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CompetitionStudent Robotics

Student Robotics 2027

Teams of 16 to 19 year olds build and program a fully autonomous robot from a supplied kit, supported by volunteer mentors, and compete at a two-day spring competition.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked

At a glance

Run by
Student Robotics[1]
Who it’s for
Teams of 4 to 6 students aged 16 to 19, plus an adult supervisor (usually a teacher). The adult must be over 18 to register interest.[2]
Entry
A teacher or school enters
Worth
A loaned robot kit (returned after the competition), volunteer mentoring and a spring competition weekend. Teams program a fully autonomous robot.[3]
Cost
Free to enter (sponsor funded). Teams usually pay their own travel and some robot materials.[4]
Year groups
Year 12, Year 13
Where
UK-wide (UK; Kickstart and competition venues vary)
Format
In person

Sources

4 sources

  1. Student Robotics

    Compete | Student Robotics

    Using our kit, teams will build a fully autonomous robot.

    Checked 24 October 2026

  2. Student Robotics

    Compete | Student Robotics

    Teams usually consist of 4-6 students aged 16-19, plus an adult team supervisor who is able to take responsibility for the competitors;

    Checked 24 October 2026

  3. Student Robotics

    Compete | Student Robotics

    We match up volunteers to teams for mentoring.

    Checked 24 October 2026

  4. Student Robotics

    Compete | Student Robotics

    Thanks to our sponsors, teams can enter the competition for free.

    Checked 24 October 2026

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

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Closes in 7 days

CompetitionSentinus

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Worth
£1,000 for each category winner. The overall Sentinus Young Innovator wins a funded trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair 2027 in the USA, plus an accelerator programme and industry links.
Who
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Entry
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Deadline
Registrations close 31 October 2026. Online poster submission by 6 November 2026. Live finals on Thursday 26 November 2026 at Ulster University, Belfast.

Visit sentinus.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Sentinus Young Innovators 2026 (Young Engineer of the Year)

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CompetitionUniversity of Cambridge Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, with IChemE

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Worth
An expert mentor for each team, webinars, and for the winners a cash prize, a trophy and a day at the department.
Who
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Entry
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Deadline
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Visit ceb.cam.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: Davidson Inventors Challenge 2026/27

STEM Racing Yorkshire and Humber: University of Leeds support and regional competition 2027

Closes in 20 days

CompetitionUniversity of Leeds Access and Outreach

The University of Leeds is a Centre of Excellence for STEM Racing for secondary schools and sixth form colleges in Yorkshire and the Humber. Teams get design support, free 3D-printed car manufacturing and a test track session before the regional competition at STEM Learning, York on 2 February 2027. A teacher must be the main contact.

Worth
Design support from a School of Mechanical Engineering academic, free manufacturing of up to 3 cars, an hour of exclusive test track access, and a chance to progress to the National and World Finals.
Who
Student teams aged 9 to 19 from schools and sixth form colleges in Yorkshire and the Humber (Entry Class ages 11 to 14, Development Class ages 11 to 19), entered by a teacher.
Entry
A teacher or school enters
Deadline
Design support by 13 November 2026; manufacturing designs by 27 November 2026; test track 14 December 2026; regional competition 2 February 2027

Visit accessandoutreach.leeds.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: STEM Racing Yorkshire and Humber: University of Leeds support and regional competition 2027