Deadline: 19-Feb-2026
Christ Church, Oxford, is inviting applications for the 2026 Tower Poetry Competition, the UK’s most valuable prize for young poets. Open to students aged 16–18, the competition awards £5,000 for first place, £3,000 for second, £1,500 for third, and £500 each to ten runners-up, with top winners offered a place at the Tower Poetry Summer School.
Overview of the Competition
The Tower Poetry Competition encourages young poets in the UK to demonstrate creativity, originality, and skill in a single poem. The 2026 competition theme is “A Riddle”, designed to give entrants free rein to interpret it broadly. Poems may be up to 48 lines, but shorter works are acceptable, with originality and quality prioritized over length.
Prizes
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1st Prize: £5,000 and a place at the Tower Poetry Summer School.
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2nd Prize: £3,000 and a place at the Summer School.
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3rd Prize: £1,500 and a place at the Summer School.
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Runners-Up: Ten awards of £500 each.
Eligibility Criteria
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Students aged 16–18 on 19 February 2026.
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Enrolled in full- or part-time secondary education in the UK.
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Not eligible: students in higher education, and family members or close relatives of Christ Church, Oxford employees.
Submission Guidelines
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Submit via the official Tower Poetry website.
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Include accurate personal details; do not include names or addresses on the poem.
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One poem per entrant. Once submitted, poems cannot be edited, replaced, or resubmitted.
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Poems must be original, unpublished, and not submitted to other competitions.
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Maximum length: 48 lines; shorter poems are permitted.
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Generative AI use is prohibited; unacknowledged AI-generated content is considered plagiarism.
How to Apply
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Confirm eligibility (age and education status).
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Write a poem responding creatively to the theme “A Riddle”.
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Submit your poem online via the official website before 12 noon on 19 February 2026.
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Ensure your submission includes accurate contact details for notification purposes.
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Await judging results; decisions are final.
Copyright and Publication
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Copyright remains with the author.
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Authors of winning poems grant Christ Church permission to publish or broadcast their work online or in print in perpetuity.
Why It Matters
The competition:
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Encourages creative and original poetry among young writers in the UK.
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Provides significant monetary prizes to support emerging poets.
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Offers educational opportunities through the Tower Poetry Summer School.
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Highlights excellence in literary arts while fostering talent at a formative age.
Tips and Common Mistakes
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Avoid exceeding 48 lines; shorter poems are acceptable.
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Ensure all work is original; do not include unacknowledged AI-generated content.
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Submit before the deadline; late entries are not accepted.
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Include accurate contact information in the application form but not on the poem itself.
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Only one submission per entrant; duplicates or revisions are not permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Who can enter? Students aged 16–18 in secondary education in the UK.
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What is the theme? “A Riddle.”
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How many poems can I submit? One poem per entrant.
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Are AI-generated poems allowed? No; use of generative AI is considered plagiarism.
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When is the deadline? 12 noon, 19 February 2026.
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What are the prizes? £5,000 (1st), £3,000 (2nd), £1,500 (3rd), and £500 for ten runners-up, with top winners offered a place at the Tower Poetry Summer School.
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Who owns the copyright? Authors retain copyright; winning poems may be published or broadcast by Christ Church.
Conclusion
The Christ Church Tower Poetry Competition provides a prestigious platform for young UK poets to showcase originality and creativity. With substantial prizes, recognition, and educational opportunities, the competition nurtures emerging talent and encourages excellence in literary arts.
For more information, visit Christ Church.