Somerset Student Shortlisted for Prestigious John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize

Written by Alicia Renfrew, Head of Marketing and Communication

We are proud to share that Somerset College student Jackson has been shortlisted in the Economics category of the John Locke Institute 2025 Global Essay Prize, an extraordinary achievement given the competition attracted over 63,000 entrants worldwide.

The John Locke Institute Essay Competition is one of the most distinguished global platforms for pre-university students, encouraging critical thinking, research, and persuasive argumentation across a range of disciplines, including philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, and more. To be recognised among such a large and talented field is a testament to Jackson’s intellectual curiosity and academic ability.

Jackson’s Essay: A Rigorous Economic Analysis

Jackson’s shortlisted essay explored the provocative question:
“Should Oxford lower its admissions standards for the sons and daughters of generous benefactors?”

His approach combined both economic modelling and critical analysis:

Economic Benefits Considered: Jackson examined whether donor-linked admissions might generate increased liquid income to support teaching and address structural deficits.
Trade-offs Explored: He analysed the risks, including reputational damage, the declining marginal utility of excess donations, and the threat to academic integrity.
Data-Driven Insights: Using two decades of publicly available financial data from Oxford University, Jackson charted trends in investment income, donation income, and operating surpluses. His research revealed that Oxford has consistently maintained a net operating surplus, with investment income (which overtook donations after 2017–18) providing a more stable and resilient revenue stream. Even during shocks such as the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Oxford’s diversified investment strategy proved sufficient to sustain operations without the need for systematic donor-linked admissions.
His conclusion was clear: donor-linked admissions are neither economically necessary nor rational for Oxford, given the university’s strong and resilient financial position.

Celebrating Achievement

Jackson’s success demonstrates the strength of Somerset’s culture of inquiry, analysis, and global outlook. It also highlights the importance of encouraging young people to tackle complex and sometimes controversial questions with rigour, evidence, and intellectual honesty.

We are immensely proud of Jackson and look forward to following his journey as he continues to explore the intersections of economics, ethics, and education policy.

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