01
International from round one
Students around the world receive the same problems in every round, creating a fair and genuinely global benchmark.
2026 edition · Room D207Anchor University · Lagos · Online worldwide
Think beyond the universe.
The Anchor University International Physics Competition brings the 2026 IPhyC to Lagos. Hosted at Physics Laboratory, Room D207 and open to high school and university students worldwide through the official online rounds.
Hosted by Anchor University · Qualification free · Submit online
Submission closes1 Nov 2026
Competition formatThree rounds
WhereOnline worldwide
What IPhyC is
Physics is a way of thinking. IPhyC is where you practise it.
“All you need is a pen, paper, and an internet connection to participate.”
IPhyC vision and values
Hosted by Anchor UniversityCoordinated by HK TutorsFounded 2025
The International Physics Competition is an educational science competition for students who want to look beyond the standard curriculum. It is organised annually, entirely online, and designed to make serious physics accessible from anywhere.
Across three rounds, participants move from a broad problem paper to a supervised research-based exam and, for the strongest, a fast-paced final. The aim is not just to rank students—it is to give them better problems to think with.
02
Real research, not just theory
The Semi-Final is built around a real scientific paper, giving many participants their first encounter with current research.
03
Accessible by design
The first round is free, online, and open to individual students. A teacher is helpful, but never a requirement to enter.
04
Learning comes first
Problems are pitched at different levels so that newcomers and experienced competitors both find something worth thinking about.
Hosted by Anchor University
The host venue
Physics Laboratory.Room D207.
Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos, Nigeria
Host institution
Anchor University
Campus
Ayobo, Lagos
Competition mode
Online IPhyC rounds
Qualification Round campus session
Friday, 30 October 2026
3:00–4:30 PM
Physics Laboratory, Room D207
Open to students from
- Physics Department
- Nursing
- Public Health
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Computing Department
- JUPEB
- Diploma Science Programmes
The on-campus session supports the Qualification Round. The official submission remains online through IPhyC.
Local coordination · HK Tutors
Partners & coordination
A local team.An international competition.
The Anchor University edition connects an international competition, a host institution, and a local coordinating team. Each role is distinct.
International competition01
International Physics Competition
Owns and runs the official IPhyC rounds, rules, problem sheets, evaluation, and international awards. All competition decisions remain with the official IPhyC organisers.
Host institution02
Anchor University
Hosts the Anchor University edition at Physics Laboratory, Room D207, Ayobo, Lagos. The University provides the campus base and local hosting context for the 2026 initiative.
Local coordinating organisation03
High Knowledge Tutors
Coordinates and facilitates the Anchor University initiative, supports local outreach, and directs students and schools to the official IPhyC resources. High Knowledge Tutors does not own or internationally organise IPhyC.
Partner04
MyFund
MyFund is a Nigerian savings and property co-ownership app from Vcorp Systems Limited, focused on student housing and long-term saving. The app is available on Google Play.
Role clarity: High Knowledge Tutors coordinates the Anchor University initiative locally. The official competition rules, evaluation, prizes, and problem materials remain with the International Physics Competition. No other partner is implied by this page.
International rules · Local coordinationThe competition
Three rounds. One rigorous path.
Each round asks something different: breadth, research, and speed. Every stage is online, and every participant starts with the same problems.
Open now
Qualification Round
Submit by 1 November 2026
Five problems across the breadth of physics. Some test knowledge, others demand calculation and careful reasoning. There is no entry fee and no registration step before you submit.
- Problems
- Five
- Total points
- 25
- Qualify with
- 15 / 17 / 20 pts
- Entry fee
- Free
- Results
- 16 Nov 2026
For qualified participants
Semi-Final Round
Exam window: 13–15 December 2026
A supervised 60-minute exam built around a real-world research paper. Qualified participants register, prepare with the paper, then solve problems on paper and scan their answers.
- Format
- 60-min supervised exam
- Research paper
- Released 11 Dec 2026
- Maximum score
- 28 points
- Registration
- 12 EUR
- Register by
- 8 Dec 2026
The last problem set
Final Round
Exam day: 12 January 2027
A single online exam of around 30 short-answer and multiple-choice questions. It draws on physics across all fields and the content of the earlier rounds.
- Date
- 12 Jan 2027
- Format
- Online, supervised
- Questions
- Around 30
- Results
- 18 Jan 2027
03
Rounds
11
Physics fields
USD 1,500
Awards & prizes
Online
From anywhere
Deadline 1 Nov 2026 · 23:59 UTC+0
All key datesDates reflect the official IPhyC 2026 timetable. Always check the official timetable before making travel or exam arrangements.
Physics topics
One subject. Eleven ways in.
The official IPhyC materials span classical mechanics to plasma physics. You do not need to master every field before you start—you need to be willing to think across them.
FIELD / 01
Mechanics
Motion, forces, and the rules of motion
F = ma
FIELD / 02
Electrodynamics
Fields, charges, and light
∇ × E = −∂B/∂t
FIELD / 03
Quantum Mechanics
Where matter becomes a wave
Δx Δp ≥ ℏ/2
FIELD / 04
Astrophysics
Physics at the largest scales
H² = (8πG/3)ρ − kc²/a² + Λc²/3
Fields and equations are drawn from the official IPhyC training resources and homepage.
Official training guideEligibility
If you are a student, you can enter.
High school and university students from every country are eligible. You compete in one of three age groups, with the same problems but different qualification thresholds.
Age group / A
Junior
10th grade and below
Qualify for the Semi-Final with
15points
The same problem set as every other group, with the Junior qualification threshold.
Age group / B
Youth
11th–13th grade, or at least 16 years old
Qualify for the Semi-Final with
17points
Designed for students in the upper years of secondary school.
Age group / C
Senior
First year of college or university and above, or at least 19 years old
Qualify for the Semi-Final with
20points
University students and older participants compete in the Senior group.
Your group is fixed by your age or grade on Sunday, 1 November 2026.
Qualification is free
From problem sheet to final.
Four steps- 01
Download the problems
The 2026 Qualification Round paper contains five problems. You can work on paper, type your solutions, or annotate the sheet.
- 02
Submit one file
Upload a single PDF or clear image through the official submission form by 1 November 2026, 23:59 UTC+0. No prior registration is required.
- 03
Qualify and register
Qualification results arrive on 16 November 2026. If you meet your age group's threshold, you can register for the Semi-Final from your participant account.
- 04
Compete in the Semi-Final
Prepare with the research paper, sit the supervised 60-minute exam between 13 and 15 December 2026, and upload your written solutions.
Qualification is free. The Semi-Final registration fee is 12 EUR, with limited financial aid available.
Fees & financial aidAwards & recognition
Serious thinking deserves recognition.
The 2026 awards programme includes international cash prizes, national awards, honours, and a certificate for every participant.
Prize value / 2026
1,500
USD in prizes & awards
Nine international cash prizes across the Senior, Youth, and Junior groups, plus honours and national recognition.
Every participant receives a participation certificate, with a permanent verification ID.
Senior
International prize
- First
- $250
- Second
- $175
- Third
- $125
Youth
International prize
- First
- $200
- Second
- $150
- Third
- $100
Junior
International prize
- First
- $175
- Second
- $125
- Third
- $100
Final Round honours
Gold Honour
Awarded to Final Round participants who reach at least 50% of the total points and finish in the top group of eligible participants.
Silver Honour
Awarded to high-scoring Finalists within the published Gold, Silver, and Bronze ratio.
Bronze Honour
Awarded to Finalists who reach at least 50% of the Final Round points but fall outside the Gold and Silver bands.
Resources
Everything you need before problem one.
The problem sheet, the rules, the timetable, and the training archive. Every link here leads to the official IPhyC resource.
PDF
IPhyC 2026 Qualification Round
The official five-problem paper for the current edition. Download it, solve what you can, and submit one clear file.
Download problem sheetPORTAL
Official submission form
Upload your Qualification Round solutions to the official IPhyC portal. Submissions sent by email are not accepted.
Open submission formPDF
Timetable & deadlines
The official one-page timeline for all rounds, result announcements, and registration deadlines.
Open timetableWEB
Rules & data policy
Eligibility, submission rules, integrity policy, data usage, and the terms that apply to every participant.
Read the rulesWEB
Training & past problems
Preparation guidance, recommended books, formulas, and problem sets from previous editions.
Start trainingPDF
Official IPhyC flyer
The complete information flyer with the competition structure, dates, and participation details.
Open flyerPDFs and portals open on the official IPhyC website
Training & past problemsFAQ
The questions students ask first.
Short, sourced answers about eligibility, fees, rounds, and submitting your work.
Still unsure about something?
The official team answers general and teacher enquiries by email.
AUL IPhyC 2026 · Room D207 · Qualification Round open
The next problem is yours.
Start with five problems—from Physics Laboratory, Room D207 or online anywhere in the world. No application, no entry fee, and no need to be top of your class.
Deadline 1 Nov 2026, 23:59 UTC+0