The DMA Talent Marketing Challenge (2026)

The 2026 brief

Looking to test your marketing prowess with the chance of winning an industry-recognised challenge?

You’ve come to the right place!

With the support of Barclays, we’re giving you the opportunity to discover what it’s like to work on a real-life marketing brief. 

The Challenge

Barclays is on a mission to transform the way graduates think about traditional bank accounts, and drive consideration for the Barclays Higher Education Account and the benefits of Blue Rewards. Barclays want to become the go-to choice for graduates – with options that can support graduates with their financial needs both now and in the future.

Your mission - acquire 10,000 new customers for Barclays on the Higher Education Account over a 6-month period of your choice.

How does it work?

Form your very own mini marketing agency with between two and five fellow students. You must enter as a team of between 3 and 6.

Your team members don't have to be doing your course, be in your year, or even be from your university/college. Work together to come up with an imaginative and compelling response to the brief. 

The deadline to submit your entry is Monday 8 June 2026 at 23:59.

Judges will select a shortlist of up to five teams, who we will invite to pitch their ideas to Barclays in July 2026, where the winner will be selected. 

Why enter?

This is your chance to work on a real-life brief and win an industry-recognised award that’ll set you apart from your peers.

It pushes you to think outside the box and apply your academic knowledge to a brief from the real marketing world, outside of university or college.

Each member of the winning team will win £100, and will be able to select a DMA Award of their choice to enrol in, accredited by the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM). This provides them with the opportunity to complete a professional qualification recognised across the marketing industry.