Oxford University Press launches Big Read 2025 with students from 15+ countries. Schools get free access to digital reading tools. Prizes and internship await.
In a powerful push to encourage reading habits among children and young adults, Oxford University Press (OUP) has officially launched the seventh edition of the Oxford Big Read Global Challenge—a creative, cross-cultural reading competition for school students across the world. The initiative, which has become a much-anticipated annual event, seeks to foster a deeper connection with books, build critical thinking, and nurture creativity among students from primary to secondary grades.
This year’s challenge is set to be bigger and more global than ever before, with participation open to students from over 15 countries, including India, Colombia, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, China, Mexico, Indonesia, and Pakistan, among others.
What the Challenge Involves
The Oxford Big Read Global Challenge encourages students to engage meaningfully with literature. Participants will be tasked with creating a book jacket, writing a critical review, or even comparing two books. These creative submissions are designed to help students reflect on what they read and express their understanding in thoughtful, innovative ways.
To ensure fair competition, students will be grouped into three levels based on their class:
- Level 1: Classes 1 to 3
- Level 2: Classes 4 to 6
- Level 3: Classes 7 to 9
Each group will have separate tasks and will be judged accordingly, providing age-appropriate challenges that also encourage skill-building.
Support and Incentives for Schools and Students
To make the reading experience more enriching and accessible, participating schools will receive complimentary access to Oxford Reading Buddy, a digital reading platform. Each school can enroll up to 100 students for a free one-month subscription, giving them access to a wide range of reading materials and digital resources that support comprehension and vocabulary development.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Students who perform well at the school level will win medals and certificates, while national winners stand a chance to represent India on a global stage. The global winners—selected from top-performing national candidates—will be rewarded with exciting prizes such as tablets, iPads, and for the top student in Level 3, an exclusive internship opportunity with Oxford University Press.
In addition to OUP prizes, Faber-Castell and Amazon have partnered to offer gift hampers and vouchers, making the challenge even more appealing. Furthermore, all school-level qualifiers will receive a three-month complimentary subscription to The Hindu’s Young World Club, which offers educational articles, activities, and reading resources tailored to young learners.
Key Dates and Registration Process
The Oxford Big Read Global Challenge is a school-led initiative. This means students can only participate through their schools, not individually. Schools wishing to register their students should take note of the important dates:
- Submission Deadline: October 30, 2025
- National Winners Announcement: November 30, 2025
- Global Winners Announcement: December 30, 2025
Schools are encouraged to get involved early and help their students explore reading through this international platform.
Bringing the World Closer Through Books
OUP’s initiative goes far beyond a traditional competition. It’s a celebration of reading, cultural diversity, and youth talent. By bringing together students from Asia, Latin America, and beyond, the Oxford Big Read Global Challenge aims to unite children through a shared love for literature.
The event is being supported in India by The Hindu Young World, which serves as the official media partner, helping to spread awareness and engagement among schools and young readers across the country.
With its thoughtfully structured activities, global outlook, and meaningful rewards, the Oxford Big Read Global Challenge offers not just recognition, but also inspiration — encouraging students to open a book and, perhaps, open a new chapter in their learning journey.
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