15 Work Experience Programs in the United Kingdom (UK) for High School Students
If you want to explore potential career paths while you are still in high school, work experience programs can be a practical option. These programs give you early exposure to professional environments, help you build transferable skills, and shadow professionals in the field to learn about their day-to-day operations. Many of these programs also introduce you to professional expectations such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Why should you attend a work experience program in the UK?
In the UK, reputable universities and well-established organizations offer work experience programs across sectors, such as healthcare, business, law, media, and STEM. Depending on your placement, you might assist in research, contribute to business projects, observe healthcare operations, or support media production teams to understand how different industries function. They can be a good fit if you’re studying in the UK, planning to apply to UK universities, or considering gaining experience abroad in a professional setting.
To make things easier, we have this list of 15 work experience programs in the United Kingdom (UK) for high school students.
If you are looking for online internships, check out our blog here.
1. UCL GOS ICH Work Experience
Location: University College London’s Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London
Cost: Free (lunch provided daily; travel costs not covered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 placements/session
Dates: June/July and October (runs twice a year; dates vary)
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open mid-February, with placements offered by the end of April
Eligibility: Students who are 16 or older and have just completed their GCSEs or are studying for A-Levels or equivalent
This one-week program at UCL’s Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health introduces you to careers in biomedical and scientific research. You will participate in activities hosted by the institute's five teaching and research departments, including talks, interactive lab sessions with researchers and PhD students, departmental seminars, and journal clubs. The program includes hands-on activities such as examining cells under microscopes and pipetting solutions, and may include visits to clinical labs. You will learn about research topics and techniques across different departments to understand the variety of career opportunities in research science.
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 offers high school students an introduction 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 sessions and sessions where you will receive personalized feedback. You can find more details about the application here!
3. NHS Talent Academy’s Work Experience
Location: Hospitals and clinics UK-wide
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Year-round opportunities typically running for one to five days
Application deadline: Varies by opportunity
Eligibility: Students who are at least 14 years old; exact requirements vary by opportunity.
This placement-based work experience program introduces you to how healthcare roles function within a live clinical environment. You will spend time observing professionals across different disciplines, gaining exposure to both patient-facing work and behind-the-scenes systems. Learning focuses on understanding workflows, professional responsibilities, and how care teams coordinate their work. Shadowing opportunities will help you see how decisions are made in real time while maintaining professional boundaries. You also develop awareness of healthcare administration and communication practices.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships connects you with a real-world project at a startup or small company, where you will spend eight weeks or more working on deliverables. You will contribute to ongoing tasks like research, strategy work, or product-related assignments under the guidance of a supervisor and an assigned Ladder coach. The structure is fully remote and spans a defined block of hours each week, offering you experience in professional communication, time management, and self-directed work. Interaction with company teams and periodic check-ins will help you learn how work cycles and collaboration function outside of school. You will conclude the program by presenting your own project results to your host company.
5. Insight Weeks at Lloyd's
Location: Lloyd’s office in London
Cost: Free (lunch, refreshments, and reasonable travel expenses covered; accommodation not included)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 21 – 23
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open in May
Eligibility: Students in Year 12 or 13 (A-Level students) who live within a 40-mile radius of the Lloyd's building in London
This three-day program is designed to offer you an introduction to the global insurance marketplace and career opportunities at Lloyd's. You will participate in workshops covering topics like the insurance industry, broking and underwriting, risk management, and personal development. The program includes CV and interview preparation sessions where you will learn job application skills. Additionally, you will get to meet current graduates and apprentices to learn about their experiences.
6. JPMorganChase’s Work Experience Program
Location: JPMorganChase offices in London, Bournemouth, Glasgow, and Edinburgh
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by location (summer and term-time opportunities available); typically lasts two to three days
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 to 16, in Years 10 and 11 in England or S3 and S4 in Scotland
This work experience program combines virtual and in-person sessions to help you explore career paths at JPMorganChase. You will start with a virtual workshop to prepare for the program, then attend two days of in-person sessions at a JPMorganChase office, where you will participate in interactive learning and networking activities. The program focuses on building practical skills like CV writing, interview techniques, and professional networking. You will have opportunities to interact with JPMorganChase staff and learn about their work supporting customers, clients, and communities. After the in-person portion, you will complete a final virtual workshop focused on professional development.
7. NPL Academy
Location: National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex
Cost: Free (travel and meal costs not covered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 – 50 students/year
Dates: July 6 – 10
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Students in Year 10 to Year 13 enrolled in UK schools
This one-week program at the National Physical Laboratory offers you hands-on experience working at a national research facility. You will work in small teams on real projects mentored by NPL staff throughout the week, with possible areas including atomic clocks, computer programming, electronics, fibre optics, finance, microscopy, project management, and quantum science. The schedule includes an induction, team building exercises, lab demonstrations, project work, and a cohort challenge on Wednesday afternoon. On the final day, you and your team will present your work to the cohort and guests.
8. Deloitte ASPIRE Program
Location: Virtual/regional offices in London and Manchester, UK
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Virtual: July 22 – 24 | London: July 27 – 29 | Manchester: August 3 – 5
Application deadline: Not provided
Eligibility: Students in Year 12 (England or Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland), or S5 (Scotland) from underrepresented backgrounds
This work experience program in the UK uses structured case studies and workshops to help you understand how professional services teams approach real business problems. You will examine how different business areas function, with particular attention to analytical thinking and structured decision-making. Activities are designed to help you grow transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Rather than simulating day-to-day tasks, sessions will focus on how professionals frame challenges and present solutions. You will also gain insight into how career pathways are structured within large organizations.
9. British Airways Your Flying Future Workshop
Location: British Airways Head Office, Heathrow, London
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Three-hour workshops held four times a year (dates vary)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 – 18, or young adults, ages 19 – 25, depending on the specific workshop session
British Airways runs pilot-led three-hour workshops for students and young adults. You will participate in flight planning activities and hear from pilot guest speakers who share insights about their roles and daily responsibilities. The workshop covers the key skills needed to become a pilot and provides information about the recruitment process. You will also engage in discussions to gain an understanding of what a career in the flight deck involves. Registration takes place through the Speedbird-Z platform, where you can access additional aviation learning modules and connect with British Airways mentors.
10. Imperial College London Year 12 Work Experience Programme
Location: Imperial College London campuses, London, England
Cost: Free (course fees, materials, and lunch included; travel assistance available if needed)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – July 3
Application deadline: March 6; applications open on January 12.
Eligibility: Students in Year 12 at state schools in the UK; check academic requirements here.
This five-day program gives you hands-on insight into research careers at Imperial College London across seven streams, including Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics, Materials, and Climate Change research. You will work within your chosen department, accessing research laboratories, workshops, and specialist technical facilities while experiencing typical working life, including daily commutes and meeting deadlines. The program includes campus tours, talks from staff, and guidance on university applications covering topics like personal statements and interview skills. At the end, you will deliver a presentation with your assigned group, sharing your experiences with peers and guests on the final day. A student ambassador will support you throughout the week, and you will have opportunities to network with other participants.
11. EY Business Academy
Location: Various EY offices in the UK
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 27 – 31
Application deadline: March 5
Eligibility: Students in year 12 (England/Wales) or S5 (Scotland) with a minimum of Level 2/GCSE (or equivalent) in English Language and mathematics
At the EY Business Academy, you will spend a week working alongside professionals and apprentices to understand how business teams function in practice. This work experience program for high school students blends participation in day-to-day work with structured sessions focused on core business skills. Rather than simulating tasks, you will observe and support live projects, gaining insight into professional standards and team dynamics. Conversations with current apprentices will provide a peer-level view of training routes and workplace learning. Reflection is built into the experience, helping you assess how academic learning connects to professional environments.
12. KPMG Discovery Work Experience
Location: KPMG offices in the UK
Stipend: Paid equivalent to the living wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Three-day sessions in October (tentative)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in Year 12 (England/Wales), S5 (Scotland), or Year 13 (NI), who meet the academic requirements
This paid program offers an introduction to the professional services sector through a series of in-person workshops and team-based activities. You will engage in sessions designed to explain how different parts of a large firm collaborate and deliver work. Interactive exercises will help you build skills such as communication, organization, and professional conduct. Direct interaction with employees at different career stages will help you understand how roles evolve. The experience is compact, so activities are structured to maximize exposure within a limited schedule.
13. BBC 'Get In' Taster Experiences
Location: BBC offices in the UK
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round opportunities; dates TBA
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 – 18
The BBC runs short experiences called Get In Tasters that are designed to show you how different roles within a large media organization connect and operate. You will explore professional environments such as studios and production spaces while learning how teams collaborate behind broadcasts and digital content. Sessions will introduce a range of career paths, from technical and creative roles to operational and support functions. Hands-on activities will focus on workplace processes, while discussions will offer insights into entry routes and application expectations in the media industry.
14. BAE Systems Work Experience
Location: BAE Systems, Brough
Cost: Not specified; typically, free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: April 13 – 17
Application deadline: About eight weeks before the program (early February); applications may close earlier if full.
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 – 16, in Years 10 and 11
This one-week program at BAE Systems' Brough site is designed to give you an overview of the company and its Air Sector through sessions hosted by various engineering teams. You will participate in tasks and learn from presentations and demonstrations focused on daily work and the equipment the staff uses. Throughout the week, you will work on a project to apply what you learn and present your insights to peers and BAE Systems engineers at the end of the program. You will have opportunities to network with BAE Systems staff, apprentices, and graduates. The Early Careers team will also discuss the opportunities available to you at BAE Systems.
15. PwC Virtual Insight Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Three days in July
Application deadline: Typically, late February/March
Eligibility: Students in Years 11 and 12 (England/Wales), S4/S5 (Scotland), or Year 12/13 (NI); the program is also open to international students currently studying in the UK.
This virtual work experience program introduces you to how a large professional services firm operates across different teams and disciplines. Sessions are interactive, combining presentations with opportunities to hear directly from employees working in varied roles. You will explore the kind of work involved in areas such as consulting, technology, and assurance, alongside discussions of emerging tools and systems used in the industry. Skills workshops will focus on professional communication, workplace expectations, and early career decision-making. The format prioritizes broad exposure rather than in-depth task-based work.
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Image source - KPMG Logo