Photography competition and exhibition

The annual Student Photography Competition showcases and awards the creative talent of our diverse student community. Hosted by Edinburgh Global, the competition is a collaboration across the University to celebrate our shared communities, our city and green spaces, and student experiences.

2025/26 Student Photography Competition – Edinburgh Connections

Entry period: 30 October 2025 to 17 February 2026

Eligibility: The Photography Competition is open to University of Edinburgh students.

This year’s theme, Edinburgh Connections, encourages you to capture the connections at the heart of your student journey. Whether it’s the bustling energy of the city, the quiet appreciation of nature, or the diverse tapestry of communities and friendship, connections are the threads weaving the fabric of our university experiences. 

Let your images reflect the connections that define your time at Edinburgh and inspire others along the way.

Competition categories

All entries must fall within the Edinburgh Connections theme and one of the categories below:

  1. City. In collaboration with the Sense of Belonging Group, this category encourages you to showcase life in Edinburgh.
  2. Community. In collaboration with Edinburgh Local, this category allows you to highlight thriving communities.
  3. Nature. In collaboration with Social Responsibility and Sustainability, this category is your opportunity to submit images focused on wildlife and sustainability.
  4. Global Experiences. In collaboration with the Study and Work Away Service, this category allows students outside the UK to exhibit their study around the world. Note: This category is limited to students who are completing online distance learning, overseas fieldwork or Study and Work Away experiences.

Entrants can only submit one image in the competition so ensure you choose the most relevant category.

Winners and prizes

Eight winners will be selected. The winner categories and prizes are:

  • 1st prize – £100 voucher
  • 2nd prize – £75 voucher
  • Category winner: City – £50 voucher
  • Category winner: Community – £50 voucher
  • Category winner: Nature – £50 voucher
  • Category winner: Global Experiences – £50 voucher
  • Principal's choice (selected by the principal) – £50 voucher
  • Top-voted prize (selected by popular vote) – £50 voucher.

Unless specified otherwise above, the winners will be chosen by independent judges. 

Winners will be chosen after the competition period has ended.

How to enter

Entries must be submitted online through the entry portal from 30 October 2025 to 17 February 2026. Late entries will not be accepted.

Entrants should also be aware of the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Notice outlined below.

You can only enter one photo in the competition, so choose your category and submit your entry through the link below.

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