The All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam is commonly considered one of the most difficult academic assessments in the world. It is organised by All Souls College at the University of Oxford and is intended to recognise individuals with remarkable intellectual potential. The exam encourages critical thinking, broad knowledge, and innovation, particularly through its famed “One Word Essay,” which continues to attract some of academia’s greatest minds.
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About the All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam
The All Souls Prize Fellowship Examination is regarded as one of the most cognitively rigorous and prestigious tests in the world. This examination, administered by All Souls College at the University of Oxford, awards up to two fellowships each year, making the selection process exceedingly competitive and elite.
Purpose of the Exam
To identify and select individuals with exceptional academic promise for a 7-year Prize Fellowship at All Souls College. The fellowship provides:
- Accommodation in Oxford
- A stipend
- The opportunity to pursue independent research with no formal teaching or publication requirements
Exam Format
The exam is essay-based and consists of four written papers over two days:
1. Two Subject Papers (Specialist)
Candidates select a subject they studied (e.g., History, Law, Philosophy, Economics, etc.).
- Duration: 3 hours each
- Format: Answer 3 out of ~12 essay questions
2. Two General Papers (Open)
These tests test reasoning, creativity, and broad intellectual engagement.
- Duration: 3 hours each
- Format: Answer 3 out of ~12 essay questions
One of these papers involves the well-known “One Word Essay” in which the candidate is given a single word (e.g., “Revolution”, “Mercy”, “Style”, “Hope”) and is required to compose a whole essay on it.
Syllabus
There’s no fixed syllabus. However, you should:
- Be extremely well-read in your subject area
- Develop strong critical thinking and argumentation skills
- Be capable of writing fluent, thought-provoking essays on abstract or philosophical topics
Who Can Apply?
- Recent graduates (typically first-class honours) of Oxford or other recognised universities
- Mostly from the Humanities or Social Sciences disciplines
- Candidates must be within 2–3 years of their undergraduate degree
Exam Dates & Process
Application Timeline:
- Application opens: August
- Deadline: September
- Exam Dates: Usually in Late September or Early October
- Interviews (if shortlisted): November
Selection Process:
- Written Exam (4 papers)
- Interview (only for shortlisted candidates)
- Final Selection: Typically, 1 or 2 Fellows are chosen each year
Why It’s So Tough:
- Fewer than 2% of applicants succeed
- Requires brilliant writing, deep understanding of abstract issues, and broad thinking
- “One Word Essay” challenges even the brightest minds to be creative under pressure
Resources to Prepare:
- All Souls College official site
- Past exam papers (available on their site)
- Read widely across philosophy, history, current affairs, and classical literature
- Practice essay writing under timed conditions
Conclusion
The All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam is one of the most cognitively challenging and prestigious academic competitions in the world. With only one or two fellows chosen each year, it necessitates extraordinary analytical ability, extensive topic knowledge, and outstanding essay writing abilities. The addition of the unique “One Word Essay” demonstrates the exam’s emphasis on originality, clarity of thought, and inventiveness. For students with a flair for study and independent research, this fellowship provides a unique and distinguished entry into the academic environment at Oxford.
