Writing prizes

This prize, estimated value £900, is awarded to a matriculated student of the University of Aberdeen or the University of Edinburgh.

It is given for a poem or series of poems, using any recognised verse form other than free verse, totalling no more than 80 lines on a given theme (for example, the theme for 2020 was “rent”).

Past winners

This prize, estimated value £1,500, is awarded annually for a prose or verse composition in Lowland Scots vernacular to a matriculated student of the University of Edinburgh, or to a graduate of the University of Edinburgh of less than three years’ standing.

You will be required to include a statement about the particular dialect chosen; accuracy plays a major part in determining the award (along with the literary and imaginative interest of the composition).

This prize was established in memory of Lewis Edwards, who died while a student of English Literature at the University of Edinburgh. It is open to any matriculated undergraduate student of the University.

The award, £1400, is offered for a composition in English verse (including free verse) or prose (fiction). Poetry submissions must be no more than 80 lines; prose (fiction) submissions must be no longer than 3000 words.