Apple’s Swift Student Challenge 2024 Opens With New Distinguished Winners Category

Apple has opened applications for its 2024 Swift Student Challenge, and announced a special category to recognize 50 distinguished winners.

This innovative competition aims to nurture a new generation of developers, creators, and entrepreneurs by allowing them to showcase their coding prowess and creativity through app playgrounds and tools. The distinguished winners will be invited to Apple’s Cupertino headquarters for an exceptional experience, highlighting the tech giant’s commitment to fostering young talent.

Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations and Education & Enterprise Marketing, emphasized the company’s belief in coding as a universal skill. “At Apple, we believe that everyone can learn to code and build apps, and we’re proud to support and recognize aspiring student developers with the Swift Student Challenge each year,” she stated in a press release, underscoring the significance of the Swift Student Challenge in supporting aspiring student developers annually.

“Apple is releasing new coding resources for students and educators, working with our community partners on dedicated Swift programming, and sharing advance notice of the Swift Student Challenge timeline for 2024. We can’t wait to see the app playgrounds students submit,” she added.

This year’s challenge introduces a unique opportunity for 50 out of the 350 winners to be recognized as Distinguished Winners. These select individuals will enjoy a memorable trip to Apple Park, where they can connect with fellow developers and Apple’s experts. All winners will benefit from a one-year membership in the Apple Developer Program, a complimentary voucher to take the App Development with Swift certification exam, and a special gift from Apple.

The Swift Student Challenge continues to be a crucial platform for young coders to gain valuable skills and make an impact in the tech world. With applications open until 25 February, eligible students are encouraged to submit their innovative app playgrounds via the Apple Developer website. This challenge not only offers substantial rewards but also a chance for participants to contribute to the vibrant ecosystem of apps and digital experiences.

Past Singaporean winners Jiang Tongyu, Jia Chen Yee, and Richard Qi share their insights, emphasizing the importance of community, storytelling, and challenging oneself with new technologies:

“If you’re still looking for an idea, write everything down and do a huge mindmap. It’s impossible to find the perfect idea straightaway, and it’s much easier to brainstorm 20 ideas and choose a few to go off on! Not all ideas are great, either. Don’t be afraid to change your idea if it doesn’t work out well first try.”

– Jiang Tongyu, 17, Swift Student Challenge winner (2023)

“Find a community. Finding student communities around is incredibly useful as you can share information, help one another, and find friends with common interests. I have been part of the Swift Accelerator Singapore community for the last 6 years and it has been a lot of fun planning events and mentoring other students.”

– Jia Chen Yee, 20, Swift Student Challenge winner (2020 & 2021) 

Try something new, experiment with a new Apple framework and get creative with the possibilities! Build an idea that you’re personally invested in, it could be related to something you learnt in school or solves a problem that you face. Put effort into polishing every aspect of the app experience, the small things matter.

– Richard Qi, 23, Swift Student Challenge winner (2021)

As Apple continues to invest in the future of technology through initiatives like the Swift Student Challenge, it’s clear that the path for aspiring developers is brighter than ever. This competition not only showcases the talents of young coders but also lays the groundwork for the next wave of innovation in app development.

Eligible students can apply on the Apple website. Applications will close on 25 February.