure to the global health research community.
For students interested in academic careers in international public health, medical research, and global disease prevention, such recognition can significantly strengthen their academic profile.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the competition, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a current full-time student
- Must be studying global health or a related field such as medicine, public health, or health sciences
- Must be enrolled in a university or educational institution anywhere in the world
- Must provide proof of student status during submission
The competition welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds, including those studying medicine, biomedical sciences, public health, epidemiology, and international development.
Essay Guidelines
Participants must follow specific submission guidelines when preparing their essays.
The essay should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words, excluding references, footnotes, and tables.
Applicants must also submit a 150–200 word summary alongside the essay.
The essay must:
- Be written in English
- Be original and unpublished work
- Include appropriate academic references
- Be structured into clear sections where possible
References: All sources must be appropriately acknowledged using references numbered in the order in which they appear in the main essay text. References should be indicated with brackets, e.g. (2) for reference 2. References do not count as part of the word count.
Submissions that fail to include the summary or violate originality rules may not be considered for evaluation.
Judging Criteria
Essays are evaluated by the RSTMH Education and Training Committee.
The panel assesses submissions using several key criteria, including:
- Strength of the personal perspective presented
- Relevance to global or national health issues
- Logical structure and clarity of argument
- Use of credible academic evidence and references
- Ability to inspire or engage the reader
The decision of the judging panel is final, and the competition may also select essays for highly commended recognition.
Why Students Should Apply
Essay competitions provide valuable opportunities for students interested in global health research and international development careers.
Participating in academic competitions like the RSTMH Student Essay Competition can help students:
- develop strong academic writing skills
- strengthen their research portfolio
- gain recognition in global health networks
- build credibility for future scholarships or graduate programs
For students planning careers in fields such as public health research, epidemiology, healthcare policy, and global disease prevention, opportunities like this provide an important platform to share innovative ideas.
Previous Winners
The competition has recognized several outstanding students from universities around the world.
For example, one recent winner was Morlai Sesay from Southern Medical University in China, whose essay focused on community-driven approaches to strengthening health systems in Sierra Leone.
Previous winners have come from institutions such as the University of Nottingham, Cambridge University, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
This highlights the global reach of the competition and the high level of academic participation.
Conclusion
The RSTMH Student Essay Competition provides an excellent opportunity for students interested in global health, tropical medicine, and international health systems to contribute ideas that can influence future healthcare strategies.
By encouraging innovative thinking and evidence-based analysis, the competition helps support the next generation of public health leaders and researchers.
Students passionate about improving global health outcomes should strongly consider submitting their essays and sharing their perspectives with the international research community.
