About 

Extended deadline: 12th January

PLANCKS “Physics League Across Numerous Countries for Kick-Ass Students” is an international written theoretical physics competition run by the International Association of Physics Students (IAPS). Each year the UK and Ireland run preliminaries supported by the IOP and a different student group each year.

Teams of 3-4 students compete to solve a set of fun and challenging physics problems across four hours. The winners represent their university and the UK & Ireland, competing for a EU1000 prize at the international finals hosted in Barcelona, May 2026.

In February 2026, members of the IOP Student Community will be hosting the 2025 UK and Ireland PLANCKS preliminaries at University of Kent, to determine who will represent us at the international finals. The UK and Ireland have hosted the largest preliminaries in the world for several years running, and our finalists have gone on to win the international finals. The winners of the preliminaries receive fully-funded participation fees to the international competition as well as recognition amongst the IOP Student Community.

This year participants are allowed to register as individuals, in pairs, or the traditional team of 3 or 4; individuals and pairs which will be joined with other teams to meet the IAPS required team size of 3 to 4 team members. It’s an excellent opportunity for you to meet your peers across the UK and Ireland and share your passion for physics and problem-solving***.

We promise a fun-filled weekend of thought-provoking discussions, engaging lectures, and the chance to meet fellow physics students. For more information check out our website plancks.uk.

You can also contact organisers directly via email at PLANCKS@physics.org

Please note: this will be an in-person event and we cannot guarantee accommodation for all teams who register. We will aim to ensure every university that applies has representation at the event and decisions on priority will be made by the IOP and the PLANCKS Organising Committee.

***Before registering as an individual, we do ask that you consider first seeking other players to join your team at your university, in your year or other years (for example by attending a Physoc event and asking around); however if it isn't possible this year, don't worry - just follow the steps to registration to join a composite team.