Minds Underground Economics Essay Competition – MU
Officially Recommended by Colleges of Oxford and Cambridge
- Over 10,000 participants from 50+ countries each year
- Opportunity to join the MU Oxford Economics Global Championship
- Strengthen university and scholarship applications
- Explore real-world issues in international, behavioral, mathematical, and environmental economics
- Up to 60% award ratio
Introduction
The MU Economics Essay Competition, organized by Minds Underground (MU), is one of the world’s leading academic essay challenges for high school students passionate about economics. Officially recommended by Balliol College, University of Oxford, and Homerton College, University of Cambridge, this competition invites students worldwide to explore global issues through the analytical lens of economics.
Each year, more than 10,000 students from over 50 countries participate in the MU Economics Essay Competition, making it a truly global platform for intellectual exchange and innovation. By encouraging critical thinking, independent research, and academic writing, the competition helps students strengthen their university applications, improve their interview performance, and cultivate a deep understanding of economic systems that shape the modern world.
Outstanding participants will be invited to the MU Oxford Economics Global Championship, where they will refine their research under expert mentorship, compete in academic challenges, and experience the vibrant intellectual atmosphere of the University of Oxford.
Essay Requirements
The MU Economics Essay Competition is open to students aged 15–18 from all around the world. It challenges participants to think critically about pressing global issues while demonstrating creativity, logic, and originality.
- Language: English
- Word Count: 1,000–1,500 words (excluding references)
- Referencing Style: Harvard format
- Submission Type: Individual or team of up to 2 authors
- Registration Deadline: January 11, 2026
- Submission Deadline: March 15, 2026
After registration, students will receive a confirmation email containing detailed submission instructions, academic writing guidelines, and reference materials. To ensure fairness and integrity, all submissions undergo AI detection and plagiarism checks before being reviewed by the judging panel.
2025 – 2026 Essay Topics
This year’s MU Essay Competition features four key subfields of economics, each offering students the chance to engage in deep critical analysis and apply real-world reasoning to theoretical frameworks.
Mathematical Economics
- Why do people queue at some coffee shops but not others?
- Imagine a world where everyone has perfect information — how would markets change?
- How would you design a mathematical model to measure “economic happiness”?
Behavioral Economics
- Why do people tip in restaurants they’ll never return to?
- If humans were truly rational, would supermarkets still exist as they do today?
- Why do people pay more for branded water? Can behavioral economics fix this?
International Economics
- A new country is formed and launches its own currency — what determines its credibility?
- What would happen if all borders were opened overnight?
- Could a digital-only currency replace the US dollar as the world’s reserve?
Environmental Economics
- Should we put a price on nature?
- If climate change were a company, how would you bankrupt it?
- Is infinite economic growth on a finite planet a myth or a misunderstood goal?
Grading Criteria
Each essay is evaluated out of 100 points, according to international academic standards:
|
Criteria |
Maximum Points |
| Economic concepts and understanding | 20 |
| Analysis and argumentation | 20 |
| Question comprehension and relevance | 15 |
| Evidence and examples | 15 |
| Structure, clarity, and communication | 10 |
| Originality and independent thought | 10 |
| Referencing and academic style | 5 |
| Logical consistency and presentation | 5 |
This comprehensive grading system ensures that creativity, critical reasoning, and depth of thought are recognized alongside technical accuracy.
AWARDS
Overall award rate: 60%
Categories include:
- Winner
- Runner-up
- Highly Commended
- Commended
Award results will be announced in April 2026. Exceptional winners will receive an exclusive invitation to the MU Oxford Economics Global Championship, held at the University of Oxford.
MU Oxford Economics Global Championship
The Global Championship is an advanced academic experience designed for top performers from the MU Essay Competition. Students will participate in:
Academic Challenges
- Modeling Challenge: Develop quantitative models and apply them to real-world issues.
- Debate Challenge: Engage in structured debates on global economic controversies.
- Argumentation Challenge: Build persuasive arguments using economic theories.
- Presentation Challenge: Present and defend research before an academic panel.
Academic & Cultural Highlights
- Formal Dinner at Oxford – experience the iconic college dining tradition.
- Economics Lectures – led by professors and industry experts.
- Oxbridge Application Workshop – gain insights into admission processes, course structures, and interviews.
- Accommodation at Historic Oxford Colleges – immerse yourself in the academic heritage of one of the world’s greatest universities.
Winning participants may have the opportunity to publish their essays in international journals, gaining global recognition and expanding their academic portfolio.
Registration Details
Registration Deadline: January 11, 2026
Submission Deadline: March 15, 2026
The school sends the list of participating candidates to email enquiry@sooncheng.com – Subject: MU 2026.
Upon receiving confirmation from the organizing committee, the school sends a copy of the payment receipt for the exam fee to the bank as instructed.
For independent candidates, please contact SOON CHENG for registration guidance.
- WeChat: SeederStar_SC
- WhatsApp: +65 9695 5152 / +84 362 996 088
- Zalo: +65 9695 5152
- Website: https://sooncheng.com
- Email: enquiry@sooncheng.com
