Start in Year 10 with free online work experience and competitions, and look for a residential course or a research placement in Year 12. Much of it is free or paid for, and there are scholarships to apply for along the way.
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.[1][2]
Enter a science or engineering project, alone or in a team, and get feedback from STEM professionals. Finalists can show it at The Big Bang Fair.[3][4][5][6]
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.[1][2]
Enter a science or engineering project, alone or in a team, and get feedback from STEM professionals. Finalists can show it at The Big Bang Fair.[3][4][5][6]
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.[1][2]
Enter a science or engineering project, alone or in a team, and get feedback from STEM professionals. Finalists can show it at The Big Bang Fair.[3][4][5][6]
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.[1][2]
Enter a science or engineering project, alone or in a team, and get feedback from STEM professionals. Finalists can show it at The Big Bang Fair.[3][4][5][6]
Search and apply for apprenticeships in England. There is no fixed application time or method: keep looking and applying, and you can apply for apprenticeships alongside university.[49][50][51]
Industry-funded scholarships for power engineering students, with £3,000 a year, paid summer placements and a mentor. Up to 50 are awarded each year.[67][68]
The equal consideration date for applications to most undergraduate courses for 2027 entry. Completed applications can be sent from 1 September, once you have a reference.[69][70]
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.[1][2]
The RAF pays you through an engineering degree, with paid training in a University Air Squadron, in return for joining as an officer afterwards.[71][72]
Enter a science or engineering project, alone or in a team, and get feedback from STEM professionals. Finalists can show it at The Big Bang Fair.[3][4][5][6]
Search and apply for apprenticeships in England. There is no fixed application time or method: keep looking and applying, and you can apply for apprenticeships alongside university.[49][50][51]
Donor-funded scholarships for first-year engineering students, including the Sandman (£2,000 a year) and John and Anne Scott (£3,000 a year) awards.[88][89][90][91]
Industry-funded scholarships for power engineering students, with £3,000 a year, paid summer placements and a mentor. Up to 50 are awarded each year.[67][68]
The RAF pays you through an engineering degree, with paid training in a University Air Squadron, in return for joining as an officer afterwards.[71][72]
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.[1][2]
Enter a science or engineering project, alone or in a team, and get feedback from STEM professionals. Finalists can show it at The Big Bang Fair.[3][4][5][6]
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.[1][2]
Enter a science or engineering project, alone or in a team, and get feedback from STEM professionals. Finalists can show it at The Big Bang Fair.[3][4][5][6]
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.[1][2]
Enter a science or engineering project, alone or in a team, and get feedback from STEM professionals. Finalists can show it at The Big Bang Fair.[3][4][5][6]
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.[1][2]
Enter a science or engineering project, alone or in a team, and get feedback from STEM professionals. Finalists can show it at The Big Bang Fair.[3][4][5][6]
Search and apply for apprenticeships in England. There is no fixed application time or method: keep looking and applying, and you can apply for apprenticeships alongside university.[49][50][51]
Industry-funded scholarships for power engineering students, with £3,000 a year, paid summer placements and a mentor. Up to 50 are awarded each year.[67][68]
The equal consideration date for applications to most undergraduate courses for 2027 entry. Completed applications can be sent from 1 September, once you have a reference.[69][70]
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.[1][2]
The RAF pays you through an engineering degree, with paid training in a University Air Squadron, in return for joining as an officer afterwards.[71][72]
Enter a science or engineering project, alone or in a team, and get feedback from STEM professionals. Finalists can show it at The Big Bang Fair.[3][4][5][6]
Search and apply for apprenticeships in England. There is no fixed application time or method: keep looking and applying, and you can apply for apprenticeships alongside university.[49][50][51]
Donor-funded scholarships for first-year engineering students, including the Sandman (£2,000 a year) and John and Anne Scott (£3,000 a year) awards.[88][89][90][91]
Industry-funded scholarships for power engineering students, with £3,000 a year, paid summer placements and a mentor. Up to 50 are awarded each year.[67][68]
The RAF pays you through an engineering degree, with paid training in a University Air Squadron, in return for joining as an officer afterwards.[71][72]
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[145]
Who
Students aged 11 to 18 at secondary schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland, alone or in teams of up to four[2]
Deadline
[1]Entries close on 18 January 2027; national final on 29 and 30 April 2027
Start online: virtual work experience on Neon is free and open any time.[148] In Year 12, apply for a residential such as EDT's Insight into University[59] or a Nuffield Research Placement over the summer.[149] You can also email local engineering firms directly to ask.
Are there scholarships for engineering students?
Yes, at every stage. Arkwright Engineering Scholarships support students through sixth form and are applied for in Year 11.[41] At university, the IMechE offers £2,000 a year up to £8,000,[118] the IET £1,500 a year[113] and the Royal Academy of Engineering £5,000 over three years.[125]
Do competitions and clubs help applications?
Yes. They give you real examples to write about in applications and talk about at interview. Many are low cost or free: the Big Bang Competition is free to enter,[6] and CREST Awards start from £15.[8]
When should I apply for university and apprenticeships?
For 2027 entry, UCAS applications can be sent from 1 September; most courses close at 6pm on 13 January 2027.[69] Apprenticeships have no central deadline: employers recruit from the autumn, each with its own closing date, and you can apply alongside UCAS.[50]
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a free, award-winning innovation programme and national competition for 11-18-year-olds at secondary schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland.
Competitors must be aged between 11 and 18 when the project is entered, and in full-time state funded secondary education or who are home educated or who enter as part of a community group.
Competitors must be aged between 11 and 18 when the project is entered, and in full-time state funded secondary education or who are home educated or who enter as part of a community group.
Gold Award Typical ages 16+. A high-level, open-ended, independently led STEM investigation requiring around 70 hours of work demonstrating originality and depth.
Taking part is free for state-maintained schools. It’s a moderated, flexible activity, that is safe, secure, and easy to use. It’s suitable for ages from 10 years old.
Our hands-on engineering courses give young people aged 12-17 the chance to explore different engineering disciplines and gain real insight into exciting STEM careers.
Our online courses cost £150, whilst a three-day residential is £415. There can be exceptions to this, so please check individual course pages for details.
We release dates regularly throughout the year, so please check the website for updates. ... Suitable for students aged 14-18, our virtual 5-day programme will guide them through a real-life engineering challenge.
Users can search, filter and sort opportunities by career type, industry, subject and closing date, making it simple to narrow down what matters most to them.
The ICE CityZen Award challenges students aged 16-18 to become virtual civil engineers and design bold, inclusive, and sustainable solutions for the communities of tomorrow. The competition is in two parts – the four-round CityZen Award computer game and an optional project.
ice.org.uk blocks automated requests; text checked on the Wayback Machine copy of 21 July 2026. The page also says: "This shorter ICE CityZen challenge invites students aged 14-16".
ICE’s two CityZen competitions feature our unique and award-winning digital challenges and are free to enter – with great prizes too! They take place in the autumn term and can be completed flexibly to fit into your schools’ extra-curricular time.
ice.org.uk blocks automated checks; quoted from the archive.
Free to access Open to anyone aged 14+ Complete at your own pace Earn a certificate of completion ... The programme includes more than six hours of engaging content ... The programme covers industries including energy, food and drink, water and healthcare.
That’s why Rolls-Royce has partnered with Springpod to create accessible experiences, giving you a free way to explore our industry ... In just 1-2 hours, you will step into authentic roles, tackle genuine tasks
There is around 10 hours worth of work in total, spread across a two week period. ... a recording will be available for you to access through your programme within 24 hours of the live event finishing.
Young people should be 15/16 years old and apply when they’re in the year that they sit all or the majority of their GCSEs, Scottish National 5s or equivalent exams. In the vast majority of cases, that’s Year 11 (England and Wales), S4 (Scotland) and Year 12 (Northern Ireland).
Please note there is a £45 fee for each submitted application, but state schools and youth organisations get two free applications per year and schools can also use the Pupil Premium to help fund these as well.
is a 4-day, on-site experience designed to help you build your future skills, boost your employability and explore where your ambitions could take you.
About to sit your GCSEs? Hungry to become a Royal Navy Engineer Officer? You can apply for financial support towards achieving the further qualifications you need.
Same page lists University Cadetship Entry, DSUS and a fully funded foundation degree “at the same time as earning a salary”. Internet Archive copy of 8 October 2026.
You can apply for as many apprenticeships as you like, on top of your university applications. It’s more like applying to a job – positions can start at any time of year and application deadlines differ between employers.
One of the challenges of work-based schemes is that there is no fixed application time or method of applying. Students will need to keep looking and applying from autumn onwards to make sure they don't miss out.
Complete tasks guided by pre-recorded videos and example answers from our team at GE Aerospace. No live sessions, all self-paced. Earn a certificate and add it to your resume and LinkedIn as an extra curricular activity.
[Applications for 2025 are now closed and will reopen in October 2026.] A scholarship of up to £1,000 for students on further or higher education courses that could lead to becoming a qualified ICE technician member.
Internet Archive copy of 12 January 2026; current status not confirmable (live site blocks automated access).
In2STEM is entirely free to join, and we provide a bursary to cover travel and lunch expenses during placements! To date, we have supported 5,350 young people on In2STEM across the UK
Applications for 2025/26 are now closed. To register your interest in Insight into University Residential Experience 2026/27, please complete the form below.
Insight into University courses in 2026 are offered at a subsidised rate of £240 for 4 days non-residential experience, £295 for 5 days non-residential experience£475 for 3 nights residential and £595 for 4 nights residential courses.
This is a four-day local (non-residential) experience that provides young people aged 16+ an amazing opportunity to explore STEM educational providers and companies, network with role models within the sector and develop a range of key skills through hands-on activities.
For those who plan to join the RAF as an Engineer/ Cyberspace Officer £5000 per academic year Tuition fees (Government National Limit) Plus up to £55 per day for up to 30 days of training per year
Live page blocks automated access; Internet Archive copy of 4 October 2026.
30 Jun (18:00 UK time) Applications received by this deadline will be sent to universities and colleges After this time, applications are automatically entered into Clearing.
Students can apply to the programme during their final year of A levels/ Highers/ Advanced Highers or equivalent study, for a year’s work experience prior to going to university or as a year to help decide on the future direction of their career - be that higher apprenticeship, university or work.
A student due to start the first year of a full-time degree course can apply for this prestigious scholarship worth up to £8,000 over the course of study with paid summer work placements for company-sponsored scholars.
ICE blocks automated access; Internet Archive copy of 12 January 2026. Same page lists sponsors Costain, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Mott MacDonald and WSP.
Use the searchable database to find out what scholarships are on offer. Use the filters to narrow down the results most relevant to you, your course and type of study.
From September 2026 students in the existing CyberFirst Bursary scheme will become TechFirst scholars, joining our first new cohort. Applications for the 2027/28 academic year will open this autumn.
A new TechGrad University Scholarship launches in November 2026 The UK Government will provide £4k/annum university scholarships and support for up to 1150 domestic students each year
Applications will open in the week commencing 14 September 2026 , and only registered students who meet the relevant eligibility criteria will be able to apply via the Student Portal .
It's open to current and recent design engineering students, and is run by the James Dyson Foundation , James Dyson’s charitable trust, as part of its mission to get young people excited about design engineering.
You can be in any year of your degree course, except the first or final year. You must have achieved an overall average of at least 60% from your most recent end of year assessment.
You’re commencing study, or are already in the second, third, or fourth year of an IET-accredited MEng or BEng electrical, electronic or power engineering course, at the below universities.
Receive an annual financial award during their two years with us to spend on STEM related equipment or activities (£250 per year for 2027- 29 scholarships)
The Beatrice Shilling Scholarship is a scholarship for UK fee-paying students, who are women and hold an offer to study an undergraduate engineering course at the University of Manchester.
You can apply from Year 11 (England and Wales), Year 12 (NI) or S4, and need to achieve at least grade 7/A in English Language, Maths and 3 other subjects.
royalnavy.mod.uk blocks automated checks; quoted from the archive.
To be eligible, you need to be starting a full-time accredited civil engineering undergraduate degree at a UK university in September/October 2025 and have predicted A-level grades of ABB or higher.
2025-entry wording (Internet Archive, 11 August 2025); live page blocks automated access.
Checked 14 October 2026
GOV.UK (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Each year we will award two bursaries to students at the end of their second year. The recipients will receive £1,500 for each remaining year of their programme.
Checked 14 October 2026
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
Student members of IOM3 (for a minimum of 12 months prior to application) who are undertaking an IOM3 Accredited or Certified undergraduate degree programme in any materials, minerals or mining-related discipline.
Checked 14 October 2026
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3)
We're offering this scholarship as part of the University's Widening Participation scheme to applicants from under-represented groups and students with contextual offers.
The scholarships covers £15,000 per year, to be used towards maintenance costs. The award is for a maximum of 4 years, excluding repeat periods of study.
Have an offer of admissions from the university to study a four-year full-time undergraduate course from the Department of Mechanical Engineering in Autumn 2026; Be female; Demonstrate exceptional academic merit and/or potential.
Full-time study - £10,000 per year for up to 4 years (excluding industrial placements) Part-time/Sandwich - The award will be paid on a pro rata basis The Whitworth Scholarship Award will not exceed a total of £40,000 for any individual.
Applicants must have pursued a vocational route in an engineering discipline typically for at least 2 years after having left full-time education and before entering a degree-level engineering course.
The eligibility criteria and overall experience will not change, ensuring that students receive the same benefits.
Checked 14 October 2026
Free, every Monday
Born to Engineer Weekly
The week’s engineering news, deadlines worth knowing and a guide to help you take the next step.
Each issue rounds up the engineering stories worth reading, the apprenticeships, courses, competitions and work experience with deadlines coming up, and a short guide to one route into the industry. It’s written for students, parents and carers, and teachers.
