The honest guide to becoming an engineer in the UK

Newsletter
BorntoEngineer
Get the weekly newsletter

Taster courseImperial College London

Imperial STEM Potential (Year 10 and Year 12 entry)

A two-year Imperial programme for state school students that includes workshops, e-mentoring and university preparation. Year 12 entry opens 30 October 2026.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked

At a glance

Run by
Imperial College London[1]
Who it’s for
State school students from under-represented backgrounds in Year 10 or Year 12 who live within one hour of South Kensington.[2]
Entry
Students apply themselves
Worth
A two-year programme of workshops, mentoring and a summer school.[3]
Cost
No fee stated; travel support available on request.[4]
Year groups
Year 10, Year 12
Where
England (London (South Kensington))
Format
In person
Dates
to
Funding
Bursaries or funding available

Sources

4 sources

  1. Imperial College London

    STEM Potential | Be inspired | Imperial College London

    Applications for Year 12 students will open on Friday 30 October 2026

    Checked 24 October 2026

  2. Imperial College London

    STEM Potential | Be inspired | Imperial College London

    This Outreach programme is funded by Imperial College London and aims to support state school students from backgrounds under-represented at university and Imperial.

    Checked 24 October 2026

  3. Imperial College London

    STEM Potential | Be inspired | Imperial College London

    STEM Potential supports you through years 10 and 12 with insightful lectures, subject-specific workshops and a non-residential summer school.

    Checked 24 October 2026

  4. Imperial College London

    STEM Potential | Be inspired | Imperial College London

    If you think your participation in this programme will not be possible due to the costs associated with travel to our campus, please get in touch with the programme team

    Checked 24 October 2026

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

More taster course opportunities

All opportunities

Pathways to Engineering at the University of Liverpool

Closes in 9 days

Taster courseUniversity of Liverpool (with the Sutton Trust)

A two-year Year 12 programme run by the University of Liverpool School of Engineering and the Sutton Trust. Students attend taster sessions on campus, industry insight events and a 3-day residential at the University of Warwick, with UCAS guidance and A-Level tutoring in Year 13.

Worth
Campus taster sessions, industry insight events, UCAS and student finance guidance, a 3-day residential at Warwick and A-Level tutoring in Year 13.
Who
Current Year 12 students at state-funded, non-fee-paying schools or colleges, studying A-Level Maths, able to commute to the University of Liverpool and meeting at least one widening participation criterion.
Entry
Students apply themselves
Deadline
Two-year project for current Year 12 students. Applications close 2 November 2026.

Visit liverpool.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Pathways to Engineering at the University of Liverpool

Sutton Trust Pathways to Engineering (two-year programme)

Closes in 9 days

Taster courseThe Sutton Trust

A free two-year Sutton Trust programme for state-school Year 12 students studying A Level Maths who want to explore engineering. It combines university taster sessions, mentoring, a work placement and an optional residential conference at Warwick.

Worth
A two-year programme with university taster sessions, mentoring, a work placement with a leading employer and an optional residential conference.
Who
Year 12 students in England or Wales (Year 13 in Northern Ireland, S5 in Scotland) at state-funded schools or colleges, studying A Level Maths and meeting the widening-participation criteria.
Entry
Students apply themselves
Deadline
Applications close 2 November 2026. The programme runs over two academic years from Year 12, with an optional residential conference at the University of Warwick.

Visit pathwaysprogrammes.suttontrust.com (opens in a new tab)Details: Sutton Trust Pathways to Engineering (two-year programme)

Oxford Physics Year 12 Taster Morning (November 2026)

Closes in 16 days

Taster courseUniversity of Oxford, Department of Physics

An online morning for Year 12 physics and maths students to find out what studying physics at Oxford involves. Registration is through a short online form.

Worth
Insight into studying physics at Oxford.
Who
Year 12 (or equivalent) students studying Maths and Physics at A level or equivalent.
Entry
Students apply themselves
Deadline
Saturday 14 November 2026, 10.00am to 12.45pm, online. Register by 5pm on Monday 9 November 2026.

Visit physics.ox.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Oxford Physics Year 12 Taster Morning (November 2026)