Set up by Creo and Sony Europe, the European Student Award celebrates emerging talent and the unique perspectives of those undertaking a photography programme.
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New for this year is the European Student Award, a programme set up by Creo and Sony Europe to offer student photographers the chance to showcase their talent and elevate their photography career.

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How it works
The European Student Award is open to photographers from across Europe who enter the main Student competition, providing even further opportunities for European photography students. The winner and four shortlisted photographers will be announced in Spring 2026.

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The winner and shortlist win a variety of prizes, including a showcase of their projects at the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition in London's Somerset House, a day of tailored workshops with industry experts to help progress their career, flights and accommodation to London for the Awards night and Sony Digital Imaging equipment.

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PRIZES

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* RECEIVE SONY DIGITAL IMAGING EQUIPMENT
* FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATION TO THE AWARDS CEREMONY IN LONDON
* GLOBAL PRESS EXPOSURE
* INCLUSION IN BOOK
* INCLUSION IN EXHIBITION

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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

> Open to all photographers entering the Student competition**

> Awards one photographer as the European Student Award winner and a shortlist of four

> Please see 'Rules' on the Student competition page for full eligibility criteria

> Deadline is November 28, 2025 at 13.00 GMT

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ENTER STUDENT COMPETITION

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THE STUDENT COMPETITION IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO HAVE THEIR TALENT SHOWN TO A GLOBAL AUDIENCE OF INDUSTRY LEADERS AND FROM THIS POINT, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY ORGANISATION, CAREERS CAN BE BUILT.

Scott Gray, CEO, Founder

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New this year: European Student Award

In addition to the Student competition, this year we have also introduced the European Student Award to the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 programme. Set up as a springboard for photography students based in Europe to help launch their careers, this initiative gives students an additional opportunity to be awarded. Learn more.

If your institution is not registered yet, you can register here. For a list of participating institutions please see here. For information relating to this year’s brief or any other questions please email Panos Pomonis at panos@creoarts.com

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For all photographers:

CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS! The Sony World Photography Awards are BACK for their 19th edition! No matter your level — beginner, student, or pro — there’s a category that’s perfect for you and your photography!

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● Professional (series)
● Open (single images)
● Student (series responding to 2026 brief ‘Together’)
● Youth (single images shot by photographers aged 19 and under)
And win extraordinary prizes, including:
● Up to $25,000
● Sony Digital Imaging equipment
● See your work included in must-see exhibitions in London and worldwide
● Build your profile as a photographer with local and international press coverage -
previous features included major media outlets
● Enjoy a glamorous black-tie Awards ceremony in London attended by industry
leaders, press and media
● Your work promoted to the World Photography Organisation community

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ENTER PHOTOGRAPHERS

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