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From 1904-1929 the Royal Asiatic Society awarded a Gold Medal to a schoolboy writing on a chosen essay title. However, as entrants dwindled and few schools seemed interested in teaching Indian history, it was decided that the competition should be changed to one for undergraduate students. The change was finalised on 15th December 1931. Regulations for the University Prize Essay Fund were drawn up in 1932 and the first prize was awarded in 1933. In 1939, Professor Perceval Yetts designed a certificate to be presented with the prize (an example of this can be found in these papers). The prize was initially awarded annually but then became biennial. The prize money also increased at various intervals.
The records of the Universities Prize Essay cover the conversion from the Public School Medal to the Universities Prize Essay Fund, governance of the award and the conferment of the Honour in subsequent years. They include Rules, correspondence, and winning essays. However there are not records for all instances of the presentation of the award. Researchers are advised to also examine the Council Minutes and the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (both held in the RAS Collections) when researching concerning the Universities Prize Essay and its recipients.

Letter from John Pinches, Medallist, to The Secretary, Royal Asiatic Society, in which he quotes to provide the medal for the Public Schools Medal in a morocco case and engraved with the name and date of the recipient. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 23 January 1932.

Letter from John Pinches to Miss D. Crawford, Secretary of Royal Asiatic Society, to inform her that they have handed over the traditional side of their business to Messrs. Turner & Simpson Ltd and to apologise that she had not been informed of the transfer. Typed with printed letterhead, dated 20 March 1977.