The Constitution Society, in association with Haus Publishing, is delighted to announce our 2025 Undergraduate Essay Prize. Running from 12 June 2025 to 22 August 2025, the Prize is an opportunity for students with an interest in constitutional studies to compete and contribute to public debate about the UK constitution.
The winner of the 2025 Essay Prize will receive £250 alongside £200 of book vouchers generously donated by Haus Publishing. Runners up will receive £50 each. The winning essay, along with any shortlisted essays, will be considered for publication by the Society.
Entrants will submit an essay of no more than 2000 words in length, inclusive of footnotes, in answer to the question: “To what extent is the Ministerial Code an effective control over ministerial behaviour?”. Essays should include references, in line with OSCOLA formatting. A bibliography is not mandatory, though any such bibliography will not be included in the word-count.
The Prize is open to all students enrolled across the academic year 2024-2025 in undergraduate or GDL study at a UK university.[1] Entries must be submitted with proof of eligibility/course (i.e. an enrolment certificate, student card or similar) to Society Research Associate Cassandra Somers-Joce at cassandra@constitutionsoc.org.uk.
The Society encourages entries from a wide variety of academic backgrounds, with no set requirements regarding structure or writing style. Entries should be submitted in either Microsoft Word or PDF format. Judging will be conducted anonymously and it is important that no identifying features, such as name, university, etc. be included in the body of the essay. All material submitted for consideration for the Prize must the sole work of the author. Entrants found to have used AI technology in the writing of their essay will be disqualified.
The judging of the prize will be conducted in two stages with shortlisted entries progressing to review by our illustrious judging panel: Professor Andrew Blick, Professor Aileen McHarg and Sir Richard Mottram.
Founded in 2009, The Constitution Society is an independent, non-party political educational foundation. We promote public understanding of the UK Constitution and work to encourage informed debate between legislators, academics and the public about proposals for constitutional change. The Society is a registered charity.
The Constitution Society.
[1] Scots law graduate entry LLB candidates are welcome to enter the Prize.