Name: HackTheBurgh
Start: 2026-11-07T14:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-11-08T20:00:00+00:00
Location: Edinburgh

HackTheBurgh is Scotland's largest hackathon, first conceived in 2014 and run annually by CompSoc, the University of Edinburgh’s technology society. This student-led event brings together the country's best upcoming talent for 24 hours to collaborate on challenges, learn new skills, and network with leading employers in the technology industry.

Who Can Participate The event is open to current students at any university or those who have graduated within the past year. Students from every degree discipline are welcome, whether technical or not; prior experience is not required, making it an ideal opportunity for first-year students or those attending their first hackathon to gain new experience. Participants must be at least 18 years old when the event starts.

Format and Team Structure Participants can form teams of up to four members or apply individually. A Discord server is available for participants to connect and find teammates before the event, though teams can also be formed upon arrival. Applications are judged holistically based on application responses, CVs, GitHub profiles, portfolio websites, and year of study. For team applications, all members are judged together: either everyone is accepted or no one is.

Challenges and Prizes During the event, sponsors will set challenge tracks for participants to take on. Teams are free to submit projects for whichever challenges interest them. Sponsors look for entries that encapsulate the spirit of the challenge while demonstrating a high level of technical ability and creativity. The goal is to provide a starting point for projects that participants can continue working on after the event.

Logistics The hackathon takes place over two days (Saturday and Sunday) at The Nucleus Building in Edinburgh. Food, snacks, and drinks are provided throughout the event, with dietary restrictions accommodated upon acceptance. Designated sleeping spaces are available for participants to rest overnight, though bringing a blanket or sleeping bag is recommended.