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CompetitionInstitution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

Formula Student

University teams design, build and race a single-seat car at Silverstone. Ask universities whether they have a team.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked

At a glance

Run by
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)[1]
Who it’s for
University teams (one to aim for when choosing a university)[2]
Year groups
Post-18
Where
UK-wide
Format
In person

Formula Student (FS) is Europe’s most established educational motorsport competition, run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.[1] Backed by industry and high profile engineers such as our Patron Ross Brawn OBE, the competition aims to inspire and develop enterprising and innovative young engineers. Universities from across the globe are challenged to design and build a single-seat racing car in order to compete in static and dynamic events, which demonstrate their understanding and test the performance of the vehicle. Find out what is involved in the challenge

Sources

3 sources

  1. Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

    Formula Student

    Backed by industry and high-profile engineers such Patron, Ross Brawn OBE, the competition aims to develop enterprising and innovative young engineers

    Checked 14 October 2026

  2. Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

    Formula Student

    Formula Student (FS) is Europe's most established educational engineering competition, challenging university teams to design, build and race a single-seater race car.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  3. Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)

    Formula Student: key dates

    Provisional dates for Formula Student 2026 at Silverstone are 15-19 July 2026 inclusive.

    Checked 14 October 2026

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

More competition opportunities

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Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

Open now

CompetitionSamsung UK

A free national tech-for-good competition and innovation programme. Students, alone or in teams of up to four, come up with a tech idea in one of three categories: Smarter Sport, Greener Future or Safer Online. Semi-finalists get mentoring and prototype funding before a national final in London.

Worth
Mentoring, work experience with Samsung, Samsung tech and a place on the Piccadilly Circus screen
Who
Students aged 11 to 18 at secondary schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland, alone or in teams of up to four
Deadline
Entries close on 18 January 2027; national final on 29 and 30 April 2027

Visit solvefortomorrowuk.com (opens in a new tab)Details: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

FIRST LEGO League Challenge

Open now

CompetitionThe IET (UK delivery partner)

Teams build and program a LEGO robot and work on an innovation project around the season's theme, then compete at regional tournaments.

Cost
From £285 a team; funding packages available
Who
Teams of up to 10 young people aged 9 to 16, through a school or youth group
When
Registration for the 2026-27 season is open; regional tournaments, then the UK final

Visit education.theiet.org (opens in a new tab)Details: FIRST LEGO League Challenge