Find your place in cyber.

How would you respond to a National Cyber Emergency?

Responding to a cyber incident is a complex task. Beyond the technological response there's considerations across business operations, government strategy, legal implications and more.

That's why future cyber leaders & teams need to be equipped to work multi-disciplinary.

This competition is for students from any academic background with an interest in cyber. You could be studying politics, law, computer science, geography or anything else (in 2025 we had students from 14 different subjects compete).

So, if you're interested in cyber, start forming your team today. Teams can be from across multiple academic disciplines (in fact, it's encouraged!) and from multiple UK universities.

Why compete?

Gain experience.

This is a practice-based exercise. You will be presenting to real cyber professionals, who do this for a living.

Meet employers.

Meet a variety of employers from the public & private sector, who are actively recruitment our competitors.

Discover the legal, political & strategic elements of cyber that are crucial to a successful career.

Explore a new side of cyber.

Competition Timeline.

Applications.

Oct - Dec 2025

University students form teams of 4 with support from an academic mentor and apply to the competition.

Regional Qualifiers.

Early Feb 2026

Teams put their skills to the test by presenting their response to Scenario Stage 1 to a panel of expert judges.

National Final.

Mid Mar 2026

The top 17 teams compete at the BT Tower, London to be crowned national champions in 3 rounds with increasing time pressure.

Ongoing Community.

All competitors are invited to join the Cyber Leaders Challenge Alumni community, supporting each other to progress in our cyber careers.

How to apply.

Eligibility criteria.

• Teams consist of 4 university students with an academic mentor (lecturer, PhD or research student).

• Each student must be enrolled on a taught course at a UK University.

• Each student must not be experienced working in cyber, politics or military service.

• Students with apprenticeship, internship or Year in Industry experience are still eligible.

• Regional Qualifiers will be held in across the UK & virtually. Teams will find out their location in early January.

• Finalist teams must attend the National Final at the BT Tower in-person. We will announce a Supporting Access Fund in January to help with travel & accommodation costs.

More details in the full Rulebook. Get in touch below if you have any questions.

Application process.

1. Team details.

2. Introduce your team and why you have chosen to apply to the Cyber Leaders Challenge this year. (500 words or 90 second video)

3. How would you describe the relationship between Cyber and Politics in the UK? How do you feel this relationship has changed in recent years? (500 words)

4. In your opinion, how does the sharing of threat intelligence and knowledge between nation states both help and hinder the UK in reaching its goals laid out in the National Cyber Strategy 2022? (500 words)

* Questions may change for the 2026 competition.

The 2025 competition has now concluded.

Applications for 2026 will open in October 2025.