If you’re considering engineering as a future major, exploring engineering internships in the UK for high school students can help you understand what engineers actually do. School introduces many of the concepts that engineers use, but it rarely shows how those concepts are applied to real problems.

Imagine spending part of your summer inside an aerospace facility, seeing how aircraft are built, visiting robotics labs, or learning how engineers solve problems in manufacturing and transportation. You could attend design meetings, review test data, tour research spaces, and watch engineering work unfold beyond the classroom.

Why pursue an engineering internship in the UK?

The UK has long been a hub for engineering innovation. From aerospace and automotive engineering to renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure, the country is home to industries that continue to shape how people live, travel, and work. For students interested in engineering, this creates access to a wide range of internship opportunities across different specialisations.

Many internships are connected to leading universities, research institutions, and engineering companies, giving students exposure to both academic research and industry practice. Whether you’re interested in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, aerospace, robotics, or sustainability, you’ll find opportunities to explore the field from multiple angles while learning from professionals working in it every day.

Beyond helping you understand engineering as a career, these internships can also strengthen college applications by showing initiative and genuine interest in the field. More importantly, they help students answer an important question before university applications begin: Is engineering something I actually want to spend the next four years studying?

To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 15 engineering internships in the UK for high school students!

For adjacent opportunities, consider engineering summer programs.

Key Takeaways

• Costs range from free, as with Nuffield Research Placements and several Imperial College programs, to £7,695 for Imperial College London’s Engineering Summer School.
• Several free programs are restricted to UK state school students or specific widening participation criteria, including Nuffield Research Placements, STEM Learning Research Placements, and In2STEM.
• Program length ranges from three days, as with British Airways’ Work Experience programmes, to a three-year combined study and work pathway, as with the FDM Apprenticeship Programme.
• Several programs offer a stipend or bursary alongside the placement, including Nuffield Research Placements at £100 per week and In2STEM’s travel bursary support.
• International students are welcomed at a smaller set of paid programs, including InvestIN Summer Experiences, King’s College London’s Pre-University course, and Imperial College London’s Engineering Summer School.
• BAE Systems’ work experience weeks stand out for offering a nationally recognized Silver Industrial Cadet Award alongside hands-on access to aerospace and defense engineering facilities.
• Immerse Education’s Engineering Summer Internship is one of the few options open to students worldwide aged 13 to 18, with age-specific curricula and small classes averaging 7 students per group.

15 Engineering Internships in the UK for High School Students

1. Nuffield Research Placements

Location: Across the UK (hosted by research institutions, universities, and industry partners)
Cost: Free, plus a £100/week bursary
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by region, typically mid-April each year
Eligibility: High-achieving students in Year 12 or S5 (16+) in full-time education studying science, technology, engineering, or math subjects; more info here; not open to international students

Among the many engineering internships in the UK for high school students, Nuffield Research Placements give you the chance to work on a live STEM research question with guidance from a professional mentor. If you are interested in engineering, you can look for placements connected to engineering, computing, mathematics, technology, or applied research. The experience is designed to help you work independently while still receiving support, which makes it a useful preparation for university-style study.

During the placement, you may collect data, analyse findings, review technical information, or contribute to a development-focused project. You will also complete a scientific or technical report and create a research poster to present your work clearly. For students building a STEM profile, the opportunity can also support applications for awards such as the Gold CREST Award or the Big Bang Competition.

Why it stands out: Gives you a genuine research-style placement rather than a simple career taster, with the chance to contribute to a live STEM project and turn your work into a technical report, poster, or award submission.

2. Immerse Education’s Engineering Summer School

Location: London, Oxford, and Cambridge
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students around the world aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

As one of the most academically focused engineering internships in the UK for high school students, the Academic Insights Engineering Summer School is a structured way to learn about university-level engineering from top professors at schools like Oxford and Cambridge. The program combines theory with hands-on learning in small classes with an average of 7 students. The course teaches students aged 13 to 15 the basics of mechanics, forces, materials, and basic electronics. You learn how engineers solve problems through guided workshops and design tasks.

For students ages 16 to 18, the curriculum moves on to mechanical systems, electrical circuits, sustainability, and applied engineering design. You work on more independent projects and look at real engineering problems, which helps develop the reasoning skills expected of college students. Learning includes university-style lectures, problem-solving sessions, weekly one-on-one tutorials, and a personal engineering project that ends with written feedback and a certificate.

Why it stands out: Age-specific syllabi tailored to students’ academic stages, expert tutors from leading universities, small-group teaching that encourages discussion, and personalised feedback that supports meaningful academic growth and university readiness.

3. STEM Learning Research Placements

Location: Various UK host organizations (offices, museums, labs, fieldwork), GB
Cost: None; travel bursary provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Up to 2 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Opens in December
Eligibility: Year 12 UK students (England/Wales)/S5 (Scotland)/Year 13 (Northern Ireland) from low-income/under-represented/first-gen uni backgrounds; additional criteria apply; not open to international students

STEM Learning Research Placements place you in a professional STEM environment where you can explore how engineering and related subjects are applied beyond the classroom. You may work with universities, research centres, laboratories, industry partners, or other host organisations, depending on the placement available. If your interest is engineering, you can indicate that preference and potentially contribute to a project involving design, data, technology, applied science, or technical problem-solving.

Alongside the placement, you complete pre- and post-program activities that develop your understanding of research methods and workplace skills. The final report or reflective work gives you a concrete outcome to discuss in future university or apprenticeship applications.

Why it stands out: This program is especially strong for students seeking accessible, supervised STEM experience, with the option to explore engineering-focused placements while working in real research, lab, industry, or fieldwork environments.

4. NPL Academy

Location: National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex
Cost: Free; travel and meal costs not covered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 30-50 students
Dates: July
Application Deadline: Applications typically open around December
Eligibility: Students in Year 10 to Year 13 enrolled in UK schools; international student eligibility not specified

For students comparing engineering internships in the UK for high school students, NPL Academy introduces you to work experience at the National Physical Laboratory, one of the UK’s major research institutions. The program places you in a small team, where you work with NPL staff on a technical task linked to areas such as engineering, electronics, fibre optics, microscopy, quantum science, programming, or prototyping.

You take part in project work across the week and learn how technical teams plan, test, and communicate their ideas. The schedule also includes demonstrations, team-building activities, and lab exposure, helping you understand how different disciplines connect inside a research facility. At the end of the week, your team presents its work to the cohort and guests.

Why it stands out: Gives you rare access to a national research facility, where you can work with technical mentors on projects linked to areas such as electronics, engineering, fibre optics, quantum science, programming, and prototyping.

5. FDM Apprenticeship Programme

Location: Sheffield Hallam University/Northeastern University, London
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Three-year program combining degree study and ongoing client placements, specific dates vary by cohort and sector
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 16+ in the UK who meet degree entry requirements in digital and technology solutions; not open to international students

The FDM Apprenticeship Programme is a longer-term route for students who want to combine paid work with academic study in digital technology. While it is not a short summer internship, it can be a strong option if you are interested in engineering-adjacent fields such as software development, information security, automation, robotics process automation, or technical support.

You spend part of your time studying with a partner university and the rest working on practical technology projects within FDM or client environments. This balance allows you to build technical skills while understanding how digital systems are used in professional settings. Early work may involve internal projects before progressing into more client-facing responsibilities. 

Why it stands out: Offers a paid, longer-term pathway into technology and engineering-adjacent careers, combining professional work, university study, client projects, mentorship, and practical experience in digital systems.

6. In2STEM

Location: Across the UK
Cost: None; travel bursary provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 20th – August 21st
Application Deadline: April 5th
Eligibility: UK students in Year 12 or S5/S6 (16-19) with a strong interest in STEM; not open to international students

In2STEM combines in-person STEM placements with online skills development, making it a strong option if you want actual work experience before university. The program introduces you to careers across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with placements arranged within a commutable distance.

If you are interested in engineering, you may gain exposure to practical project work, technical problem-solving, or professional environments where STEM skills are used daily. Online workshops support the placement by helping you build employability, communication, and career-readiness skills. You may also take part in public engagement challenges, which can help you learn how to explain technical ideas to wider audiences. 

Why it stands out: This is a strong option if you want a mix of placement experience, online skills workshops, career exposure, and STEM confidence-building, with bursary support that makes participation more accessible.

7. InvestIN Summer Experiences

Location: University College London (UCL) and the surrounding University of London campus, London
Cost: Tuition starts at £2,225 – £4,400 (residential packages £3,725 – £7,550)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited spots per program
Dates: Intakes on July 6th, July 2nd, and August 17th
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18; open to international students

InvestIN Summer Experiences are career-focused programs that help you explore engineering and related professions through simulations, site visits, and professional-led sessions. You will work through practical tasks designed to reflect how engineers and other specialists approach problems in real workplaces.

The program also includes visits to London-based workplaces and academic sessions hosted around UCL or the University of London campus, giving you exposure to both professional and university-style settings. Feedback sessions help you understand what strong performance looks like in competitive industries. Some experiences also allow you to work towards a Level 3 Award in Work Experience, which can support future academic applications.

Why it stands out: InvestIN stands out for its career-simulation format, giving you a fast-paced introduction to engineering and related professions through practical tasks, site visits, industry feedback, and university-based sessions in London.

8. King’s College London Pre-University – Science, Technology & Engineering 

Location: King’s College London, London, UK
Cost: £2900 + Application Fee £60
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: July 6-10 (session one) and July 20-24 (session three)
Application Deadline: April 27th
Eligibility: High-achieving students who are about to start or who are enrolled in their final two years of high school and are typically aged 16 and 17; must be aged 16 before the start date of the course; English language level must be at level B2 in the CEFR; open to international students

King’s College London’s Pre-University Science, Technology & Engineering course is a strong option among the many engineering internships in the UK for high school students if you want a university-style introduction to modern engineering and applied science. The course is especially relevant if you are interested in the connection between engineering, biomedical technology, AI, robotics, and digital design.

You will study topics such as microprocessors, digital logic, medical imaging, 3D printing, computer-aided design, and artificial intelligence through lectures, seminars, discussions, and practical lab work. The teaching format mirrors aspects of undergraduate study, helping you understand how academic engineering differs from school-level science and maths. Group assignments and presentations also help you practise collaboration and technical communication. 

Why it stands out: Connects engineering with biomedical technology, robotics, AI, medical imaging, 3D printing, and digital design, making it ideal if you want a modern, interdisciplinary view of the field.

9. Oxford UNIQ – Engineering

Location: University of Oxford, Oxford
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: July 6-10 or July 13-17
Application Deadline: January 13th
Eligibility: Check here; not open to international students

Oxford UNIQ’s Engineering course gives you a focused introduction to engineering science at the University of Oxford. The program explores how engineers combine maths, physics, creativity, and design to solve technical problems. You will examine areas such as robotics, 3D printing, structural design, and applied engineering principles, helping you understand the breadth of the discipline.

A key part of the experience is moving from theory into practice through design, prototyping, and testing activities. This makes the program useful if you want to understand not only what engineers study, but also how they approach problem-solving. Subject ambassadors also support the course, offering insight into undergraduate engineering life and the academic expectations at Oxford.

Why it stands out: This option is especially strong as it gives you a subject-specific introduction to engineering science at Oxford, with hands-on design, prototyping, testing, and insight into undergraduate engineering life.

10. Imperial College London – Engineering Summer School

Location: Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London
Cost: £7,695
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: June 29th – July 10th | August 3-14
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 16-17 | Majority of grades 9-7 (A*-A) at GCSE or equivalent | Minimum grade 7 (A) in math and relevant science subjects | English language proficiency required; open to international students

Imperial College London’s Engineering Summer School gives you a broad, hands-on introduction to several engineering disciplines. Across the program, you explore areas such as aeronautical, chemical, civil, mechanical, and design engineering through workshops, lectures, seminars, and practical activities. You may build and test prototypes, conduct experiments, collect and analyse data, and work in teams to solve engineering challenges.

The first part of the program focuses on specialist engineering exposure, while the second includes an Innovation Challenge led by Imperial Enterprise Lab. This challenge brings students from different subject areas together to develop and present a solution to a real-world problem. The experience also includes university preparation, campus living, and opportunities to understand how engineering is taught and applied at a research-intensive institution.

Why it stands out: Imperial’s Engineering Summer School stands out for its breadth, giving you exposure to multiple engineering disciplines, practical experiments, prototype-building, team challenges, and an innovation project led by Imperial Enterprise Lab.

11. Imperial College London – Year 12 Work Experience Programme

Location: Imperial College, London, UK
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 5 days in summer (stream dates vary by department)
Application Deadline: Typically early March; applications open in January, with closing dates dependent on the stream and year
Eligibility: Current Year 12 students at UK state schools who can commute daily to the London campus; not open to international students

Imperial College London’s Year 12 Work Experience program places you inside active university research environments for five days. Depending on the stream, you may explore areas such as bioengineering, chemical engineering, materials, climate science, mathematics, physics, or biomedical research. The experience is designed to show you how researchers and engineers structure their working days, manage projects, collaborate with others, and approach technical questions.

Lab visits, workshops, and department-led sessions give you insight into research methods used at the university level. You will also take part in small research-focused activities that help connect school subjects to real academic work. The program ends with a mini academic conference, where you present your work and practise explaining technical ideas clearly.

Why it stands out: Gives you a close look at how research works inside a top STEM university, with department-led activities, lab exposure, small research tasks, UCAS guidance, and a final mini academic conference.

12. British Airways Work Experience & School Programmes

Location: British Airways head office and operational sites across the UK, including London (Heathrow), Cardiff, and Glasgow
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Placements typically last 3-5 days in summer (exact scheduling varies by year; plus 1-day Insight Days)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis (applications open three times a year in September, January, and April)
Eligibility: Students from Year 10/S4 and above (typically aged 14-17+), UK residents with a valid passport, and able to travel to the placement location; not open to international students

As one of the more aviation-focused engineering internships in the UK for high school students, British Airways’ Work Experience and School programs give you a short look at careers in aviation, including engineering and operations. Placements typically involve department tours, guided activities, employability sessions, Q&A panels, and exposure to the behind-the-scenes work that keeps an airline running. If you are interested in engineering, the program can help you understand how technical teams support aircraft operations, maintenance, logistics, and wider aviation systems.

Some placements may involve observing workflows or contributing to a small task or project within a professional team. Staff mentors help explain career routes, training options, and the range of roles available in aviation. You can also use the Speedbird-Z platform to continue exploring aviation careers through online learning and events.

Why it stands out: Shows how engineering connects to the aviation industry, offering behind-the-scenes exposure to aircraft operations, logistics, technical teams, employability sessions, and career pathways in a major global airline.

13. Imperial College London – Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer School

Location: Imperial College, London
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: August 5-8
Application Deadline: January 12th – March 17th
Eligibility: Year 9 girls studying in UK non-fee-paying schools who are on track to achieve high grades in maths and science; not open to international students

Imperial College London’s Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer School introduces younger students to the breadth of engineering through practical activities and subject taster sessions. You will explore how maths and science connect to fields such as bioengineering, civil engineering, design engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, and related disciplines.

The program is built to help you understand engineering as more than one subject, showing how different branches solve different types of real-world problems. Workshops, talks, group challenges, and mentor support help you build confidence while working with peers who share similar interests. The program concludes with a group poster presentation, where you explain an engineering discipline or concept you explored during the week.

Why it stands out: This program is a strong early-entry option for girls interested in engineering, with hands-on taster sessions across multiple disciplines and a supportive environment designed to build confidence before GCSE subject choices become more serious.

14. Imperial College London – Year 10 Insights Summer School

Location: Imperial College, London
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: July 29th – August 1st
Application Deadline: March 11th
Eligibility: Year 10 students attending non-fee-paying schools in the UK who meet widening participation criteria and are on track to achieve high grades in maths and science; not open to international students

Imperial College London’s Year 10 Insights Summer School gives you an early look at university-level science and engineering. If you choose the engineering stream, you will take part in taster sessions that introduce different engineering disciplines, core concepts, hands-on activities, and current technologies being developed in research labs.

The residential format also gives you a sense of university life, as you stay in halls, work with undergraduate mentors, and take part in a wider pastoral and social program. Academic sessions are designed to help you think beyond GCSE-level science and maths, especially if you are considering STEM subjects after school. The final academic-style conference gives you a chance to present your work to peers, staff, and guests.

Why it stands out: Combines engineering tasters with residential university life, giving you hands-on exposure to engineering concepts, research-lab technology, undergraduate mentors, and an academic-style poster presentation.

15. BAE Systems Work Experience & Engineering Taster Weeks

Location: Various BAE Systems sites across the UK, including the Academy for Skills and Knowledge (ASK) in Samlesbury (Lancashire), Scotstoun (Glasgow), and Barrow-in-Furness
Cost: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; varies by local facility
Dates: 1 week (typically running across summer months, with some cohorts scheduled during term-time half-terms)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; applications typically close 8 weeks before each program starts, though early submission is highly recommended as slots fill quickly
Eligibility: UK students aged 14-18 in Years 10 to 13 (or S4 to S6 in Scotland); not open to international students

As one of the most industry-focused engineering internships in the UK for high school students, BAE Systems’ work experience and engineering taster weeks give you direct exposure to aerospace, defense, and security engineering. You work in teams on a project that follows the engineering process, from concept and CAD design to prototyping and testing.

Depending on your placement, you may gain experience in coding, electrical wiring, structural mechanics, or digital design. Throughout the program, apprentices and engineers mentor you and explain different engineering career paths. The placement ends with a team presentation where you share your project with BAE engineers.

Why it stands out: Gives you rare corporate access to state-of-the-art facilities like the ASK Academy, offering a hands-on project portfolio that aligns with the engineering lifecycle and the exclusive opportunity to earn a nationally recognized Silver Industrial Cadet Award.

Frequently Asked Questions: Engineering Internships in the UK for High School Students

What is an engineering internship for high school students?

An engineering internship gives high school students hands-on exposure to how engineers solve real problems, often through research placements, lab tours, or workplace simulations. Programs typically combine project work with mentorship from engineers, researchers, or apprentices. Most run from three days to two weeks, though some, like the FDM Apprenticeship Programme, extend over several years. Many conclude with a presentation, technical report, or team project showcase.

Do I need prior engineering experience to apply?

No, most programs are designed to introduce engineering concepts from the ground up. Imperial College London’s Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer School and Year 10 Insights Summer School both target younger students with no prior specialization required. Immerse Education’s Engineering Summer Internship similarly starts with mechanics, forces, and basic electronics for younger students before progressing to more advanced topics for older participants.

How much do engineering internships in the UK cost?

Costs range from free to £7,695 for Imperial College London’s Engineering Summer School. Free options include Nuffield Research Placements, which also offer a £100 weekly bursary, and several Imperial College outreach programmes restricted to UK state school students. Immerse Education’s Engineering Summer Internship offers bursary support that can reduce costs for eligible students.

Can international students attend these programs?

A smaller set of paid programs welcome international students, including InvestIN Summer Experiences, King’s College London’s Pre-University course, and Imperial College London’s Engineering Summer School. Most free, UK government supported programmes, including Nuffield Research Placements, STEM Learning Research Placements, and In2STEM, are restricted to UK students. Immerse Education’s Engineering Summer Internship is open to students worldwide aged 13 to 18.

What age do I need to be to apply?

Age requirements vary by program, generally falling between 14 and 18. Imperial College London’s Year 9 Girls Engineering Summer School targets younger students, while most free UK access programmes focus on Year 12 students aged 16 to 17. Immerse Education’s Engineering Summer Internship accepts a broader range of students aged 13 to 18 from anywhere in the world.

Will I get to build or test something during the program?

Yes, several programs include hands-on prototyping and testing. Imperial College London’s Engineering Summer School has students build and test prototypes as part of an Innovation Challenge, and BAE Systems’ taster weeks take students through the full engineering process from CAD design to testing. Immerse Education’s Engineering Summer Internship similarly includes a personal engineering project for students to design and develop with written feedback at the end.

How do these programs help with university applications?

Completing an engineering internship demonstrates genuine interest in the field and exposure to how engineers actually work, both of which admissions officers value. Programs like Nuffield Research Placements have students produce a technical report and research poster, giving them concrete material that can also support award submissions like the Gold CREST Award. Immerse Education’s Engineering Summer Internship provides a personal project and certificate of completion that students can reference directly in university applications and interviews.

From Engineering Experience To University Readiness

Before choosing an engineering degree, it helps to see the field in action. Internships can reveal how ideas move from theory to testing.

That is what makes engineering internships in the UK for high school students so valuable. They offer early insight into aerospace, robotics, sustainability, research, manufacturing, and design.

Through mentoring, lab work, technical reports, simulations, or prototype-building, each opportunity can help you build confidence and make more informed academic choices.

Planning your next step? Explore our University Preparation blogs for practical advice on applications, study skills, subject choices, and preparing for university life.