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This is an annual competition for Year 12 (Lower 6th) students who are considering applying to study medicine. The competition is open to all students currently studying at a state-funded school, college or sixth-form.

The Essay Prize aims to raise awareness of the interesting and multifaceted subject of medicine related to traumatic-injury. It is hoped that the Prize will encourage students with an interest in medicine to explore this further and to apply for a University course in this subject. In addition, the Prize aims to recognise the achievements of high-calibre students, as well as the achievements of those who teach them.

The competition carries a First Prize of a 7 day work-experience placement within the Major Trauma Centre, Oxford. In addition, up to three further essays of a high quality will be commended. For students living more than 20 miles from the John Radcliffe hospital, Oxford there is also a prize of £100, which will contribute to travel expenses anticipated in the attendance of the work-experience placement.  Accommodation will not be provided although some facilities are available when shadowing the ‘on call’ team.

The topic for the 2021 competition is as follows

"Sometimes when the broken bone heals, the trauma continues". Discuss the possible biopsyhchosocial effects of orthopaedic trauma in the first year after injury. 

Candidates are invited to submit an essay of between 750 and 1000 words. Essays should be submitted to the email address below by the deadline of the end (23:59 BST) of 1 July 2021.  Late submissions cannot be accepted.  

All candidates will be notified with the results of the competition in early August.

Any queries should be directed to Mrs Jackie Harris at Jackie.harris@ndorms.ox.ac.uk

How information about you will be used

Your email address will only be used for the purposes of contacting you in regards to your submission. It will not be used for any other reason or given or sold to any other company or organization.  

Notes for applicants:

This prize is hosted jointly by the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals NHS foundation trust.

Clinical placements will be dependent on satisfactory completion of the trusts standard observership process.  Successful candidates will not be eligible to cite this award if clinical placements are not conducted.

Unsuccessful candidates should not refer to this prize in the prizes/awards section of applications.

Entry Guidelines 

  • Only entries that are submitted via email, in word format to the published email address will be accepted. Submissions made in PDF format will not be accepted.
  • Entries must be no longer than 1000 words. 
  • Entries should be submitted in Arial size 12 font, excluding title.
  • The word limit does not include the published title/question or references
  • References should be presented as endnotes
  • Entries will be judged by academic orthopaedic surgeons

The manuscript should be organised in the following format;

Title

Authors name and email address

School

Body of text

Word count

References if appropriate 

Top Tips

  • Entries will be judged on the following attributes:
  • A clear, concise and well presented answer to the question posed by the essay title
  • Style of writing
  • Content / understanding
  • Originality