The R.A. Butler Prize for essays in politics and international studies is an annual competition open to students in Year 12 or the Lower 6th. Established in memory of the former Master of Trinity College, Lord Butler, who most famously served as Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer, and who was responsible for the introduction of free secondary education for all students in the UK, this prize is jointly organised by Trinity College Cambridge and Cambridge University’s Department of Politics and International Studies.
The objectives of the R.A. Butler Prize are twofold. Firstly, it aims to encourage students with an interest in modern politics and world affairs to think about undertaking university studies in politics, international studies or a related discipline. It is not limited to those already studying these subjects or indeed other social sciences. Secondly, its intention is to recognise the achievements both of high-calibre students and those who teach them.
We received some fantastic entries, but a few stood out among the rest.
The 2025 R.A. Butler Prize winners are:
First prize: Lydia Davenport, Holmes Chapel Sixth Form College, Cheshire
Second prize: Daniel Zhang, The Hotchkiss School, Connecticut, USA
Special commendations were awarded to: Emma Allen (Stroud High Sixth Form, Stroud, Gloucestershire), James Best (The Harrodian School, London), Cindy Che (Whitley Bay High School, North Tyneside), Lola Godbehere (West Kirby Grammar School, Wirral), Geva Hill (The Knights Templar School, Baldock, Hertfordshire), Alexander Howlett (Cardiff High School, Cardiff), Gobind Kohli (Westminster School, London), Filipp Kvitko (Windermere Preparatory School, Florida, USA), Ronit Joseph Mendonca (St Paul's School, London), Marley Robinson (Hartland International School, Dubai, United Arab Emirates), Faris Sharaiha (St Paul's School, London), Albert Ziqian Wang (Basis International School Park Lane Harbor, Guangdong Province, China).
We would like to offer our congratulations to the winners and we would like to thank everyone who entered this year's competition.
Questions for the next round of the competition will be released in March 2026.
Read more about the R.A. Butler Prize