The honest guide to becoming an engineer in the UK

Newsletter
BorntoEngineer
Get the weekly newsletter

Summer schoolThe Smallpeice Trust

Smallpeice Trust engineering courses

Engineering courses online or as a three-day residential, with a tenth of places fully funded for students who couldn't otherwise go.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked

At a glance

Run by
The Smallpeice Trust[1]
Who it’s for
Students aged 12 to 17[1]
Cost
From £150 online; £415 for a three-day residential; fully funded places for eligible students[2][3]
Year groups
Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12
Where
UK-wide
Format
Hybrid
Funding
Bursaries or funding available

Fully funded places go to students who meet one of the Trust's criteria, such as free school meals or a household on Universal Credit. Places are offered first come, first served, so apply as soon as courses open.

Sources

4 sources

  1. The Smallpeice Trust

    Courses

    Our hands-on engineering courses give young people aged 12-17 the chance to explore different engineering disciplines and gain real insight into exciting STEM careers.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  2. The Smallpeice Trust

    Course FAQs

    Our online courses cost £150, whilst a three-day residential is £415. There can be exceptions to this, so please check individual course pages for details.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  3. The Smallpeice Trust

    Fully Funded Places

    The Dr Cosby Smallpeice bursary is funded by the Trust, with a commitment to offer 10% of places fully funded on all courses.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  4. The Smallpeice Trust

    Courses

    Our multi-day courses typically run in the school holidays, with the majority over the summer break. Courses normally launch late Autumn each year.

    Checked 14 October 2026

Details checked by the Born to Engineer editorial team. Always confirm dates on the provider’s site before applying.

More summer school opportunities

All opportunities

Insight into University (EDT)

Opens later

Summer schoolEDT (The Engineering Development Trust)

A four or five-day summer school at a university, trying out an engineering or STEM degree subject, usually staying in halls.

Cost
£240 to £595 (2026 prices); bursaries for eligible students
Who
Year 12 (S5 or S6) students at UK schools and colleges, or home educated
When
Register interest for summer 2027 now; application dates not published yet

Visit etrust.org.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Insight into University (EDT)

UKESF Scholarships

Closes in 2 days

ScholarshipUK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF)

Electronics employers sponsor undergraduates at 30 partner universities with a bursary, paid summer placements and mentoring.

Worth
£1,000 a year, plus paid summer placements of at least 8 weeks
Who
Electronics undergraduates at partner universities, not in their first or final year
Deadline
Apply to one employer first; UKESF then invites you to apply to more

Visit ukesf.org (opens in a new tab)Details: UKESF Scholarships

Newcastle University engineering scholarships

Closes in 9 days

ScholarshipNewcastle University

Donor-funded scholarships for first-year engineering students, including the Sandman (£2,000 a year) and John and Anne Scott (£3,000 a year) awards.

Worth
£1,000 to £9,000, depending on the award
Who
First-year engineering students at Newcastle; most awards are for widening participation students
Deadline
Apply on the Student Portal once you have enrolled

Visit ncl.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Newcastle University engineering scholarships