15 Work Experience Programs in England for High School Students
If you’re a high school student trying to understand what a future career actually looks like, work experience programs can give you the kind of firsthand exposure that classroom learning can’t. These opportunities allow you to build practical skills, observe professionals in real-world workplaces, and see how industries operate day-to-day. Instead of simulated activities, many of these experiences involve working alongside practitioners in real environments.
Why should you attend a work experience program in England?
England offers a strong setting for work experience because its cities are home to universities, research institutes, media companies, healthcare organizations, and global firms, all within relatively short travel distances. In these programs, you might contribute to newsroom research, assist with laboratory techniques, shadow doctors in clinical settings, or participate in structured business and finance workshops that reflect workplace tasks. Whether you’re based in the U.K. or coming from abroad, these programs let you explore career pathways in fields ranging from engineering and science to business, journalism, and the arts.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled a list of 15 work experience programs in England for high school students.
If you’re looking for programs in England, check out our blog here.
1. Medical Internship and Shadowing Program for High School Students
Location: Various clinics in London, UK
Stipend: $6,730
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 2 students/year (tentative)
Dates: 1-4 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-24 (typically Year 10-12); Must show commitment to pursuing a medical or healthcare-related career; Must be fluent in English (IELTS ≥5.5)
This Medical Internship and Shadowing Program places you in a London clinic or hospital to observe doctors in real clinical environments. You’ll follow daily routines that include patient consultations, diagnostic discussions, and interactions with the professional team. The program focuses on mentorship, enabling you to learn directly from supervising physicians about medical careers and educational routes. Over a period of 1 to 4 weeks, you gain practical insight into clinical practice rather than through simulated exercises. Participants receive a transcript and reference letter from the doctor and clinic upon completion. Accommodation, meals, and transport are arranged to support full participation during the placement.
2. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Pathway
Location: London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo
Cost: Varies according to program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18
The Career Insights Program introduces high school students to professional environments across multiple industries. As a participant, you can expect to engage in hands-on projects with established companies and connect with industry experts through interactive workshops. You'll also visit operational sites, including offices, factories, and headquarters. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work to industry professionals. You can explore career paths in subjects such as medicine, engineering, law, business, journalism, fashion, and more. The program also includes weekly 1:1 career coaching and personalized feedback. You can find more details about the application here!
3. Aspiring Scientists Training Programme (ASTP)
Location: The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: One-week program
Application deadline: Typically in March/April
Eligibility: Students aged 16+ attending state (non-fee-paying) schools, currently studying A-level/IB/Higher (or equivalent) courses in Biology, Maths, and either Chemistry, Physics, or Further Maths
The Aspiring Scientists Training Programme offers A-level biology students a week-long introduction to scientific research at the University of Cambridge. Participants spend afternoons in laboratories learning core research techniques used by professional biologists, supported by workshops led by subject experts. The work experience program in England for high school students centres on a mini research project that you develop during the week and present to peers and researchers at the end. You will also meet PhD students and scientists who can explain academic pathways and career options in the biological sciences. Time is also set aside to explore Cambridge’s colleges and research facilities, giving context to university-level study.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships places you in an eight- to twelve-week remote internship with a fast-growing startup, where you contribute to real company projects alongside a startup manager. Typically, you’ll work 10–20 hours per week on tasks such as research, data analysis, content development, or operational support, depending on the organisation’s focus. Alongside your startup role, you receive guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach who helps track progress and manage expectations. Regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and a final presentation mirror the structure of professional internships. Since many partner companies are early-stage or scaling, you gain insight into how teams adapt, prioritise tasks, and manage growth. The program concludes with formal documentation of your work and responsibilities.
5. JPMorgan & Chase Work Experience Program
Location: UK JPMorgan offices in London, Bournemouth, Glasgow, and Edinburgh
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Week-long summer placement (plus virtual and in-person sessions), exact dates vary by year/office
Application deadline: November 2
Eligibility: Students aged 14-16 (Years 10-11 in England / S3-S4 in Scotland) with an interest in finance or technology
The JPMorgan Chase Work Experience Programme blends virtual preparation with a two-day in-person placement at a UK office. Students begin with an online workshop covering CV writing, interview techniques, and workplace expectations. During the onsite experience, you meet teams across business and technology functions, take part in interactive activities, and work on a small business challenge. Office tours and networking sessions help you understand different roles within the organisation and how departments collaborate. After the in-person component, a follow-up virtual session allows you to reflect on what you learned and apply new skills.
6. KPMG Discovery Work Experience Programme
Location: Multiple UK offices: Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, and London
Stipend: Paid; Participants receive a salary equivalent to the living wage (with lunch and train travel covered up to $135/day)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 3-day sessions during the October half-term
Application deadline: Typically closes in early autumn every year
Eligibility: Students finishing Year 13 (or those who’ve already completed it) from state schools who meet Access Accountancy’s social mobility criteria
The KPMG Discovery Work Experience Programme is a three-day, in-person placement designed to introduce you to careers in professional services. In this program, you attend interactive workshops, work from a KPMG office, and meet apprentices, graduates, and senior staff who discuss their roles and career paths. Sessions focus on employability skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, in a business context. You also gain an overview of KPMG’s culture and the types of client work undertaken by the firm.
7. PwC New World New Skills Work Experience
Location: Various PwC offices across the UK
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 4 days in August
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in Year 12 (England & Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland), or S5 (Scotland); typically attending a state school and meeting one or more social mobility criteria
PwC’s New World New Skills Work Experience is a four-day paid placement for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. You’ll spend time in PwC offices engaging with teams across Audit, Consulting, Risk, and Technology through structured workshops and interactive sessions. Activities focus on practical workplace skills, including communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. You’ll have opportunities to speak with employees at different career stages, from associates to partners. Participants receive hourly pay, lunches, travel expenses, and a PwC laptop for the duration of the programme.
8. FDM Apprenticeship Programme
Location: Sheffield Hallam University/North Eastern University, London, UK
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round intake; 3-year program
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 16+ in the UK who meet degree entry requirements in digital and technology solutions
The FDM Apprenticeship Programme is a three-year paid route that combines full-time employment with structured academic study. Participants work primarily within professional teams focusing on areas such as IT support, software development, information security, robotics process automation, or Salesforce administration. 20% of your time is allocated to studying through partner universities, including Sheffield Hallam University and Northeastern University London. Early stages often involve internal projects before progressing to client-based work with major organizations. Academic modules run alongside practical tasks to support technical development. Throughout the program, you receive mentorship and ongoing professional support.
9. NHSBT Work Experience Programmes
Location: Bristol (Filton) and London (Tooting)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 5 days in June and July, varies by location
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 16 to 18 (Years 12-13) interested in scientific or laboratory careers; must be sponsored by their school
The NHS Blood and Transplant Work Experience Programme is a one-week placement for students interested in healthcare science and clinical systems. Hosted at centres in London or Bristol, the program introduces you to departments responsible for blood donation, transfusion, and transplant logistics. In this free work experience program in England for high school students, you’ll get to tour laboratories, meet scientists and donor care staff, and observe how teams coordinate essential services for the NHS. A hands-on training lab session demonstrates the scientific processes involved in blood testing and handling. Career guidance sessions outline pathways into medicine, biomedical science, and nursing.
10. British Airways Work Experience & School Programmes
Location: British Airways head office and operational sites across the UK, including London (Heathrow), Cardiff, and Glasgow
Cost/Stipend: Free
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
This fully funded work experience program in England for high school students offers short placements of three to five days across departments such as engineering, operations, customer service, and logistics. You’ll participate in department tours, a variety of activities, and Q&A sessions that explain how aviation teams coordinate daily operations. Some placements include observing small projects or workflow processes within airport or office settings. Participants are supported by staff mentors who discuss training routes and career pathways in aviation. Students are further encouraged to use the Speedbird-Z platform to access learning modules and industry events.
11. Imperial College London: Year 12 Work Experience Programme
Location: Imperial College, London, UK
Cost/Stipend: 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
This work experience program in England for high school students places you within active university research environments for five days. You’ll follow a structured schedule that includes lab visits, workshops, and department-led sessions across bioengineering, climate science, materials, mathematics, physics, chemical engineering, and biomedical research. The program introduces how researchers design experiments, manage time, and collaborate within academic teams. Sessions on UCAS applications and personal statements are delivered by student ambassadors who share their own routes into higher education. You’ll also get to participate in small research-focused tasks that mirror university-level study. The experience concludes with a mini academic conference where participants present their work.
12. Royal Observatory Greenwich Astronomy Work Experience
Location: Royal Observatory Greenwich (National Maritime Museum), London, UK
Cost: None (voluntary placement)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 1 week in the summer
Application deadline: April 4 (dates may vary by year)
Eligibility: Students in Year 10-13 (aged ~14–18) in the UK
The Royal Observatory Greenwich Astronomy Work Experience offers a one-week placement focused on astronomy education and science communication. You’ll work with the Observatory’s astronomy team on tasks such as drafting night-sky guides, preparing social media content, evaluating public sessions, or writing scripts for the Look Up! podcast. Direct conversations with astronomers offer insight into careers in astronomy, museums, and public engagement with science, while staff guides you in adapting complex scientific ideas for different audiences. Some elements of the placement may be completed remotely, depending on project needs.
13. The Times Summer Academy
Location: News UK offices, London Bridge, London, UK
Cost: $875
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots available
Dates: July 21 – 25 and August 4 – 8
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Students aged 18+
The Times Summer Academy is a one-week introduction to journalism that places you inside professional newsroom environments connected to The Times, The Sunday Times, and Times Radio. You’ll spend the week learning how news stories are sourced, written, edited, and published, with sessions covering news reporting, feature writing, journalism ethics, photography, and broadcast media. Guided by senior journalists and editorial executives, you observe how daily editorial decisions are made and how different teams collaborate under deadlines. The work experience program in England for high school students further balances practical skill development with talks from working professionals across print, radio, and digital platforms.
14. InvestIN Summer Experiences
Location: University College London (UCL) and the surrounding University of London campus, London
Cost: Program fees: $2,995 – $5,923; Residential package: $5,014 – $10,163 (depending on duration and premium options)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots per program
Dates: Varies by program; Typically, between July and August
Application deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18
InvestIN Summer Experiences are one- or two-week career exploration programmes that combine professional simulations with site visits across London. You’ll engage in practical tasks alongside professionals in fields such as medicine, engineering, law, media, architecture, or veterinary science. This work experience program in England for high school students includes workplace visits, skill-based sessions, and academic components hosted at UCL or the University of London campuses. Accommodation is provided in student halls, including meals and supervised activities. Additionally, feedback sessions are conducted to help you understand professional expectations and working practices within competitive industries. Some programs enable you to work towards a Level 3 Award in Work Experience, which can contribute to UCAS points.
15. Lite Regal Medical Internship and Shadowing
Location: London-based placements; Typically GP Surgery, Central London Clinic, or London Hospital
Cost: $2,356 – $9,423 (non-residential) or $3,028 – $12,115 (residential, with University of London accommodation; meals and transport not included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited cohort size
Dates: Available year-round (1 – 4 week durations)
Application deadline: Rolling; apply at least 8 weeks before the intended start date
Eligibility: Students aged 17+ (minimum Year 12), aspiring to study Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Psychology, or related healthcare fields. Open to UK and international students with English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 5-6 or above.
The Lite Regal Medical Internship and Shadowing Programme allows you to observe practising doctors in London hospitals or clinics over one to four weeks. In this program, you’ll shadow specialists in areas such as general medicine, cardiology, or neurology, observing consultations and diagnostic processes. Clinical skills workshops held at the University of London facilities cover topics such as anatomy and basic procedural techniques. Ongoing mentorship provides opportunities to ask questions about medical training routes and daily responsibilities, and placements are tailored to students' interests and availability. At the end of the program, participants receive certificates and letters of reference from their supervising doctors.