The honest guide to becoming an engineer in the UK

Newsletter
BorntoEngineer
Get the weekly newsletter

Taster courseUniversity of Oxford Department of Engineering Science

Uncover Engineering 2027 (Year 10 residential, girls and Black African and Caribbean heritage programmes)

A free four-day residential at Oxford for Year 10 students from state schools, with separate programmes for girls and for students of Black, African or Caribbean heritage. Days are filled with engineering workshops showing how maths and physics apply to engineering, plus a glimpse of university life. Successful applicants are invited to follow-on activities in later years.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked

At a glance

Run by
University of Oxford Department of Engineering Science[1]
Who it’s for
UK-based Year 10 students at state schools: girls, and students of Black, African or Caribbean heritage. Applicants should be predicted at least six GCSEs at 7 to 9, including Maths, Science and English.[2]
Entry
Students apply themselves
Worth
Four days of engineering workshops, a taste of college life and an invitation to follow-on programmes in later years.
Cost
Free; travel bursaries available for eligible students[3]
Year groups
Year 10
Where
UK-wide (Oxford (residential))
Format
In person
Dates
to
Funding
Bursaries or funding available

Sources

4 sources

  1. University of Oxford Department of Engineering Science

    Information about Uncover Engineering – Year 10 Residential Programme

    Uncover is a residential programme run by Oxford University that gives girls and Black, African and Caribbean heritage students the opportunity to explore how maths and physics relate to Engineering, while offering a glimpse into university life.

    Checked 23 October 2026

  2. University of Oxford Department of Engineering Science

    Information about Uncover Engineering – Year 10 Residential Programme

    The programme is open to UK-based students from state schools in Year 10.

    Checked 23 October 2026

  3. University of Oxford Department of Engineering Science

    Information about Uncover Engineering – Year 10 Residential Programme

    The Uncover programme is completely free. There are travel bursaries available for eligible students where this is a barrier to attending.

    Checked 23 October 2026

  4. University of Oxford Department of Engineering Science

    Information about Uncover Engineering – Year 10 Residential Programme

    15 October 2026 - Applications open 31 December 2026 at 5pm - Applications close

    Checked 23 October 2026

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

Apply by

Heritage programme 30 March to 2 April 2027; girls' programme 5 to 8 April 2027. Applications close 5pm on 31 December 2026.[4]

Apply on eng.ox.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)

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)