Skip to main content
University of Texas at Austin
University Interscholastic League Logo
University Interscholastic League Logo

The University Interscholastic League offers the most comprehensive program of academic competition in the nation. UIL Academics offers more activities than any other UIL division, with 30 contests at the high school level and 20 A+ Academic contests for grades 2-8. More than half a million students participate in UIL academic contests each year.

These activities, which exist to complement the academic curriculum, are designed to motivate students as they acquire higher levels of knowledge, to challenge students to confront issues of importance, and to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of specific skills. Students are challenged to think critically and creatively, exhibiting much more than knowledge and comprehension.

Academics News & Updates

April 12, 2024
UIL Essay Competition Finalists are Announced!

Congratulations to the 2023-24 essay finalists and to all contestants who participated in the competition! View the 24 essay finalists here

February 16, 2024
Good luck to all essay contest contestants!

Thank you to all students who submitted an essay for the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition and Latino History Essay Competition. The finalists for these two events will be contacted by mid-April, and a list of these finalists will be posted on the UIL essay contest homepage. 

January 29, 2024
UIL Essay Competition Deadline

The deadline to enter the essay competitions is February 14th, so make sure to submit your essay here. One essay could qualify you as a UIL state finalist!

September 07, 2023
Meet planning, Student Activities Conferences and contest updates
The UIL academic staff looks forward to working with you in the year ahead. Please check our website for current information and forms, but feel free to contact us when you have questions or need assistance. Click here for information that will help get the year started.
August 14, 2023
2023 Fall Student Activities Conferences

Fall Student Activities Conferences are BACK and FREE to attend! Join us in Odessa, Austin, Prosper or Corpus Christi for a full day of intensive sessions focused on all UIL academic topics - including theatre, STEM as well as speech and debate. Sessions are designed for beginning students, advanced students, coaches and academic coordinators to help prepare for upcoming contests. More Info: https://bit.ly/3e6sg4l

Register as high school
Academic coordinator

(Coordinators for elementary and middle schools register under A+ Academics.)

UIL Essay Competitions

Barbara Jordan Historical Essay and Latino History Essay Competitions