Q: When can I enter? When is the closing date and results?
A: The contest is NOW OPEN for entries. The closing date is midnight 14th March. We plan to have the results out by the end of May (rather than in the autumn as in the past) so there won't be long to wait to find out how well you did. Add your email to the our mailing list using the subscription box below if you wish to receive updates on this.

Q: How do I enter the contest?
A: There are three different easy ways to enter. Just click on the link below to see full details and entry forms.

Q: What is the entry fee?
A: The entry fee is £15 per song entry. This is still the same fee we charged back in 2002 and it is the lowest fee of any international song contest. We may increase this during the very last days of the contest for late entries, but any increase will be posted on the website in plenty of time and details sent in emails several days before so that you have plenty of notice. If you enter through Broadjam the price will be in dollars at $30 at all times.

Q: How do I pay the entry fee online?
A: You can use any major debit or credit card. If you are a member of PayPal you can also use your PayPal account. Please note that we use PayPal to process payments because they are very safe and secure but it is not necessary to join or be a member of PayPal.

Q: I cannot see my entry confirmation? Where is it?
A: For security reasons entry confirmation and the payment receipt are sent to the email address used during payment at PayPal and this is sometimes different than your contact email - especially if someone else paid for your entry for you. Please check the correct email account. If you do not see the emails there check the bulk/spam folder. All future emails are sent to the address supplied on the entry form.

Q: Can I enter a song that I have written but get someone else to sing and play it?
A: Yes. You can use other singers and musicians to perform your song.

Q: Will the quality of my recording or production make a difference?
A: No. We guarantee that the recording quality, performance, vocals and production etc are not being judged. We only judge the song itself and your songwriting ability. Our judges are very experienced and have listened professionally to many tens of thousands of songs. They fully understand the difference between a good song and a good production. Many winners in the contest have been just a single voice singing over a very basic and simple piano or guitar backing. Acapella entries - just a vocal line with no music backing recorded directly onto cassette tape - have also made it to the finals and runner up stages. Of course, a good production never hurts and will make your song sound better, but our judges will always concentrate on the songwriting first and foremost. To sum up: a good song that has been very poorly recorded or produced will win out over a beautifully produced but weak song.

Q: Do I need to add the lyrics when I enter a recording?
A: No. Although we did ask for this in past years this year we do not require lyrics when you enter a recording of your song. If the judges have any problems making out the words from the recording we will email you and ask for a copy of the lyrics.

Q: Is there a maximum length or time limit for each song?
A: No. Unlike other contests we do not impose a time limit on each song. Most songs entered tend to be between 3 to 5 minutes long but songs may be of any length and we do not want to interfere with your creativity by setting a time limit.

Q: Who are the judges?
A: 2010 judges include the top producer, musical director and Doctor of Music Richard Niles and the very talented top BRIT Award winning producer and songwriter Simon Ellis. Other judges include the well known BBC Radio Controller Lesley Douglas (now a Director and Head of TV at Universal Music UK), the talented Soul 2 Soul singer and songwriter Charlotte Kelly, The Stage's award winning writer, blogger and BBC radio guest expert Scott Matthewman and many others. There are more details on other parts of this website. We are associated with some of the biggest and most respected names and organisations in the music industry. Our team of judges and advisors have included directors and senior executives of organisations such as The BRIT Trust, The Guild of International Songwriters and Composers, The Music Aid Organisation, The World Music Foundation, The Music Aid Awards Academy, The International Song Copyright Agency and others as well as top producers, musical directors and music industry executives, experienced songwriters, music journalists and authors, members of music qualification examination boards plus specialist panels and judges provided by The BRIT Trust and the BRIT School. Each year we call on this large pool of experts and professionals to form judging panels.

Q: How does the judging work?
A: Our judging procedures are the best in the industry. Songs that successfully continue past the preliminary panels will have the chance to go on to the semi finals and continue on to the finals. These songs are carefully examined on many occasions to select the winners. We have real respect for the dedication and talent of the people who enter this contest and we devote a lot of time and effort to ensure each contestant has a fair and equal chance.

Q: What file types are accepted for upload to the contest?
A: We accept MP3 or WMA. But don't forget that if your music is already on MySpace or your website you can enter it from there without uploading it again to us.

Q: How do I convert my CDs to audio files for the contest?
A: You can do this with your built in Windows Media Player if you use a PC or in iTunes if you use a Mac. Here are some links to some good website articles that explain how to do this. Please read these and then email us if you have any difficulties. See Windows Help Article 1 and also Windows Help Article 2 if you are a PC user and try Converting with iTunes if you use a Mac. These links will all open in new windows.

Q: Is there a minimum age restriction?
A: No, there is no minimum age restriction.

Q: I am not sure what category my song fits into - what should I do?
A: Please see Song Categories page for details of each category. This should help you decide. Please also remember that the judges will definitely not miss a good song because of your category choice - they may even move a song to a different category if they think it has a better chance there (after asking your permission).

Q: I only write lyrics and do not compose music, can I enter my lyric?
A: Yes you can. There is a "Lyrics Only" category for this. See Song Categories. Using our special new Lyrics Form you can copy and paste your Lyrics and send them to us with just a few clicks.

Q: I only write instrumentals, can I still enter?
A: Yes you can. There is an "Instrumental" category for this. See Song Categories

Q: Can I enter a song that has lyrics in a non english language.
A: Yes. You may enter songs with lyrics in a language other than english.

Q: Is there any censorship? I am worried that my lyrics contain a swear word.
A: No. There is no censorship and no restrictions on the type of language used. 

Q: I live outside the UK, can I enter the UK Songwriting Contest?
A: Yes. This is an international event and the contest is open to all songwriters, bands and musicians regardless of nationality and country of residence.

Q: Can I enter the same song in more than one category?
A: Yes you can. If you think that your song has a chance of winning or being selected as a finalist in more than one category you may enter in those categories. For example you might enter a song in the Pop category and also enter the lyric separately in the Lyrics Only category. You might even decide to enter it in a third category where you feel it has a good chance of doing well. But please note that each of these different category entries will be charged a separate entry fee as each will be treated and judged independently by different panels as a completely separate entry.

Q: Will I still own all the rights to my song after I have entered it in the contest?
A: Yes. You will continue to own all the rights in your song and entering the contest will have no effect on your copyright ownership.

Q: Can I enter a song that is already in another contest? Or already published?
A: Yes. You can enter your song if it has already been entered in a different contest or has been published. 

Q: How do I get my results and certificates?
A: All results will be on the contest website. You will also be able to view and print your certificate directly from the website when the results are published.

Q: When do I get my guaranteed Songwriting Courses and Broadjam prizes?
A: After we close for entries we will email everyone with special links and codes to claim the SongU songwriting courses and the Broadjam membership.

Q: Can I still enter by post?
A: Yes you can - use the contact form link below and tell us and we will arrange a postal entry for you. But please note that we encourage everyone to try the online method. It is very straightforward and easy and if you are new to uploading song files and nervous about entering this way please email us and we will help you and advise you every step of the way. Most of you will be able to easily, quickly and freely convert your CDs to MP3 or WMA files using the players you already have in your PC or Mac. Then just fill in the simple online entry form and attach the song just as you would do with an email attachment. Lyrics Only entries are even simpler as you can just cut and paste the Lyric directly into the form. And you will get an immediate confirmation email from us telling you that the song is in the contest instead of having to wait for days.

It is much cheaper for you to enter online as there are no postage and packaging costs, and it is also safer than posting your entries to us as there is no chance of the song being lost or delayed in the postal system. It also allows us to track your songs through the judging panels more efficiently and makes it possible for us to send instant confirmation emails for your songs. Also, we have found it very difficult to effectively recycle CDs and CD cases and cassettes so it is more eco-friendly to enter online. We would like your feedback about this. If people contact us and say they still prefer to enter by post we will allow postal entries as we always try to please all of our contestants and cater to everyones needs. But please give it a try...and let us have your thoughts and feedback about this.

Q: How do I convert my CDs to MP3 or WMA files for the contest?
A: You can do this with your built in Windows Media Player if you use a PC or in iTunes if you use a Mac. Here are some links to some good website articles that explain how to do this. Please read these and then email us if you have any difficulties. See Windows Help Article 1 and also Windows Help Article 2 if you are a PC user and try Converting with iTunes if you use a Mac. These links will all open in new windows.