UCL Impromptu Public Speaking Competition

Three topics. Fifteen minutes. Three minutes to speak. No script. Think you can do it?

The UCL Impromptu Public Speaking Competition is open to every UCL student. You don’t need any experience, and you don’t need to be a member of any society. On the day, you pick one of three topics, take 15 minutes to prepare, and then give a three-minute speech to a live audience and a panel of three judges.

The competition follows the format and criteria of the English-Speaking Union (ESU). Our judges come from the ESU’s own pool of judges and competition leads, so experienced public speakers will be assessing your speech. It’s a rare chance to test yourself in a real competition and find out what you’re capable of under pressure.

AI can now hand us ideas on demand, so this is a chance to trust your own. You’ll build an argument on the spot, organise it clearly and make a compelling case in your own voice. You’ll use that same skill in every interview, presentation and seminar.

The best speaker takes home a trophy.

📍Where: Darwin Building, rooms B05 and B15
⏰ When: Saturday 21 November 2026
Schedule
10:00 – Welcome and Round 1
12:00 – Lunch break
13:00 – Round 2
The winner is announced at the end of each half.

Free to enter, with places for up to 24 speakers. Sign up here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=_oivH5ipW0yTySEKEdmlwmvHk0la2ftPhuOuPU5okWVUMDRZSEI1OTVVUTBTRldKSTZEVUNHT1E4Uy4u

Not speaking? Come and watch. Spectators are welcome to drop in and out throughout the day.