The University of Sydney's annual literary prizes have a long history, with many dating back to bequests received at the beginning of the 20th century.
All literary prizes require an application and the submission of written work, typically an essay or poem, on a selected topic. Written work should be submitted under a nom de plume.
Essay — $20,000 award and a medal
Established in 1854 from a gift of £200 from WC Wentworth, this medal was initially presented as a reward for the best essay in English prose and now seeks to reward an outstanding essay addressing a nominated question.
Open to all students enrolled at the University of Sydney, except for previous winners of this award.
2025 Topic: How can we effectively promote the principles of academic freedom while ensuring safety and fostering social harmony in our multicultural community?
Open date: 29 July 2025
Close date: 29 August 2025
The topic or topics for the essay will be set each year and the examiners of the essay will be appointed by the Wentworth Medal Committee (who have the power to co-opt). The committee consists of the:
The committee reserves the right to share the prize if two or more entries are judged to be of equal, highest, and sufficient merit.
The essay should be approximately 3000 words (including referencing). It should demonstrate a breadth of research, be of a high scholarly standard and include appropriate referencing.
In assessing the quality of the essay the panel will consider:
Students intending to apply will need to self-enrol and submit their essay via Canvas, as well as submit a pen-name in the registration form.
Incomplete submissions – that is, a missing pen-name or missing essay, will not be considered.
Please note that early, late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances. All submissions will be screened through TurnItIn for Academic Integrity.
Short story or play — $1,500 award
This Prize is funded by a bequest from Emilie Ann Consett Stephen.
Open to all undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Sydney. To enter, you must submit a short story or play that they have written through our form.
Essay — $10,000 award
The Beauchamp Prize is awarded for the best essay on some matter of literary or historical interest. This Prize is funded by a gift from his Excellency the Right Honourable William Lygon, Earl Beauchamp, KCMG, Governor of New South Wales.
To participate, you must either be:
You must submit an essay on some matter of literary or historical interest with a word limit between 5000 and 7500 words, through our form.
English verse — $5,000 award
This Prize is funded by a gift from subscribers to the memorial of Henry Lawson, Australian poet and prose-writer. A maximum number of 3 prizes may be awarded each year between the Henry Lawson Prize for Poetry and the Henry Lawson Prize for Prose.
To participate, you must the following requirements:
You need to submit an English verse through our form.
Short story or sketch — $5,000 award
This Prize is funded by a gift from subscribers to the memorial of Henry Lawson, Australian poet and prose-writer. A maximum number of 3 prizes may be awarded each year between the Henry Lawson Prize for Prose and the Henry Lawson Prize for Poetry.
To participate, you must the following requirements:
You need to submit an original composition on an Australian theme in the form of a short story or descriptive sketch, through our form.
Essay — $600 award
The HM Moran Prize was established in 1945 from a gift of £250 from Dr HM Moran and is awarded for the best essay.
Open to undergraduate students who are Catholic.
You must submit an essay (maximum 5000 words) on the history of medicine and science through our form.
Composition — $5,000 award
This Prize is funded by a donation from Robert A Dallen.
To participate, you must be be one of the following:
You must submit a composition on The Influence of the Bible on Later Culture and Literature through our form.
Essay — $15,000 award
The Venour V Nathan Prize is awarded for the best essay on a subject connected to Australian or Imperial history. This prize is funded by a donation from Venour V Nathan.
To participate, you must be be one of the following:
You must submit an essay (5000-7500 word limit) on a subject connected to Australian or Imperial history through our form.
Have any questions? Get in touch with us.
