Top of the Bench

Find out how to contact your nearest RSC section to take part in local Top of the Bench competitions

The national final for the Top of the Bench competition was discontinued in 2025.

However, RSC local sections organise a range of schools engagement activities, including local Top of the Bench competitions and other events. Find out how to contact your nearest local section below.

A small group of students wearing lab coats and goggles smile and discuss an experiment at a laboratory bench, while other groups work in the background

How to take part

To apply to take part, please get in touch with your local RSC section.

CONTACT MY LOCAL SECTION

What are local sections?

RSC local sections  are run by volunteers, and help to coordinate events and networks in a particular area. There are 34 local sections covering different parts of the UK and Ireland.

The national final (discontinued)

In 2024, we made the difficult decision to discontinue the national final of the Top of the Bench competition with the last event taking place on 22nd March 2025 at Cardiff University. This was a strategic decision based around the various challenges the final of the competition brought such as misalignment with our strategic goals, sustainability and ensuring an equitable experience for all.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about the Top of the Bench competition, email us.

A small group of students wearing lab coats and goggles smile and discuss an experiment at a laboratory bench, while other groups work in the background

From the archive

A close-up photograph of three glass containers with different coloured liquids, standing on a black and white periodic table

Top of the Bench past papers

Use these past papers and answers to practise working through real questions from the Top of the Bench competition.