Today, Microsoft and Prodigy Learning have formally launched the MOS Four Nations Championship for students across the UK and Ireland to prove their mastery of Microsoft Office and compete for prizes, including a trip to the MOS World Championship Final in Disneyland, California.

The MOS Four Nations Championship offers an opportunity for students across the UK and Ireland to prove their digital skills and be in the running to win fantastic prizes.  To participate, eligible students must take, and pass, a MOS exam (Excel, PowerPoint or Word) before 15 May, 2017.  Three finalists each from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will then be invited to the MOS Four Nations Championship finals day at Microsoft UK in June 2017.  

The importance of digital skills in today’s job market is indisputable.  Independent research consistently ranks skills in Microsoft Office among the top five attributes that employers look for in prospective candidates.

MOS certification is the only official Microsoft-recognised certification for Microsoft Office, globally, and serves as a powerful instrument for assessing student capabilities and developing crucial digital skills expected by employers.

National Finalists will sit a MOS exam in their qualifying category and the Excel, PowerPoint and Word Four Nations Champions will be crowned based on the results. Also on the MOS Four Nations Championship finals day, the national finalists will work as a National Team on a project to demonstrate their collaborative mastery of the three productivity tools and incorporate 21st Century skills . Teams will present to a panel of judges for the chance to win the inaugural MOS Four Nations Project Award. 

Launching the Championship, Clare Riley (Group Manager – Education Relations, Microsoft UK) said: “Microsoft UK is committed to supporting the education sector through a variety of Microsoft technologies and software, such as our office tools suite. The MOS Four Nations Championship recognises and rewards the hard work of the entrants – with a healthy dose of fun thrown in.”

Andrew Flood (CEO, Prodigy Learning) added: “Digital skills, specifically Microsoft Office skills, are critical for today’s students.  The new MOS Four Nations Championship offers a unique opportunity for schools, colleges and universities across the UK and Ireland to challenge their students to prove (and improve) their skills. We are looking forward to seeing who has what it takes to be MOS Champions and which Nation has the strongest digital skills!”

More Information

The Championship is open to all students aged 13-22 (as of June 15, 2017).  Academic institutions interested in participating should visit www.moschampionship.co.uk or www.moschampionship.ie for details.