The honest guide to becoming an engineer in the UK

Newsletter
BorntoEngineer
Get the weekly newsletter

ClubNational Saturday Club

National Saturday Club: Science and Engineering clubs

Free weekly Saturday clubs for 13 to 16 year olds, hosted at universities and colleges, with Science and Engineering one of the subjects. Students find a local club on the map and register.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked

At a glance

Run by
National Saturday Club[1]
Who it’s for
Young people aged 13 to 16 of all abilities.[2]
Entry
Students apply themselves
Cost
Free to attend. Travel is not paid for (not rechecked).[2]
Year groups
Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12, Year 13
Where
UK-wide (UK-wide (club finder map))
Format
In person
Funding
Bursaries or funding available

Sources

2 sources

  1. National Saturday Club

    National Saturday Club – Explore exciting subjects on Saturday mornings for free

    Young people across the country are spending Saturday mornings at their local university, college or museum discovering subjects they love.

    Checked 24 October 2026

  2. National Saturday Club

    National Saturday Club – Explore exciting subjects on Saturday mornings for free

    Saturday Clubs are open to 13–16-year-olds of all abilities and are free to attend.

    Checked 24 October 2026

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

Apply any time

Each club sets its own timing, and some are closed for the current year. No general deadline.

Apply on saturday-club.org (opens in a new tab)

More club opportunities

All opportunities

BMFA model aircraft and drone clubs (youth membership and free trial flight)

Apply any time

ClubBritish Model Flying Association (BMFA)

The BMFA is the national governing body for model flying, with more than 750 affiliated clubs across the UK. Teenagers can join as a youth member for £20 and ask for a free trial flight with an instructor at a nearby club. It is a practical route into aerodynamics, electronics and drone building.

Worth
Hands-on aerodynamics, electronics and build skills through a national governing body with local clubs and instructors.
Who
Under 18s who want to build and fly model aircraft or drones through a local affiliated club. Under 18s need a parent or guardian to complete the trial flight form and attend.
Entry
Students or a school can enter
When
Join any time. 2026 membership expires 31 December 2026.

Visit bmfa.org (opens in a new tab)Details: BMFA model aircraft and drone clubs (youth membership and free trial flight)

RSGB Youth: amateur radio for under 26s

Apply any time

ClubRadio Society of Great Britain (RSGB)

The RSGB runs a youth section for under 26s covering licensing, making kit, digital comms and contacts with the International Space Station. Licensed young people get free digital membership and can join a fortnightly DMR Youth Net. Local clubs and training courses can be found through the RSGB finders.

Worth
An industry-recognised licence plus hands-on RF, electronics and digital comms experience.
Who
Anyone aged 25 or under interested in amateur radio, electronics and making their own kit.
Entry
Students apply themselves
When
Join any time. Fortnightly DMR Youth Net.

Visit rsgb.org (opens in a new tab)Details: RSGB Youth: amateur radio for under 26s

UKRA junior membership and rocketry club network

Apply any time

ClubUnited Kingdom Rocketry Association (UKRA)

UKRA is the UK body for model and high power rocketry and offers a cheap junior membership for under 18s. Members get the safety code, certification routes and a network of affiliated clubs that fly together. UKRA also publishes a free youth rocketry course handbook.

Worth
Safety-code based rocketry with certification and a national club network.
Who
Young rocketeers under 18 (junior membership) who want to learn to build and fly model rockets safely.
Entry
Students apply themselves
When
Membership is a yearly subscription running from January to December. Join any time.

Visit ukra.org.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: UKRA junior membership and rocketry club network