The Orwell Society, in partnership with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), is inviting students to apply for the 2026 Young Journalist’s Award. This award is an excellent opportunity to get involved in professional journalism, develop your writing skills, and connect with the influential legacy of George Orwell.
Work can be submitted in one of two categories:
- An arts review
- A political or social justice column
Each category winner will receive a cash prize and a NUJ student or appropriate level of membership. Each runner-up will receive a special prize from the Orwell Society and a free year of membership. All winners and runners-up will also gain one year of membership for the Orwell Society, providing access to events and networking opportunities.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be aged 18 to 25 on the closing date
- Live in the United Kingdom
- Be either a student (undergraduate or postgraduate) or a young journalist (employed or freelance).
Judging
Entries will be assessed by an expert panel of professional journalists, which is chaired by BU’s Principal Academic in Journalism and Literature, Dr Jaron Murphy.
Dr Jaron Murphy shares, “I strongly encourage BU students to seize this golden opportunity to compete for such a prestigious award in the spirit of one of the UK's — if not the world's — most famous authors, essayists and journalists: George Orwell. The broad entry categories provide plenty of scope to write about something you care about and which matters to wider society, following the example of Orwell who had an acute social conscience and who is also renowned for his sharp political awareness and prescience.
“For those new to Orwell’s writings, there are reading lists on the Orwell Society website to help you get started. You can also read Orwell-spirited works by the judges, including Professor Gary Younge who is a winner of the senior Orwell Prize for Journalism. Both entry categories are hotly contested each year and, having taught incredibly talented students on various courses at BU, I am confident that BU students have what it takes to shine in this competition. However, to be in with a chance of doing so, you must back yourself and enter!
“It obviously helps but entrants do not necessarily have to be enrolled specifically on a journalism course. This opportunity is open to any student with journalism aspirations aged between 18 and 25 on the entry deadline date.”
Submission requirements
To enter you must submit:
- One original article of 600 to 700 words in your chosen category
- A critical reflection of 250 to 300 words explaining how Orwell’s journalism influenced your work.
Submissions must be submitted as a Word document in 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced. PDF files will not be accepted. AI-generated content is not permitted. All entries will be anonymised for judging.
The closing date for entries is midnight on Tuesday 31 March 2026.
Why apply?
The award provides an opportunity to gain UK-wide recognition, enhance your CV and employability, and join a network of professionals committed to high standards in journalism. It’s an excellent way to develop your writing skills and engage with Orwell’s influence on the craft of journalism.
Read full award details and more about submitting an entry on the Young Journalist’s Award website.
