Science Photography Competition
Open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students across the Faculty of Science. No professional photography experience is required. We are looking for your unique perspective on science.
The Faculty of Science Photography Competition celebrates the many ways students contribute to scientific discovery, research, innovation, and understanding our world. Whether in the laboratory, field, natural environment, through technology, or data-driven research, we invite students to share compelling visual stories of science in action. Competition closes 31 October 2026.
Competition Categories
| Science in Action | Photographs capturing science as it happens, whether in the natural world, the laboratory, the field, or a research workplace. |
| Science Close-Up | Images revealing aspects of science not easily visible to the naked eye, including microscopy, macro photography, astronomical imaging, or scientific instruments. |
| Science as Art | Images that illustrate the beauty of science or show natural subjects in abstract ways, judged primarily on aesthetic value. |
| People in Science | Portraits and photographs that highlight the human side of science, including researchers, students, technicians, advisors, and collaborators at work. Including people as the subject of research. |
| Wildlife, Nature & Biodiversity | Photographs featuring plants, animals, ecosystems, or natural environments that contribute to our understanding and appreciation of biodiversity. |
| AI, Computational Imagery & Data-Driven Visualisation | Visual works created using artificial intelligence, computational techniques, simulations, or scientific data visualisation that explore, interpret, or communicate scientific concepts and discoveries. |
Submit Your Entry
Terms & Conditions
Rules & Eligibility
The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students within the Faculty of Science.
Participants must be the sole creator of all submitted work and hold full copyright.
Entries must not contain watermarks, signatures, or the photographer’s name.
Each entry must include a scientific description explaining the image and its significance.
Participants must follow ethical photographic practices and avoid disturbing wildlife, damaging environments, disrupting research activities, or placing people at risk.
Original files should be retained as proof of authenticity if requested.
Minimal editing such as cropping and basic adjustments is permitted.
Significant manipulation is discouraged except where appropriate for the AI, Computational Imagery & Data-Driven Visualisation category.
There is no limit to the number of entries that may be submitted. Each image must be submitted separately through the online entry form.
Copyright, Licensing & Use of Images
Participants retain full copyright of their submitted images.
By entering the competition, participants grant the Faculty of Science permission to use, publish, reproduce, and promote submitted images for educational, research, communication, outreach, and promotional purposes related to the Faculty and its activities.
Submitted images may be shared under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence, allowing others to use and adapt the work with appropriate attribution.
Entrants submitting work to the AI, Computational Imagery & Data-Driven Visualisation category must disclose any AI tools, computational methods, or datasets used in the creation of the image.
Where submissions include identifiable individuals, sensitive research environments, or protected species and locations, participants are responsible for ensuring that all permissions, ethical requirements, and institutional policies have been followed.
Technical Specifications
Accepted formats: JPG, JPEG, TIFF, or PNG.
Images should be high resolution, ideally at least 8 megapixels.
Entries should accurately represent the subject matter.
Diversity of scientific disciplines and perspectives is encouraged.
Prizes & Recognition
Prizes will be announced separately.
Winning and selected images may be featured on Faculty of Science communication platforms, including the website, social media channels, and the Science Matters newsletter. Selected works may also be exhibited within the Faculty.
Competition Conditions
The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The Faculty of Science reserves the right not to award a prize in any category, or not to appoint an overall winner, if entries do not meet the required standard.
The Faculty of Science reserves the right to amend competition arrangements, judging processes, and prize allocations where necessary.
Submission of an entry constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.
Questions? - If you have any questions about the competition, eligibility requirements, submission process, or competition categories, please email science-marketing@uct.ac.za