Apple’s Swift Student Challenge?

What is it?

The 2025 Swift Student Challenge is an annual competition hosted by Apple, giving student developers worldwide the opportunity to showcase their skills by creating app playgrounds using the Swift programming language. The competition will open for submissions in February 2025 and run for three weeks. It recognizes 350 winners based on criteria like innovation, creativity, social impact, or inclusivity.

Among these, 50 Distinguished Winners will be specially recognized and invited to Apple Park in Cupertino for a three-day event during the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where they will get to connect with Apple experts and fellow developers. Additionally, all winners will receive a year of free membership in the Apple Developer Program and other gifts.

To help participants prepare, Apple provides resources such as Swift Coding Clubs and Develop in Swift Tutorials, which offer guidance on app development using Swift and SwiftUI.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?

To participate in the Apple Swift Student Challenge 2025, follow these steps:

Check Eligibility: Participants must be 13 years or older and enrolled in an accredited educational institution or a homeschool equivalent. They should be proficient in using Swift to create apps.

Prepare an App Playground: Create an interactive Swift app playground showcasing innovation, creativity, social impact, or inclusivity. Apple provides resources like Swift Coding Club kits and Develop in Swift Tutorials to help students prepare.

Sign Up for Notifications: Starting from October 2024, you can sign up to be notified when the submission window opens in February 2025. Apple will announce when applications are live.

Submit Your Entry: Once submissions open in February 2025, you’ll have three weeks to submit your app playground via Apple’s developer platform. During this period, you will need to submit required documents, such as proof of enrollment in an educational institution.

Wait for Results: Apple will select 350 winners, with 50 Distinguished Winners receiving special recognition and an invitation to Apple Park during WWDC.

The complete process, along with detailed guidelines, will be available on Apple’s official Swift Student Challenge page once the submission window approaches.