The Student competition is the Sony World Photography Awards’ strand for photography students, run by the London-based World Photography Organisation.
Entrants answer one annual brief — for 2027, “Journeys” — with a series of 5–10 images entered online. Judges pick up to 10 shortlisted photographers and one overall winner.
Benefits & funding
- Free to enter; no cash prize and no cash alternative.
- Winner: Sony Digital Imaging equipment, flights and accommodation (with one tutor) to the London ceremony, a trophy, book and exhibition inclusion.
- Winner’s institution: Sony equipment worth about €30,000.
- Shortlist: certificate, book and exhibition inclusion, global press exposure.
- Winners arrange and pay for their own UK visa or ETA.
Eligibility
- Aged 18–30 on the 27 November 2026 deadline.
- Studying photography at higher-education level: a photography course, credit, module or foundation within a diploma, BA or MA curriculum.
- The institution must be registered with the World Photography Organisation; a student can register it during entry.
- Any nationality; no country of residence required.
- Work must be the entrant’s own, entered under their real name; computer-generated origins are barred.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“The Competition is open to all students of photography from World Photography Organisation’s selected Universities. … *A programme refers to a formalised photography course/credit/module/foundation which is taught at higher education level, within a diploma / Bachelor of Arts / Master of Arts curriculum.” Eligibility
Age requirement
18–30 yrs
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Application process
- 1Check that your institution is registered, or register it.
- 2Shoot a 5–10 image series answering the “Journeys” brief, describing any manipulation.
- 3Upload 1–5 MB sRGB JPEGs with EXIF data online by 27 November 2026; entries cannot be changed after submission.
Program timeline
Entries close, 16:00 GMT (rules clause 3.1 says uploads by 13:00 GMT).
Nov 27, 2026
Shortlist announced.
After Jan 1, 2027
Overall winner announced at the London ceremony.
April 2027