Win a £1,500 Financial Modelling Course with Bayfield Training

Take part in The Land Collective’s 5th Annual Essay Writing Competition for a chance to win incredible prizes, including a place on Bayfield Training’s renowned Financial Modelling course, worth £1,500. Plus, get your essay published on our platforms and gain recognition in the real estate sector.

Since its launch, this competition has helped ambitious students and graduates showcase their talents, connect with the industry, and access career-enhancing opportunities.

our why

At The Land Collective, we believe in creating opportunities that empower students and graduates to explore their potential. The Essay Writing Competition was born out of our commitment to:

Encourage critical thinking on relevant industry challenges.
Promote diversity in perspectives and ideas within the real estate sector.
Support emerging talent by connecting young thinkers with industry leaders.

Now in its fifth year, this competition has become a platform for future professionals to share their voices, gain recognition, and access life-changing learning opportunities.

With the generous support of Bayfield Training, we continue to open doors for students and graduates to thrive.

THIS YEAR'S TOPIC

The Impact of Data Centre Growth on Commercial Real Estate: Opportunities and Challenges for Urban and Suburban Development

This topic invites you to explore the dynamic relationship between the growth of data centres and commercial real estate. With data centres playing an increasingly vital role in our digital world, their expansion brings both opportunities and challenges for urban and suburban areas.

You have free reign to interpret and approach this topic in a way that reflects your unique perspective. Some areas you may wish to consider include:

How data centres influence urban planning and land use.
The economic, social, and environmental impact of data centres on local communities.
Opportunities for innovation and investment in commercial real estate related to data centres.
Challenges such as energy consumption, infrastructure demands, and zoning regulations.

These are just suggestions; you’re not required to cover them all. We encourage you to think critically, be creative, and develop an argument or narrative that resonates with your interests and understanding of the real estate market.

The key is to demonstrate your commercial awareness, analytical skills, and ability to present a compelling case on this timely subject.

COMPETITION DETAILS

Who Can Enter?

Current college/sixth form students.
University students.
Recent graduates (completed studies in June/September 2024).
Members of The Land Collective community.

Prizes:

Winner:
- A place on the Virtual Real Estate Analyst: Financial Modelling in Excel course (worth £1,500, CPD accredited).
- Your essay published on The Land Collective and Bayfield Training websites.
- A £100 voucher of your choice.
Runner-up:
- Your essay published on The Land Collective website.
- A £50 voucher of your choice.
All Participants:
- Free access to Bayfield Training’s online Excel course.

COMPETITION RULES

Your essay must be between 800-1,000 words max.
You must answer the question as specified above.
Your essay must be uploaded in a PDF, without your name appearing in the document.
The deadline for the receipt of entries is 17:00 GMT on Thursday 20th April 2025. Please note that late entries cannot be accepted.
The winner will be announced on Tuesday 16th May 2025.
Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to provide feedback on unsuccessful entries.
The winner must be willing to be in any publicity that we or Bayfield publish related to the prize, which can include picture, name, testimonial by video and/or writing etc.
Winners are entitled to refer to the achievement on their CV.
Important Note: The essay must be the exclusive creation and entirely original work of the entrant. The use of AI tools is strictly prohibited, and any instance of plagiarism will lead to immediate disqualification.

our previous winners

2024:

Winner: Alexander Martin, Investment & Finance in Property at University of Reading
Runner Up: Jan Osiecki, MSc Real Estate Student at University of Reading
Runner Up: Moses Okechukwu, Year 13 Student at Hills Road Sixth Form College

2023:

Winner: Neelabh Datta, Biochemistry at University of Calcutta
Runner Up: Helena Thornton, Real Estate at University of Reading
Runner Up: Kolatat Phaiboonnukulkij, Real Estate at University of Reading

2022:

Winner: Dylan Francis Mackie, Business at University of Strathclyde
Runner Up: Henry Griffiths, MSc Real Estate at University of Reading
Runner Up: Patricia Fung, Sustainable Urbanism at University College London

2021:

Winner: Jared Harvey, MSc Real Estate at University of Reading
Runner Up: Jasper Whitefield, MSc Real Estate at University of Reading
Runner Up: Cameron Bell,Real Estate at University of Reading

ready to submit your entry?