A record 5,667 students participated in this year's Intermediate Biology Olympiad, the second year the competition has been run by the Society.

The competition was open in June to students aged 16-17 and challenged their biology knowledge, with students completing the online exam from more than 380 schools worldwide, including schools in Hungary, Kazakhstan and Singapore.

1679 students received a Gold, Silver or Bronze certificate, with a select few also invited to attend this year’s RSB’s Education Awards Ceremony, that took place at the IET Savoy Place: London.

Students who achieved a Gold award will also be invited to a training course in September, run by the Field Studies Council to explore the ecology of a London park.

The competition is organised by the RSB Special Interest Group, UK Biology Competitions (UKBC).

Dr Andrew Treharne MBE FRSB, who chairs the UKBC committee of volunteers, said of this year’s competition: “It is amazing to see such a large number of students take part in the Intermediate Biology Olympiad.

“We hope their participation proves to be useful in their university applications and that they will consider competing in the British Biology Olympiad next year. This competition will be the first stage in selecting a team to represent the UK at the 2018 International Biology Olympiad.”