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Work experienceScience and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

STFC in-person work experience (Daresbury, Rutherford Appleton, Royal Observatory Edinburgh)

STFC runs work experience placements at its Daresbury and Rutherford Appleton laboratories and at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh. Students work on a science or technology project with a supervisor for one to two weeks. Details and deadlines for 2027 are due in January 2027.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked

At a glance

Run by
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Who it’s for
UK-resident young people in full-time education in Years 10 to 13 (England and Wales), S4 to S6 (Scotland) or Years 11 to 14 (Northern Ireland).[1]
Entry
Students apply themselves
Worth
A 1 to 2 week placement on a project rooted in STFC science and technology, at a national laboratory.[2]
Cost
Free
Year groups
Year 10, Year 11, Year 12, Year 13
Where
UK-wide (Daresbury (North West England), Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Oxfordshire) and Royal Observatory Edinburgh)
Format
In person

Sources

3 sources

  1. STFC Public Engagement

    Work Experience (In Person)

    STFC Work Experience programmes are open to young people who are living in the UK and in full time education in Years 10-13 in England and Wales, S4-S6 in Scotland and Years 11-14 in Northern Ireland.

    Checked 23 October 2026

  2. STFC Public Engagement

    Work Experience (In Person)

    During the 1-2 week long placement, students will work individually or in small groups with supervisors on a project rooted in STFC science and technology.

    Checked 23 October 2026

  3. STFC Public Engagement

    Work Experience (In Person)

    Applications for this summer’s placements are now closed. Details for 2027 work experience placements will be available in January 2027.

    Checked 23 October 2026

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

More work experience opportunities

All opportunities

Faculty of Engineering technician work experience (Years 10 and 12)

Open now

Work experienceUniversity of Nottingham, Faculty of Engineering

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham offers a small number of one-week work experience placements for Year 10 and Year 12 students. Students move between areas of the faculty to see what engineering technicians do. Applications are via an online form.

Worth
A one-week placement across the faculty to see the engineering technician role. Only 15 single placements are offered per year, so it is competitive.
Who
Year 10 and Year 12 students interested in practical and technical engineering.
Entry
Students apply themselves
Deadline
One-week placements. Applications close Friday 4 December. Placement dates are requested on the form and are not guaranteed.

Visit nottingham.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Faculty of Engineering technician work experience (Years 10 and 12)

AtkinsRéalis virtual work experience (Springpod)

Open now

Work experienceAtkinsRéalis with Springpod

An on-demand virtual work experience programme with engineering and design consultancy AtkinsRéalis, covering consultancy, infrastructure and transport, nuclear and sustainability across nine modules. It includes activities, case studies and expert sessions and ends with a certificate of completion. Springpod lists over 8 hours of content.

Worth
A certificate of completion and an insight into consultancy, infrastructure, nuclear and sustainability careers, plus early careers advice on apprenticeships and graduate schemes.
Who
Anyone aged 13 and over
Entry
Students apply themselves
When
On demand; programme dates 14 September 2026 to 26 June 2027

Visit springpod.com (opens in a new tab)Details: AtkinsRéalis virtual work experience (Springpod)

Build the Future with Thales virtual work experience (Springpod)

Open now

Work experienceThales with Springpod

An on-demand virtual work experience programme with Thales covering aerospace and space, digital identity and cybersecurity, and defence and security. Students hear from Thales colleagues, complete activities and quizzes and receive a certificate of completion. Springpod lists over 7 hours of content.

Worth
A certificate of completion, application advice, a mock assessment centre activity and insight into aerospace, space, cybersecurity and defence careers at Thales.
Who
Students aged 13 and over
Entry
Students apply themselves
When
On demand; programme dates 21 March 2026 to 21 March 2027

Visit springpod.com (opens in a new tab)Details: Build the Future with Thales virtual work experience (Springpod)