Deadline: February 28, 2026
The Swift Student Challenge 2026 is now open for applications! This exciting annual competition by Apple offers an incredible opportunity for student developers across the world to showcase their creativity and coding skills using Swift. Participants are challenged to design innovative and meaningful app playgrounds that demonstrate not only technical ability but also imagination, social impact, and inclusivity.
About the Swift Student Challenge 2026
The Swift Student Challenge 2026 is a global initiative designed to inspire the next generation of developers. Organised by Apple, the challenge encourages students to create an interactive app playground built with Swift Playgrounds or Xcode. The aim is to celebrate ingenuity and empower learners who are passionate about coding, design, and technology.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Swift Student Challenge 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Not be employed full-time as a developer.
- Meet the minimum age requirement for their region (typically 13 years and above, with variations depending on country).
- Be one of the following at the time of submission:
- Enrolled in an accredited educational institution or official homeschool equivalent.
- Graduated within the past 90 days.
- Enrolled in a STEM organisation’s educational programme.
- Recently graduated from high school (within the past six months) and awaiting or accepted into higher study.
- Be registered with Apple as a free developer or be a member of the Apple Developer Programme.
Submission Requirements
Participants must submit an app playground (.swiftpm) packaged as a ZIP file, with a maximum size of 25 MB. The project must run entirely offline and include all resources locally.
Each submission must:
- Be created individually by the participant (no team entries are accepted).
- Be developed using Swift Playgrounds 4.6 or Xcode 26 (or newer).
- Include all content in English.
- Optionally support Apple Pencil for interactive experiences.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: 28 February 2026 (11:59 PM PST).
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their entries early to avoid technical issues before the deadline.
Awards and Benefits
Successful applicants will be recognised for their creativity, technical excellence, and innovation. Winners of the Swift Student Challenge 2026 will gain valuable exposure within the tech community and have the opportunity to enhance their portfolio and career prospects.
In addition, a select group of Distinguished Winners will receive an exclusive invitation to Apple’s campus in Cupertino, California. This three-day experience includes travel and accommodation, hands-on sessions with Apple engineers, and networking with other outstanding student developers — typically coinciding with Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
Why You Should Apply
The Swift Student Challenge 2026 is more than a competition — it’s a platform to demonstrate your coding potential and creativity to the world. Participants gain real-world experience, develop their skills in Swift, and join a global community of young innovators. This opportunity could be the stepping stone to a future in app development or technology entrepreneurship.
How to Apply
Students who are ready to put their coding skills to the test can submit their applications before the deadline.
👉 Click here to apply for the Swift Student Challenge 2026
👉 Read more about the programme
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