Information on Student Design Awards for Students - The RSA - RSA

Information for students

Student Design Awards Information for students

2023-24 represents a historic landmark for our celebrated design awards as we celebrate the 100th year of the Student Design Awards.

These prestigious awards are a unique opportunity for you to be part of the world’s longest-running competition and create innovative design-led solutions that address real-world social and commercial challenges.

By taking part, you'll be joining a century-strong alumni of incredible forward-thinking changemakers who have inspired a generation to tackle the challenges that face people, place and planet.

Creativity and innovation is at the heart of these challenges and getting involved will elevate your learning experience as you apply your ideas to a real-world problem.

For the past 100 years, these awards have been a prestigious springboard for the careers for many previous winners and participants and you to can influence your future by choosing what you do now and standing alongside those who have influenced our future. So let yourself be inspired by the innovative scope of these award briefs and the impact this can have on your future career.

Our belief is that it is only through many perspectives coming together that we can achieve transformation. Whatever your passion - media, geography, robotics, philosophy, theatre, activism - we hope you are inspired by these challenges and feel compelled to apply.

Key dates

2023

  • Sep: Briefs launched
  • Oct: Free brief information sessions
  • Nov - Dec: Free learning and skills workshops

2024

  • 31 Jan: Submissions open
  • 16 Feb, 4pm GMT: Early bird submissions deadline (£25 entry fee)
  • 28 Feb, 11.59pm GMT: Bursary application deadline
  • 16 Mar, 4pm GMT: Final submissions deadline (£35 entry fee)
  • Mar - May: Judging (two stages: shortlisting and interviews with finalists)
  • Jul: Winners announced and awards ceremony

Submissions for the Student Design Awards 2023-24 are open.

Useful resources

Explore this specially curated collection of resources that will help inform, inspire and challenge your thinking.

2023-24 brief toolkit

Keep coming back to this toolkit during the competition to see updated resources from workshops and events.

More information on the Student Design Awards and RSA Spark

  • Student Design Awards

    We invite young designers from across the globe to answer design briefs that focus on the most pressing social and environmental challenges.

  • The design briefs

    We're challenging students and recent graduates to tackle pressing social, environmental and economic issues through design thinking. See this year's design briefs.

  • About the Student Design Awards

    The RSA Student Design Awards is a global competition that challenges students to apply their skills and creativity to tackle today’s most pressing social and environmental issues.