Careers guides
Engineering salaries in the UK, from apprentice to chartered engineer
The guide is aimed at students considering a career in engineering and at parents and carers assisting them with their decision. It explains the…
Engineering key dates: deadlines for the year ahead
Every application deadline and start date we track, month by month: UCAS, scholarships, competitions, work experience and summer schools.
Key takeaways
- The dates on this page come from our opportunities list, so they change when an organiser changes a date.
- Check the official website before you apply: each opportunity links to it.
- Many deadlines close at a set time of day, so read the details under each date.
- Some schemes need a teacher to register or nominate students, so put those in the school calendar early.
This guide is for students planning their next year, parents and carers helping them, and teachers and careers leaders building a calendar. It lists deadlines and start dates for engineering applications and opportunities: UCAS, scholarships, competitions, work experience, summer schools and taster courses.
The dates come from our list of opportunities, which we check against each organiser’s official website. When a date changes or passes, this page updates accordingly.
How to use these dates
- Work back from the deadline. Most applications need a personal statement, a reference or a teacher’s nomination. Start a few weeks before the closing date, not the night before.
- Check the official site before you apply. Organisers sometimes move dates. Each opportunity links to its official page, which always has the final word.
- Look for the time as well as the date. Many deadlines close at a set time, such as 6pm or midday. The details under each date say so.
- Watch for those without a date yet. Some schemes haven’t published this year’s dates. They are listed at the end of this page with when they usually open.
- TeachersTeachers: some schemes require a school to register or nominate students. Put those dates in the school calendar early.es ahead, month by month
October 2026
Scholarship · in 2 days
UKESF Scholarships closes[1]
Apply to one employer first; UKESF then invites you to apply to more
Scholarship · in 9 days
Newcastle University engineering scholarships closes[2][3]
Apply on the Student Portal once you have enrolled
Experience and courses · in 11 days
Routes into STEM (Industrial Cadets Bronze) starts[4]
October half-term 2026 courses in London, Birmingham and Coventry; more places planned for 2026/27
November 2026
Scholarship · in 21 days
IET Power Academy closes[5]
Closes at 5pm; interviews in December and January
Competition · in 27 days
STEM Racing (formerly F1 in Schools) starts[6]
Schools register now; regional finals from 12 November 2026, National Finals in March 2027
December 2026
Scholarship
Arkwright Engineering Scholarships closes[7]
Students submit by midday; teachers finish nominations by 8 December
January 2027
Competition
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow closes[9]
Entries close on 18 January 2027; national final on 29 and 30 April 2027
February 2027
Scholarship
RAF Defence STEM Undergraduate Sponsorship closes[11]
Apply between 1 September and 28 February; the RAF advises applying by December
March 2027
Competition
The Big Bang Competition closes[12][13]
Enter by 4pm on Friday 12 March 2027; finalists announced 20 April
April 2027
Competition
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow starts[9]
Entries close on 18 January 2027; national final on 29 and 30 April 2027
June 2027
Experience and courses
STEM Futures: University Pathway (EDT) starts[14]
Runs online from 28 June to 20 August 2027; register interest now
Opportunities without a fixed date ahead
These schemes haven’t published their next dates, run on their own timetable, or are open with no single closing date. The note under each one says what we know.
- Beatrice Shilling ScholarshipNo form: make Manchester your firm choice by the June UCAS deadline[16][17]
- Douglas Bomford Trust scholarshipsCloses in December each year (the 2026 round closed on 12 December 2025); 2027 date not published[18]
- EDT Placements (Year in Industry)2027/28 vacancies coming soon; most placements start in summer 2027[19]
- FIRST LEGO League ChallengeRegistration for the 2026-27 season is open; regional tournaments, then the UK final[20]
- Formula StudentUniversity teams register for 2027 later in the year; the 2026 event was at Silverstone in July[21]
- I'm an Engineer, Get me out of here!Teachers book live chats; autumn dates run from 19 October to 18 December 2026
- ICE CityZen competitionsRuns in the autumn term; check this year's registration dates on the ICE website[22]
- ICE QUEST Technician ScholarshipDue to reopen in October 2026 (past rounds closed in mid to late November); check the current dates on the ICE website[23]
- ICE QUEST Undergraduate ScholarshipThe last round opened in March 2026; check the 2027 dates on the ICE website[24]
- IET Future Talent AwardsThe 2026 round ran from 13 March to 11 September; register interest for 2027[25][26]
- IMechE Undergraduate ScholarshipsThe 2026 round closed on 30 June; 2027 dates not published yet[27][28]
- In2STEM summer placementsApplications opened in December and closed in April last time; 2027 dates not published yet[29]
- Insight into University (EDT)Register interest for summer 2027 now; application dates not published yet[30][31]
- IOM3 Bursaries to Support LearningThe 2026 round closed on 1 September; next date not published[32]
- James Dyson AwardThe 2026 round ran from 11 March to 15 July; 2027 dates not published[33]
- Research Placements and Experiences (formerly Nuffield Research Placements)Applications have opened in the autumn in past rounds; check the 2027 dates on the STEM Learning website
- Routes into STEM 16+ (Industrial Cadets Silver)The 2026 courses ran in July; register interest for 2027[34]
- Royal Academy of Engineering Leaders Scholarship2026-27 dates not published yet; the last round closed on 20 January 2026[35][36]
- Smallpeice Trust engineering courses2027 courses launch in late autumn; most run in the summer holidays[37]
- Snowdon Trust grantsThe 2026-27 window ran from 14 September to 2pm on 14 October; next window not published[38][39]
- Southampton Engineering Excellence ScholarshipThe 2026 window ran from March to 30 April; 2027 dates not published[40]
- Strathclyde electronic and electrical engineering scholarshipsEach award has its own dates in the university's scholarship database[41]
- TechFirst Undergraduate Scholarship (TechGrad)Applications for 2027 university starters open this autumn; NCSC says it launches in November 2026[42][43]
- The Big Bang FairThree days at the NEC, Birmingham, in June 2027; dates and tickets not out yet[44]
- Think Big Undergraduate Scholarships (Bristol)The 2026 round closed on 10 April; 2027 dates not published[45]
- Trigon Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering (Imperial)No form; the 2026 round needed an offer by 29 May 2026. 2027 details not published[46][47]
- UCAS deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses6pm UK time on 15 October 2026[48]
- Whitworth Scholarship AwardsCloses on 17 July each year; the opening date isn't published[49]
Apply any time
These have no deadline: you can start or apply whenever suits you.
- Apprenticeship applicationsNo fixed application time[50]
- BAE Systems work experiencePlacement dates are released through the year on the BAE Systems careers site[51]
- CREST AwardsAny time, usually through a teacher or club leader
- Forage engineering job simulationsStart any time; self-paced[52]
- Futures For All work experiencePlacements listed all year in the Work Experience Finder, each with its own closing date[53]
- IChemE virtual work experienceStart any time and go at your own pace
- Industrial Cadets Gold mentored projectThrough your school; schools can ask EDT at any time
- JLR: Drive Your FutureStart any time and go at your own pace[54]
- Rolls-Royce Discover: Behind the ScenesRounds for each year group open and close through the year[55]
- Rolls-Royce Discover: On DemandAny time, at your own pace[56]
- Royal Navy scholarships for engineer officersNo fixed window: the Scholarship from Year 11, DSUS from the year before university
- Springpod virtual work experienceProgrammes start through the year; many are on demand
- Young Enterprise Company ProgrammeSchools and colleges sign up; it runs from 12 weeks to a school year
More help with planning
- The experience and funding page sets out what to do in each school year.
- Scholarships and funding explains which awards to apply for and when.
- Work experience covers placements, virtual schemes and how to find them.
- The degree route explains UCAS applications for engineering.
Sources
56 sources
The UKESF Scholarship Scheme is open for applications Application deadline: 18 October 2026
Checked 14 October 2026
Unless otherwise stated, all donor-funded scholarship applications through the Student Portal will be closing on Sunday 25 October 2026.
Checked 14 October 2026
Applications will open in the week commencing 14 September 2026 , and only registered students who meet the relevant eligibility criteria will be able to apply via the Student Portal .
Checked 14 October 2026
Industrial Cadets Bronze: Routes into STEM
Routes into STEM London Experience, 27th - 29th October 2026 - £195 ... Routes into STEM Birmingham Experience, 27th - 29th October 2026 - Funded
Checked 14 October 2026
The deadline for submitting an application is 6 November 2026.
Checked 14 October 2026
Regional Final Scotland: Primary Thursday 12 November 2026 ... National Finals: Secondary Wed, 17 Mar 2027 09:00 Thu, 18 Mar 2027
Checked 14 October 2026
Arkwright Scholarships 2027-2029 Programme
Opens 9 Sep 2026 09:00 AM (BST) Deadline 2 Dec 2026 12:00 PM (GMT)
Same page: "Student Deadline: Wednesday the 2nd of December at Midday (12pm)"; teacher deadline 8 December.
Checked 14 October 2026
Dates and deadlines for uni applications
13 Jan (18:00 UK time) Equal consideration date for applications for most undergraduate courses
Checked 14 October 2026
Deadline: 18 January 2027
Checked 16 October 2026
Dates and deadlines for uni applications
25 Feb Extra opens If you've used all five choices and are not holding any offers, you may be able to add another choice in your application.
Checked 14 October 2026
You must apply between 1 September and 28 February each year, but you’re strongly advised to apply by December.
Internet Archive copy of 4 October 2026.
Checked 14 October 2026
Enter The Big Bang Competition
The Big Bang Competition is now open for entries! Submit your project until Friday 12 March 2027 at 4pm.
Checked 14 October 2026
The Big Bang Competition rules and eligibility
Online entry will open in the Autumn term 2026 and close Friday 12 March 2027, at 4pm.
Checked 14 October 2026
STEM Futures: University Pathway
The course is available from 28th June until 20th August 2027. ... Applications for 2025/26 programme are now closed. Register your interest
Checked 14 October 2026
Dates and deadlines for uni applications
30 Jun (18:00 UK time) Applications received by this deadline will be sent to universities and colleges After this time, applications are automatically entered into Clearing.
Checked 14 October 2026
Have chosen Manchester as your firm choice by the June UCAS deadline;
Checked 14 October 2026
The University will automatically assess all eligible applicants and assign the Scholarship based on academic merit.
Checked 14 October 2026
How to apply for Douglas Bomford Trust Scholarships
Closing date for 2026 Scholarships is 12 December 2025.
Checked 14 October 2026
Placements 27/28 - Vacancies coming soon!
Checked 14 October 2026
Register for the BIOGLOW™ season 2026 - 2027
Checked 14 October 2026
Provisional dates for Formula Student 2026 at Silverstone are 15-19 July 2026 inclusive.
Checked 14 October 2026
ICE CityZen competitions (Internet Archive copy, 21 July 2026)
ICE’s two CityZen competitions feature our unique and award-winning digital challenges and are free to enter – with great prizes too! They take place in the autumn term and can be completed flexibly to fit into your schools’ extra-curricular time.
ice.org.uk blocks automated checks; quoted from the archive.
Checked 14 October 2026
Awards, grants and scholarships: QUEST
[Applications for 2025 are now closed and will reopen in October 2026.] A scholarship of up to £1,000 for students on further or higher education courses that could lead to becoming a qualified ICE technician member.
Internet Archive copy of 12 January 2026; current status not confirmable (live site blocks automated access).
Checked 14 October 2026
QUEST scholarships (Internet Archive copy, 12 January 2026)
[Applications for 2025 are now closed and will reopen in March 2026.]
ice.org.uk blocks automated checks; quoted from the archive.
Checked 14 October 2026
Engineering scholarships – IET Future Talent Awards
The 2026 applications will open on Friday, 13 March 2026 and will close on Friday, 11 September 2026.
Checked 14 October 2026
Applications for 2026 are now closed ... Register your interest for 2027
Checked 14 October 2026
Closing date: 30 June 2026
Checked 14 October 2026
Send your Reference Request Form to your chosen referee who should submit their reference direct to [email protected] no later than 15 July.
Same page shows "Closing date: 30 June 2026".
Checked 14 October 2026
December 2025 Applications open April 2026 Applications close
Checked 14 October 2026
Insight into University: residential
Applications for 2025/26 are now closed. To register your interest in Insight into University Residential Experience 2026/27, please complete the form below.
Checked 14 October 2026
Residential Insight into University FAQs
We will be in contact with all students with an outcome of their application before the end of February 2026.
Checked 14 October 2026
Closing date: 01-09-2026
Checked 14 October 2026
4.1. The Website will open for entries from 11 March 2026 and close on 15 July 2026 at 23:59 (PST).
Checked 14 October 2026
Industrial Cadets Silver: Routes into STEM 16+
Routes into STEM 16+ Edinburgh Experience | 7-10th July 2026 | £225 ... Routes into STEM 16+ Newcastle Experience | 28-31st July 2026 | Funded ... Register for 26/27
Checked 14 October 2026
Engineering Leaders Scholarship
Applications are now closed.
Checked 14 October 2026
Engineering Leaders Scholarships: applicant guidance notes 2025-2026
Applications need to be submitted via the grant management system (GMS) by 4.00pm on 20 January 2026
Checked 14 October 2026
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
Grant applications for the 2026-27 academic year will open on Monday 14 September at 2pm and close on Wednesday 14 October at 2pm.
Checked 14 October 2026
We are now closed for new applications.
Checked 14 October 2026
Engineering Excellence Scholarship
The scholarship is open for applicants from March 2026 until 11pm (UK time) on 30 April 2026.
Checked 14 October 2026
Use the searchable database to find out what scholarships are on offer. Use the filters to narrow down the results most relevant to you, your course and type of study.
Checked 14 October 2026
From September 2026 students in the existing CyberFirst Bursary scheme will become TechFirst scholars, joining our first new cohort. Applications for the 2027/28 academic year will open this autumn.
Checked 14 October 2026
Cyber Skills: inspiring the next generation of cyber talent
A new TechGrad University Scholarship launches in November 2026 The UK Government will provide £4k/annum university scholarships and support for up to 1150 domestic students each year
Checked 14 October 2026
Taking place over 3 days at the NEC in Birmingham, The Fair will return in June 2027.
Checked 14 October 2026
Think Big Scholarship applications closed on 10 April 2026 at 10 am UK time.
Checked 14 October 2026
Trigon Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering 2026-2027
Application deadline 29/05/2026 Closed
Checked 14 October 2026
Trigon Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering
There is no separate application form that you need to complete in order to apply for this scholarship.
Same page: "Application deadline 29/05/2026 Closed".
Checked 14 October 2026
Dates and deadlines for uni applications
15 Oct (18:00 UK time) Equal consideration date for applications to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and for most courses in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine/science
Checked 14 October 2026
Whitworth Scholarship Awards: details
Closing date for applications 17th July each year
Checked 14 October 2026
Applying for an apprenticeship: What your students need to know
One of the challenges of work-based schemes is that there is no fixed application time or method of applying. Students will need to keep looking and applying from autumn onwards to make sure they don't miss out.
Checked 14 October 2026
We release dates regularly throughout the year, so please check the website for updates. ... Suitable for students aged 14-18, our virtual 5-day programme will guide them through a real-life engineering challenge.
Checked 14 October 2026
GE Aerospace: Explore Engineering
Complete tasks guided by pre-recorded videos and example answers from our team at GE Aerospace. No live sessions, all self-paced. Earn a certificate and add it to your resume and LinkedIn as an extra curricular activity.
Checked 14 October 2026
Users can search, filter and sort opportunities by career type, industry, subject and closing date, making it simple to narrow down what matters most to them.
Checked 14 October 2026
Get a certificate upon completion Complete at your own pace Over 7 hours worth of content
Checked 14 October 2026
Discover: Behind the Scenes, Solihull
Before applying, you’ll need to complete the ‘Future Ready Skills’ module on our virtual work experience platform, Discover: On Demand
Checked 14 October 2026
That’s why Rolls-Royce has partnered with Springpod to create accessible experiences, giving you a free way to explore our industry ... In just 1-2 hours, you will step into authentic roles, tackle genuine tasks
Checked 14 October 2026
Last checked 15 October 2026 by the Born to Engineer editorial team
If you have any feedback, spot any errors or have suggestion on how we can improve our resources please let us know at [email protected]
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