University of Oxford Sixth-form prize in Medicine

The Essay Prize aims to raise awareness of the interesting and multifaceted subject of medicine related to orthopaedics. 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 5-day work-experience placement within the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC) and the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), Oxford. In addition, up to three further essays of a high quality will be commended. For students living more than 20 miles from NOC, 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 if the placement allows shadowing of the ‘on call’ team.

The topic for the 2024 competition is as follows

How does arthritis impact the individual and society?

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 November 30 2024.  Late submissions cannot be accepted. 

All candidates will be notified with the results of the competition in December, and invited to attend a work experience placement in the Easter holidays - w/c 7^th or 14^th April 2025.

All entries should be submitted to: communications@ndorms.ox.ac.uk using the subject line 'Sixth form prize entry'.

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 organisation.  

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 (no more than 5)

You are reminded of the importance of honesty and probity within the medical profession as you consider these statements.

At the end of your application please include the following information:

I confirm that this is my own work and artificial intelligence software has not been used in the production of the text.

I confirm I attend a state-funded school in the UK & Northern Ireland.

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

This 6^th form prize aims to address one of the key barriers to gaining insights into a career in medicine; work experience.  This opportunity means that access to work experience may be based on commitment and academic ability, rather than personal or institutional links.  We are looking forward to receiving your applications and to meeting two successful applicants in the Easter holidays 2025.