Medical Student Essay Prize - Applications now closed

Applications are now closed for the 2020 BOA Medical Student Essay Prize

Medical students from the UK and Republic of Ireland are invited to submit an essay, no longer than 1000 words, answering the following question: 'Discuss your ideas on how the BOA can utilise social media and new forms of communication to improve engagement across the profession including students'. There is a one essay entry per student limit. 

Please note: Any final year medical students who had their graduation brought forward due to the COVID-19 outbreak are still eligible to enter for this year's prize


The winning essay will receive the following:

  • BOA-recognised certificate
  • £100 prize money
  • Invited to sit on the BOA Education and Careers Committee for 1 year as a student representative
  • Oral or Poster presentation at the BOA Annual Congress 2021

Phil Harper, a final year medical student at the University of Southampton, is the winner of the 2019 BOA Medical Student Essay Prize. You can view his essay here.

 

FAQs

How do I Submit my Essay?

The BOA essay submission process will be open 1st April – 1st June 2020 . You will be required to submit an essay application form along with your essay by email to policy@boa.ac.uk. The essay application form will be available to complete from the 1st April on the Medical Student Essay Prize page on the BOA Website. There is a one essay entry per student limit. In order to help you begin working on your essay, please note the following:

You must include your full name at the top of the essay.

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

“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 2020 prize.

Any final year medical students who had their graduation brought forward due to the COVID-19 outbreak are still eligible to enter for this year's prize. 

Is There a Word Count?

The maximum word count for the essay is 1000 words.

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 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 is 12 noon on Monday 1st June 2020. There is NO deadline extension.

When will the Winner be Announced?

All participants will be informed of the result in September 2020 and the winner will be contacted directly

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 policy@boa.ac.uk or by telephone on 02074056507.