UK Brain Bee — Course / Training

The UK Brain Bee is NeuroSpark’s annual neuroscience competition for secondary school students in the United Kingdom. Entrants first take an online preliminary round, and top scorers advance to an in-person national final at Imperial College London. The national winner represents the UK at the International Brain Bee Championship.

The UK site still labels the 2026 cycle as open, but its linked registration form is closed and identifies itself as the 2025 form. No current application window or exact closing date is therefore confirmed.

Benefits & funding

Registration for the preliminary online multiple-choice round is free.
Students who reach the national final must pay a small fee; the official FAQ does not publish the amount.
The UK winner advances to the International Brain Bee, where the site advertises an opportunity to win up to USD 3,000.

Eligibility

Open to secondary school students studying in the United Kingdom.
Applicants must be aged 13–18 on the competition day.
Applicants must be studying GCSE, A-Level, or an equivalent qualification.
Prior neuroscience study is not required, and no nationality restriction is stated.

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.

Residence required
UK
Education required
High School
Age requirement
13–18 yrs

Check my eligibility — free

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Application process

1
Register online as an individual or through a school when the next form opens.
2
Prepare with the free Brain Facts material and the UK Brain Bee study resources.
3
Complete the online preliminary multiple-choice round.
4
If selected as a top scorer, attend the national final at Imperial College London.
5
The national winner proceeds to the International Brain Bee Championship.

Program timeline

Online preliminary round.
March 2026
In-person national final at Imperial College London.
April 2026
International final for the UK national winner.
November 2026
Current status
The linked registration form is closed, and no exact next opening date is published.