Prizes and Studentships
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A number of different prizes are available for students and graduate students. If you have any queries about the Faculty's prizes, please contact the Faculty Office.
The prize competitions invite students to interpret the title to produce work that they think addresses or unfolds it in interesting ways; literary and creative and analytic approaches -- or a combination of all three --are equally welcome.
When submitting your entry for a prize the term 'motto' denotes a short phrase (10 words maximum) by which a candidate can be identified to the judges while remaining anonymous. An identifying motto can be anything you like: a motto, a quote, a song lyric, a Latin phrase; e.g. live laugh love, I have a dream, Mr Brightside, ad Astra.
Please complete the ‘CONTACT DETAILS FORM’ and submit this alongside your entry to the English Faculty Office.
| PRIZE | ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | DEADLINE |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Stallworthy Poetry Prize | Current postgraduate students | Michaelmas term Friday of 8th Week |
| Matthew Arnold Memorial Prize |
The Matthew Arnold Memorial Prize is open to all Students of the University |
Hilary term Monday of 7th Week |
| Shelley-Mills Prize | Students of the University, who have not been a member of any other University for more than a year | Hilary term Monday of 8th Week |
| Chancellor's English Essay Prize | Members of the University who have not previously won this prize |
Hilary term |
| Sir Roger Newdigate Prize | Current Matriculated undergraduate students |
Hilary term |
| Lord Alfred Douglas Memorial Prize | Members of the University, who have not previously won this prize | Trinity term Monday of 1st Week |
| Sir John Rhŷs Prize |
Members of the University, who have not previously won this prize, who:
|
Michaelmas term Monday of 8th Week |
| English Poem on a Sacred Subject | Members of the University, who have not previously won this prize, who:
|
Trinity term |
Essays and Compositions
The winner for the Jon Stallworthy Poetry Prize in 2023-2024 was Riley Faulds (Worcester College), for his entry 'Selfslip'. The judges would like to thank all those who entered; the award ceremony was held at Wolfson College on Thursday 18 January 2024.
Jon Stallworthy Poetry Prize
The English Faculty and Wolfson College are delighted to announce this year's poetry competition for Oxford postgraduate students. This competition has been set up in memory of the late Professor Jon Stallworthy (1935-2014), poet and Fellow of Wolfson College, and is open to any student currently enrolled in postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. The funding for the prize has been provided by generous donations to the English Faculty and to Wolfson College (Oxford) from Old Possum's Practical Trust and from the Derek Hill Foundation.
The subject for 2024-25: The prize will be awarded, provided there is an entry of sufficient merit, for the best poem in English verse (not exceeding 40 lines in length) on the subject of ‘Opposites’. The value of the prize is £1,000, and entrants may submit up to two poems. The judges will include the Oxford Professor of Poetry, A.E. Stallings. Entries should be submitted by email with the subject “Jon Stallworthy Poetry Prize” to the English Faculty Office, not later than Friday of 8th week, Michaelmas Term (6 December 2024). Authors should conceal their names and identify their entry documents with a motto; multiple entries should be numbered. Please complete the contact details form and submit this alongside your entry. The award ceremony will be hosted by Wolfson College on Thursday 16 January 2025.
In 2022-23, the Matthew Arnold Memorial Prize was awarded to Oliver Bingham (Hertford College). The judges would like to thank all those who submitted an entry, and wish them luck in the future. No prize was awarded in 2024.
The Matthew Arnold Memorial Prize, the value of which is £500, providing there is an entry of sufficient merit, is open to members of the University, who, on the closing date for receipt of essays, have qualified by examination for the Degree of BA or have qualified by examination for any other degree of the University or, not being graduates of the University, are pursuing a course of study leading to a postgraduate degree of the University. An additional prize, of £350, may be awarded.
The subject for 2024 - 2025: An essay in response to the following prompt 'We are only safe from one another's tyranny when no one has any power,—.' Entries should be submitted by email with the subject " Matthew Arnold Memorial Prize" to the English Faculty Office, not later than Monday of 7th week, Hilary Term 2025. Authors should conceal their names and identify their entry documents with a motto. Multiple entries should also be numbered. Please complete the contact details form and submit this alongside your entry.
Deadline for submission: Monday of 7th week, Hilary Term (3 March 2025)
In 2023-24, the Chancellor's English Essay Prize was awarded to Constance Everett-Pite (Corpus Christi College). Millie Dean-Lewis (Wadham) was awarded proxime/second place for her essay titled: ‘/vɛʁ/’. The judges would like to thank all those who entered.
The Chancellor's English Essay Prize, the value of which is £500, providing there is an entry of sufficient merit, is open to open to students of the University. Essays should not exceed 7000 words in length (excluding bibliography) and may be considerably shorter than this. The prize will not be awarded twice to the same person.
The subject for 2024-25: The essay subject for 2024 -25 is ‘Shadows’. Entries should be submitted by email with the subject "Chancellor's English Essay Prize" to the English Faculty Office, not later than Monday of 8th Week, Hilary Term (10th March 2025). Authors should conceal their names and identify their entry documents with a motto. Multiple entries should also be numbered. Please complete the contact details form and submit this alongside your entry.
Deadline for submission: Monday of 8th Week, Hilary Term (10 March 2025)
In 2023-24 the Shelley-Mills Prize was awarded to Daniella Sakota (St Hilda's College) for her submission “Listening to Wind-Song: Soundscapes, Nets, and the Music of The Tempest”. The judges would like to thank all those who entered.
The purpose of the Shelley-Mills Prize is to promote the study of the works of William Shakespeare. This prize is open to all students of the University, who have not been a member of any other university for more than a year. prize of £500 will be awarded, providing there is an entry of sufficient merit, for the best essay of about 5,000 words on the subject.
The subject for 2024 - 25: The essay subject for 2024 -25 is ‘Shakespeare and the natural world_’. Entries should be submitted by email with the subject "Shelley-Mills Prize" to the English Faculty Office, not later than Monday of 8th Week, Hilary Term 2025. Authors should conceal their names and identify their entry documents with a motto. Multiple entries should also be numbered. Please complete the contact details form and submit this alongside your entry. Candidates must also submit a statement by the Head or Senior Tutor of their College that they have not been a member of any university other than Oxford for more than one year.
Deadline for submission: Monday of 8th Week, Hilary Term (10 March 2025)
The winner for the Sir Roger Newdigate Prize in 2023-24 was Shaw Worth (Magdalen College), for their submissions: ‘At the Papal Palace’ and ‘After ‘Horses, Peacefully Farting & Snoring’’. Liv Goldreich (St John’s College), was also given an 'Honourable Mention' for their poem 'The Fish-Eaters to Cambyses: A Reckoning'. The judges would like to thank all those who entered.
The Sir Roger Newdigate Prize is awarded for the best composition in English verse not exceeding 300 lines in length. The prize is open to current matriculated undergraduate students of the University. The value of the prize is £500.
The subject for 2024-25: The essay subject for 2024 -25 is ‘Echo/echoes’. Entries should be submitted by email with the subject ‘Sir Roger Newdigate Prize’ to the English Faculty Office, not later than Monday of 8th Week, Hilary Term 10th March 2025). Authors should conceal their names and identify their entry documents with a motto. Multiple entries should also be numbered. Please complete the contact details form and submit this alongside your entry.
Deadline for submission: Monday of 8th Week, Hilary Term (10 March 2025)
In 2023-24, the Lord Alfred Douglas Memorial Prize was awarded to Jordan Maly-Preuss (Merton College), for her submission: 'Selvage’. Austin Spendlowe (Lincoln College) was commended for their submission: ‘We Workshop Love’. The judges would like to thank all who entered and wish them luck in the future.
The Lord Alfred Douglas Memorial Prize is awarded provided there is an entry of sufficient merit, for the best sonnet or other poem from 14 to 28 lines in length, written in English in contemporary diction and strict rhyming metre. Any member of the University, who is registered for a degree of the University, whether as an undergraduate or a graduate student, may enter for the prize. The maximum number of entries per person is three. The prize shall not be awarded more than once to the same person. A copy of the winning entry shall be deposited in the Bodleian Library. The value of the prize is £500.
The subject for 2024-25: A 'sonnet or other poem from 14 to 28 lines in length, written in English in contemporary diction and strict rhyming metre.' Entries should be submitted by email with the subject "Lord Alfred Douglas Prize" to the English Faculty Office, not later than Monday of 1st Week, Trinity Term 2025. Authors should conceal their names and identify their entry documents with a motto. Multiple entries should also be numbered. Please complete the contact details form and submit this alongside your entry.
Deadline for submission: Monday of 1st week, Trinity Term (Monday 28 April 2025)
The winner of the Sir John Rhŷs Prize 2023 was Elisa Cozzi (Queen’s College), for her entry 'From Dánta Grá to Dante: Irish-Italian Genealogies, 1350–1850'. The judges would like to thank all those who entered.
Sir John Rhŷs Prize
This prize, the purpose of which is to promote the study of Celtic Languages, Literature, History, and Antiquities, is administered by the Trustees of the Rhŷs Fund. The prize is open to members of the University. Finishing MPhil students and undergraduate finalists are very welcome to submit their entries. £500 will be awarded, providing there is an entry of sufficient merit, for the best essay on a subject relating to Celtic Language, Literature, History and Antiquities. Entrants may submit more than one piece. Candidates are free to choose their own subject.
The judges have the power to recommend to the trustees that grants be made out of the Rhŷs Fund towards the expenses of printing the whole, or parts, of any essay and/or to enable the successful candidate, or candidates, to carry on the work which has been the subject of the essay. The judges have the power to recommend to the trustees that presents of books may be made to unsuccessful candidates whose essays have shown special excellence. More information about about "Sir John Rhŷs Prize" is available on this information sheet: https://english.web.ox.ac.uk/sitefiles/sir-john-rhys-further-particulars...
The subject Sir John Rhŷs Prize 2024: Students are free to choose their own topic. Entries should be submitted by email with the subject "Sir John Rhŷs Prize" to the English Faculty Office, not later than Friday of 8th Week, Michaelmas Term 2024. Authors should conceal their names and identify their entry documents with a motto. Multiple entries should also be numbered. Please complete the contact details form and submit this alongside your entry.
Deadline for submission: Friday of 8th Week, Michaelmas Term (6 December 2024).
The English Poem on a Sacred Subject Prize for 2021-2022 was jointly awarded to Audrey Southgate (Merton) and Maya Krishnan (All Souls College) for their entries on the subject of ‘In heaven it is always Autumn’ (John Donne) or ‘Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.’ (Proverbs vi.6). The judges would like to thank all those who entered.
The English Poem on a Sacred Subject Prize runs every third year. Candidates for the prize (value of at least £1,250) shall be members of the University who, not later than the closing date for entries for the competition, shall have qualified by examination for a degree of the University; or shall hold the Degree of Master of Arts by incorporation or by decree or by resolution; or shall hold the status of Master of Arts; or shall have qualified by examination for a degree of any other university.
The prize will be awarded, provided there is an entry of sufficient merit, for the best poem on any of the themes below:
3 Possible themes:
- ‘The wind scatters one year’s leaves on the ground, but the forest burgeons and puts out others, as the season of spring comes round. So it is with men: one generation grows on, and another is passing away.’ (Homer, Iliad VI, 146f.).
- ‘For who hath despised the day of small things?’ (Zechariah 4:10).
- ‘All the world is but Speculum, a glasse, in which we see God.' (John Donne, sermon preached at St Paul's, Easter Day, 1628, on 1 Cor. 13.12).
The poem must consist of not less than sixty or more than 300 lines. It may be blank verse or in any form of verse rhymed in couplets or stanzas. There is a tradition which discourages dramatic form of composition for this prize. The judges may, at their discretion, also make an award to the proxime accessit. Should no such award be made the value of the main award will be increased. The prize may not be awarded more than twice to the same person.
Entries should be submitted by email with the subject "English Poem on a Sacred Subject Prize" to the English Faculty Office, not later than Monday of 8th Week, Trinity Term 2025 (16 June 2025). Authors should conceal their names and identify their entry documents with a motto. Please complete the contact details form and submit this alongside your entry.
In addition, candidates must also submit details of the degree awarded (title, university and date, of which the Faculty will require proof, before award of the prize).
Examination Prizes
There are two prizes, each valued at £200. One will be awarded, if there is a candidate of sufficient merit, by the Examiner in the Preliminary Examinations in Classics and English to the candidate whose performance in that examination they judge the best.
The other prize will be awarded by the Examiners for the Final Honour School of Classics and English, to the candidate whose performance in that examination they judge the best. No special application is required for either prize.
Two prizes will be offered, if there are candidates of a sufficient merit, each of a value of £250. The first shall be for the best performance in Course I Paper 1 of the Final Honour School in English and its associated Joint Schools (as judged by the board of examiners for the relevant School).
The second shall be for the best dissertation on a subject dealing with the works of Shakespeare submitted by a candidate for the MSt in English or for Transfer from PRS to DPhil status (as judged by the board of examiners for the MSt course).
The prize, value about £150, will be awarded, if there is a candidate of sufficient merit, by Examiner in the Preliminary Examinations in English Language and Literature in Trinity Term each year to the candidate whose performance in that examination, or in part 2 of the Preliminary Examination in English and Modern Languages in the same term, they judge to be the best. No special application is required.
A prize of £100 shall be awarded for the best dissertation or dissertations, awarded the highest marks by the examiners for the Final Honours School in English Language and Literature in that academic year. No person shall be eligible for a prize who, on the date fixed for the written examination, will have exceeded nine terms from matriculation.
The Gibbs prizes in English Language and Literature are awarded as follows.
Prizes of £750 each are awarded for the following:
- the best overall performance in Course I of the Honour School; and
- the best overall performance in Course II of the Honour School.
A prize of £500 is awarded for the best dissertation, Paper 7.
Seven prizes of £250 each, called ‘Book prizes’, for the next best overall performances.
Any individual Gibbs Prize can be split between two equally meritorious candidates.
The Swapna Dev Memorial Book Prize for the best doctoral thesis in English literature at the University of Oxford was established in 2018 according to the wishes of her husband, and supported by his generous gift. The prize honours the interest that Swapna Dev had in English literature. The prize will be £150 of books, to be chosen by the winner.
Brief bio of Swapna Dev [1949-2001]
After receiving her B.A. and M.A. degrees in English from Delhi University, Swapna taught for many years on the B.A. Pass and Honours courses in English at the Jesus & Mary College, one of the leading colleges of Delhi University. After moving to the US, she became a visiting scholar in Folklore & Mythology at Harvard University from 1983 to 1985. At Harvard, Swapna worked on the metaphysical symbolism of Buddhist Stupas. Professor Hugh Flick was her tutor at Harvard.
A lot of Swapna's writings, articles ranging from her childhood to diagnosis of her cancer, were discovered by her husband after her death. These were collected and published as a book titled, "Reminiscences of a Departed Soul," and is available from the publishing company, Blurb [US].
Graduate Studentships
Details on studentships available for graduate study may be found on the Funding & Scholarships page.
