Medical Student Essay Prize

Information about the 2024 Medical Student Prize will be released in due course. 

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For the 2023 prize, medical students from the UK and Republic of Ireland wereinvited to submit an essay, no longer than 1,000 words, answering the following question: 'With the changing demographics and working practices within T&O how can we sustain the work force and standards of care currently provided within the NHS?'. There is a limit of one essay entry per student. 

Application Form.

The winning essay will receive the following:

  • BOA-recognised certificate
  • £100 prize money
  • Travel and overnight accommodation at the BOA Annual Congress 2023 paid for by the BOA

The BOA also wish to recognise the exceptional submissions we receive with a highly commended certificate.

Jan Drmota, a final year medical student at Imperial College London, is the winner of the 2022 BOA Medical Student Essay Prize.  His essay was published on Orthopaedics Online in December 222 which also featured the highest ranked essays.

FAQs

How do I submit my essay?

You will be required to submit an essay application form along with your essay. The essay application form is linked on the BOA Medical Student Essay Prize webpage; please complete this and send it, along with your essay, to [email protected]. There is a limit of one essay entry per student. We do not accept essays which are co-authored.

In the application essay form you will be required to confirm: 

“I certify that the attached material is my own work. I also certify that I have formally certified or formally acknowledged the words and ideas of others.”

Am I eligible?

The competition is open to all medical students in the UK or Republic of Ireland. If you have submitted in previous years but you are still a medical student, you are welcome to re-enter the competition for the 2023 prize.

Medical Students from the UK or Republic of Ireland who are studying abroad are not eligible to submit an essay.

We do not accept essays which are co-authored.

 

Is There a Word Limit?

The maximum word count for the essay is 1000 words. The essay title and references/figures/tables (including in-text references) are not included in the word count, but any accompanying text i.e. the name of the table if stated above/below it, will be counted in the Word Count. Appendices are not encouraged but may be used to present relevant additional information referred to in the essay. We usually receive a large number of submissions and the people marking the essays are not expected to read Appendices and therefore these should not be used to display details which are essential to your work.

Can I include Graphs or Images in my Essay?

Yes, you may include graphs and/or images. Any accompanying text will be included in the word count.

Does the Word Count include References and Figures?

The word count does not include your references/figures/tables, including in-text references, but does include the accompanying text to any included figures.

What Referencing Style shall I use?

There is no preferred referencing style.

When is the Final Deadline?

The deadline for the 2023 BOA Medical Student Essay Prize is 23:59 on 28th February. There is NO deadline extension.

When will the Winner be Announced?

All participants will be informed of the result and the winner will be contacted directly. Further information will be available once the 2023 Medical Student Essay Prize has launched.

Will I Receive Feedback?

Due to the high number of submissions that we receive each year, the BOA are unfortunately unable to provide individual feedback.

Who can I Contact if I have a Problem?

Our policy team are happy to help you with any queries you may have regarding the essay prize. You can contact us by email at [email protected] or by telephone on 02074056507.