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Apple announces Swift Student Challenge for WWDC 2023

New Swift Student Challenge

Alongside Apple's date reveal for WWDC 2023, the company has also announced that the Swift Student Challenge coding competition is making a return. Here's how to apply.

This year's Worldwide Developer's Conference is set from June 5 to June 9 where Apple will reveal iOS 17 and other new operating systems. And students who code can participate in the Swift Student Challenge.

To enter, students must build an app playground with Apple's Swift Playgrounds app and submit it, answering a few written questions and providing documentation. The company has some requirements to enter the competition.

  • Be at least 13 years old in the United States or the applicable jurisdiction's minimum age (for example, 16 years of age in the European Union).
  • Be registered for free with Apple as an Apple developer or member of the Apple Developer Program.
  • Fulfill one of the following requirements: Be enrolled in an accredited academic institution or official homeschool equivalent, be enrolled in a STEM organization's educational curriculum, be enrolled in an Apple Developer Academy, or have graduated from high school or equivalent within the past six months and be awaiting acceptance or have received acceptance to an accredited academic institution.

Students must also not be employed full-time as a developer.

Apple encourages students to submit advanced, creative app playgrounds and provides some templates for inspiration. Students can add graphics, audio, and other elements to create a unique experience.

The playground must be built with and run on Swift Playgrounds 4.2.1 or later, which requires iPadOS 16 or macOS 13 or Xcode 14 on macOS 13. Students must apply on Apple's website to enter the competition.

Winners will receive exclusive WWDC23 outerwear, AirPods Pro, a customized pin set, and one year of membership in the Apple Developer Program. Apple will also hold a separate random selection process for winners who opt in for the opportunity to attend the event at Apple Park.