Are you an international student looking to boost your profile? If yes, then Opportunities Circle is here to fulfil your need. We have compiled a list of Top Competitions for international students 2025-26. These international competitions are available for different levels. International competitions are the opportunities where students will be able to show their knowledge, skills, abilities, and creativity in their specific field and get acknowledgement. But competitions at international level with prizes are something different. Participating in these international competitions can be life changing for students. It will help them in their future career and academic journey, too. These competitions for international students will also open their ways to other opportunities, including different international scholarships, traineeships and internships.
For students, international competitions can be a unique way to gain international recognition, create a strong portfolio, and expand their network. Through participating in these top competitions for international students 2025-26, students will be able to meet and connect with like-minded peers and professionals. These connections will help them in learning and gaining knowledge, furthermore it will also help them in future. They will make contacts and gain exposure to some of the top colleges and corporations worldwide thanks to these international competitions.
There are different types of competitions, some competitions are fully funded, some are partially funded and some competitions offer money prizes, scholarships, certificates and many more. Different institutes provides different types of competitions. Usually the fully funded competitions are onsite competitions. While many competitions are online, where students can participate easily by sitting at their home and win different prizes through these top competitions for international students. Online competitions have become very popular among students all over the world. These online contests provide students a unique opportunity where they can participate, and compete easily.
These international competitions are available in almost all fields. These top competitions are available in science, technology, academic, business, arts, STEM, and many other field. STEM competitions are perfect for those who are students interested in creating solutions to real-world issues. Furthermore there are also many photography, painting, and essay writing competitions. Different photography competitions are very popular among students, these days. Furthermore, there are many SDG’s competitions, which inspires students to work for their planet and win prizes. Following is the list of Top competitions for international students 2025-26:
Importance of International Competitions:
Competitions are very important for international students. These are not just about winning prizes, certificates or cash, they are about gaining skills and experiences. Another benefit of these top competitions for international students are the opportunity to create a global network. Furthermore, competitions will also help them in securing scholarships. Many top competitions offer scholarships to winners, making it an excellent opportunity to fulfil their dream of studying abroad. Moreover, it will also boost your academic profile, which is mostly needed in every scholarship or admission application of top universities. For those who wants to make a difference, these international competitions offer a chance to turn your ideas into pans and, and world-changing initiatives.
List of Top Competitions for International Students 2025:
European Union Youth Startup Competition 2025
Do you meet the eligibility criteria above? If yes, make sure to apply for the 2025 Youth Start-up Competition before time runs out. Before you apply, read the various benefits this European Union Youth Startup Competition offers young entrepreneurs.
Benefits of European Commission Startup Contest:
- The YSC winner and finalists will attend the SME Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 10–12 November 2025.
- During the Youth Startup Competition session at the SME Assembly, finalists will have to pitch their startup ideas live to the jury and audience.
- It is an excellent opportunity to showcase innovation and entrepreneurial skills.
- Startups will receive recognition and validation of their startup concept on a European platform.
- In addition, participating in the SME Assembly 2025 offers more than just exposure. It provides a valuable opportunity to network with potential investors and partners.
- The event includes workshops, panel discussions and networking sessions where young entrepreneurs can gain insights, expand their knowledge and develop collaborations with industry experts.
- Deadline: September 20, 2025
UNESCO Photo Contest 2025 | Chance to Win a Free Camera
Do you meet the criteria above and have what it takes to be a part of this photography contest? If your answer is yes, then keep on reading the various benefits the UNESCO Photo Competition offers its participants.
Benefits of the UNESCO Photo Contest:
- The UNESCO contest is the best platform for youngsters to showcase their talent and skills.
- It offers participants the chance to win a professional or semi-professional camera, which is otherwise costly to buy.
- Furthermore, the UNESCO Photo Contest is a fantastic photography competition for youth from around the globe.
- It promotes creativity and unique ideas.
- The First award will be a professional camera
- The Second award winner will receive a semi-professional camera.
- Similarly, the Third award will be a standard model digital camera.
- Deadline: July 20, 2025
UN Tourism Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge 2025
Do you meet the eligibility criteria above? If you do, you must apply for the UN Tourism Global Artificial Intelligence and Deep Tech Challenge. Keep on reading to know more about the benefits this international challenge offers.
Benefits of UN Tourism Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge:
- Winners will gain exposure by presenting their pitches at the UN Tourism Demo Day.
- They will also receive a two-month incubation period at SPARK Innovation Sphere.
- Similarly, winners will have access to more than 90 venture capitalists.
- The UN Global Artificial Intelligence Challenge offers a fantastic opportunity to engage with leading companies and over 150 countries.
- Winners will also receive personalized mentoring programs and the possibility of a pilot project with collaborators from private sector companies and institutions.
- Moreover, startups will have a profile on Playbook, an invitation to participate in the Silicon Valley Summit and access to talent and synergies within the Plug and Play Portfolio.
- It is a fantastic UN program for people and startups focusing on the tourism sector.
- Deadline: March 31, 2025
Entrepreneurship World Cup 2025 | Up to $1.5 Million
Do you meet the eligibility criteria above? If yes, you would not want to miss this paid competition. Keep reading to know more about the various benefits this entrepreneurship award offers and the prizes you can get.
Benefits of the Entrepreneurship World Cup 2025:
- The international competition offers cash prizes to all winners, including a total of $1.5 million in cash or investment.
- It also provides in-kind support for the top 100 global finalists.
- There is no entry fee, applicants can apply free of cost.
- The EWC 2025 is a fantastic business competition that provides networking opportunities, resources and mentorship.
Global Finals Cash Prizes (Early Stage):
- Early Stage Champion: $250,000
- 2nd Place: $200,000
- 3rd Place: $150,000
- 4th Place: $100,000
- 5th Place: $50,000
Global Finals Cash Prizes (Growth Stage):
- Growth Stage Champion: $175,000
- 2nd Place: $100,000
Global Finals Cash Prizes (Sector-specific):
- SpaceTech for Mining: $100,000
- SpaceTech for Sports Analytics: $100,000
- SpaceTech for Health Monitoring: $100,000
- SpaceTech for Agriculture + Resource Management: $100,000
Global Finals Cash Prizes (Idea Stage):
- Idea Stage Champion: $50,000
- 2nd Place: $25,000
- Deadline: June 30, 2025
NASA Beyond the Algorithm Challenge 2025 | Up to $100,000
Do you meet the eligibility criteria above? If yes, you would not want to miss this competition by NASA. Keep on reading to know more about the benefits of this Beyond the Algorithm Challenge. Opportunities Circle has listed the benefits below.
Benefits of NASA Beyond the Algorithm Challenge:
- The NASA Beyond the Algorithm Challenge offers various benefits to participants. It is a paid competition where participants will win cash prizes.
- Top three winning solutions will receive $100,000 each.
- Participants gain skills that help protect and support communities affected by flooding.
- Similarly, this challenge offers a unique opportunity to explore flood analysis through various fields of study.
- Participants will have the chance to work alongside government agencies like NASA, non-profit organizations and private entities.
- By participating in this competition, applicants will be able to apply their skills in new contexts.
- Deadline: July 25, 2025
Deloitte Photo Grant 2025 | Win up to €20,000
Do you meet the eligibility criteria and requirements above? If yes, you would not want to miss the Deloitte Photo Grant Award. Continue reading to know more about the benefits of participating in this competition.
Benefits of Deloitte Photo Grant:
- It is a paid competition that offers winners a chance to win cash prizes.
- The selected winner will receive a grant of €20,000 to carry out their proposed photography project.
- The completed project will also be presented as an exhibition during the 2026 edition of the award.
- Moreover, the winner of this competition will have the opportunity to exhibit their work at Triennale Milan from November 2025.
- They will also get travel and accommodation in Milan. Hence, applicants do not need to worry about financial constraints.
- It is a fantastic paid photography competition that you should not miss.
- The Deloitte Photo Grant offers visibility with international and known jurors.
- All photographers will gain exposure for their work and ideas.
- Deadline: June 30, 2025
Photography 4 Humanity Global Prize 2025 | Win $5,000
If you meet the eligibility criteria above, you will not want to miss these photography contests. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of the 2025 Global Prize Competition.
Benefits of Photography 4 Humanity Global Prize 2025:
- The 2025 Global Prize winner will receive $5,000 USD.
- The Global prize competition recipient, top 10 finalists, and top 20 Honorable mentions will get an opportunity to be exhibited globally via UN.org.
- It is an amazing opportunity for photographers to showcase their skills on an international platform.
- Deadline: August 5, 2025
InfraVision International Competition 2025 | Win Up to €10,000
If you meet the eligibility criteria above, you will not want to miss this international competition 2025. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of the Schneider Competition 2025.
Benefits of the InfraVision International Competition 2025:
- There will be three winners of this online competition.
- The first winner will get a prize of 10,000 euros.
- The 2nd-placed team will get 7,000.
- The 3rd-placed team will get 3,000 euros.
- It is an amazing paid opportunity for international students.
- Deadline: July 30, 2025
Taiwan OCA/GEEP Youth Innovation Challenge 2025 | Win $1,000 & Trip to Taiwan
Do you meet the eligibility criteria above? If so, you should not miss this youth innovation competition. Keep on reading to know more about the benefits. Opportunities Circle has listed the benefits below.
Benefits of the Taiwan OCA/GEEP Youth Innovation Challenge 2025:
- The program will select 15 YIC finalists, and all of them will receive an official YIC finalist certificate and recognition through GEEP, NAAEE, & other global partners’ social media pages and websites.
- Out of these 15 YIC finalists, only three winners will be selected.
- In addition, each of these 3 winners will receive a $1,000 USD prize.
- They will also be invited to attend the YIC award ceremony in Taipei, Taiwan, in October 2025.
- It will also cover all the travel expenses related to their participation in the award ceremony.
- Deadline: June 30, 2025
Educating the Eye Photography Contest 2025 | Win up to €5,000
If you meet the eligibility criteria above, you would not want to miss these paid photography competitions. Keep on reading to know what benefits this competition provides and the prizes it offers.
Benefits of Educating the Eye Photography Contest:
- It is a paid contest that offers cash prizes to winners.
- A total prize of €5,000 will be divided between the top five winning projects.
- The first prize winner will receive €2,000.
- The second prize winner will receive €1,000.
- Similarly, the third prize winner will get €500, the young prize author (under 35 years) will get €750 and the local prize winner will win €750.
- It is a fantastic competition for photographers to showcase their skills.
- The winning projects will also be presented on the official website.
- Deadline: June 22, 2025
UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2025 | Up to $30,000
If you meet the eligibility criteria above, you would not want to miss these literacy prizes. Keep on reading to know more about the various benefits of this United Nations award. Opportunities Circle has listed the benefits below.
Benefits of UNESCO International Literacy Prizes:
- Participants will win cash prizes and various other benefits.
- Winners of the King Sejong Literacy Prize will receive a medal, diploma and a prize of $20,000.
- Moreover, winners of the Confucius Prize for Literacy will get a diploma, medal and a cash prize of $30,000. Hence providing generous financial benefits.
- These UNESCO international prizes promote impactful literacy practices and the development of literate communities globally.
- Deadline: June 27, 2025
If you are an international student or youth, this article should have given you a lot of great ideas for top international competitions to enter! There are so many competitions out there for you to get involved in. whether you want to compete in business, science, arts, photography, music, there are plenty of opportunities out there in almost all fields. We hope that our list of top competitions for international students 2025 has helped you make your research to find the best competition according to your interest by giving you access to information about competitions near home as well as ones abroad. So what’s stopping you? Go ahead and submit your application today. don’t forget to share this guide on international competition for students with your friends!
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