Engineering work experience

While it's possible to enter the industry with just basic technical knowledge, having some relevant engineering work experience can set you apart from the competition when applying for the most sought-after jobs

What are engineering internships?

While some degrees in engineering and technology already have a sandwich year or year in industry incorporated into the curriculum, not all do so. Therefore, you may need to seek your own work experience.

Large organisations typically offer paid internships and industrial work placements to second and third-year university engineering students.

Internships are traditionally held during the summer break and last a week to three months. On the other hand, industrial placements involve a year out from university and typically start in the autumn.

If you're studying A-levels at sixth form or college, you can consider Year 12 work experience. Many engineering firms offer one to two-week internship programmes for school leavers.

What are the benefits of engineering work experience?

According to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), work experience can make you more employable by:

• developing your soft skills - including commercial awareness, communication and teamwork
• making you stand out from the competition - with such a crowded job market, it reflects well that you've taken your career seriously
• having an insight into working life - as you'll have an idea of what's expected of an engineer, this makes applying for jobs and attending interviews easier
• exploring what you want to do - even if your experience reveals that this branch of engineering isn't for you, this will allow you to make informed career decisions.
• providing contacts and networking - having professionals who can give you a good reference may prove invaluable later in your career.

Finally, the IET reveals that these skills you'll have gained will set you on the road towards professional registration. Discover how to record your achievements at IET - Career Manager.

You can also read more about the advantages of continuing professional development (CPD).

Which companies offer engineering internships and placements?

• Airbus - provides 12-month industry placements in areas such as engineering, materials and processes and manufacturing engineering for defence and space or commercial aircraft.
• Arup - summer internships and industrial placements from a few weeks to up to 12 months in areas such as structural and civil engineering.
• BAE Systems - runs 12-week summer internship programmes in aerospace, electrical, mechanical and software engineering. You'll also find 12-month industrial placements in mechanical engineering, software engineering and naval architecture.
• Boeing - 12-week and 12-month internships are available with the aerospace and defence organisation in electrical, flight, industrial, mechanical, structural, and systems engineering.
• BP - summer internships in areas including subsurface (petroleum and reservoir engineering) and applied science (electrical engineering).
• EDF Energy - apply for a 12-month industry placement in mechanical engineering, research and development or nuclear safety and quality.
• GSK - a year-long engineering industrial placement in automation, chemical, electrical or mechanical engineering.
• Rolls-Royce - you can choose between a 10-week summer internship or a 12-month internship in engineering and technology (held in Derby and Bristol).
• Tesco - a 10-week technology software engineering summer internship based in Hertfordshire and London.
• Transport for London (TfL) - a 12-week engineering and technology summer internship focused on electrical, systems or technology engineering.

Where can I find work experience opportunities?

These are usually advertised on job sites and the employer's website.

Small businesses may also run internships, but sending a speculative application can be helpful, as they may not always be as easy to find.

Get more advice on how to ask employers for work experience.

What other work experience opportunities are available?

Virtual work experience

It's possible to gain engineering experience simply by using your laptop and a Wi-Fi connection.

Leading employer Siemens offers a two-week immersive learning experience delivered through Springpod for those aged 13 and over. It combines live webinars, videos, and interactive activities to offer insight into engineering, technology, and sustainability careers.

The industry's professional bodies also provide introductions to their specific engineering disciplines.

For instance, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) runs a virtual work experience programme for 14 to 16-year-olds at school or college with an interest in mechanical engineering. Available through the Unifrog careers platform and taking place in June, it covers a range of areas, such as:

• artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and automation
• becoming an engineer and routes into the profession.
• healthcare, biomedical and sports engineering
• sustainability
• the future of energy and space-based solar power
• the future of transport and automotive engineering

On the other hand, the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) allows those aged 14 to 18 to explore what it's like to be a chemical engineer working in:

• energy
• food and drink
• healthcare
• water.

The bite-sized interactive modules include:

• details on career routes
• employability skills
• discovering where chemical and process engineers work
• tasks and quizzes
• a downloadable certificate as a record of your achievement.

Read more about virtual work experience.

Insight experiences

In addition to its standard programmes, BAE Systems also offers two specialist insight experience opportunities.

These include a half-day insight event into model-based systems engineering (MBSE) plus a two-day women in engineering experience.

With the former, you'll become familiar with the stages of the product lifecycle and discover what it's like to work in various teams, such as systems architecture or testing and integration.

At the women in engineering event, you can:

• listen to inspiring talks from influential female colleagues
• attend personal and professional development sessions
• discuss career pathways for female engineering students.

Read more about opportunities for women in engineering.

Academic research

The Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) runs a Research Internships Scheme, which is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

For four to 12 weeks, students from underrepresented groups attending eligible universities - including the University of Exeter and the University of York - will work on some of society's most challenging problems. Past projects include exploring the use of drones for emergency response and conducting medical engineering research into artificial limbs.

Am I eligible for work experience?

School leavers

A-level students aged 16 to 18 in Year 12 or 13 at sixth form or college can apply for work experience. However, you may require predicted grades totalling a certain amount of UCAS Tariff points to be accepted onto a programme.

For example, PwC expects students to achieve 96 UCAS points across their top three A-levels, which works out at CCC.

Discover how much your predicted grades would be worth at how to apply for university.

University students

Most graduate recruiters require students to be on track to achieve a specific grade in a related subject for their highly-subscribed engineering internship programmes.

For example, BAE Systems expects its summer internship candidates to be aiming towards a 2:2 degree in an engineering discipline. They also point out that the internship needs to be completed while you're still at university. Otherwise, you'll have to consider a graduate scheme.

Tesco is also looking for a 2:2 to gain entry into its technology software engineering graduate programme. While it doesn't have to be in computer science, you need to be able to write coding for such a specialist programme.

EDF Energy seeks students with a predicted 2:1 undergraduate degree in a STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subject or a business-related degree for its year-long work placement scheme.

To secure an internship with Rolls-Royce, you'll need to be predicted a 2:1 in a STEM subject.

What engineering skills will I need?

GSK requires students with the following skills and attributes:

• strong team player
• excellent time management and organisation
• highly analytical with good attention to detail
• drive and always looking to improve
• proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel
• qualities aligned with the company's values and expectations.

What do internships involve?

Most engineering summer internships provide an overview of what it's like to work for a leading engineering or technology firm. You'll gain practical experience through on-the-job training related to the nature of the role and the branch of engineering. For example, it could be centred around aerospace or mechanical engineering.

With BAE Systems' software engineering internship, you'll spend 12 weeks getting involved in several areas to fully understand the software function of the business. You'll get a taste of creating cutting-edge software and will work closely with systems and electronic engineers to develop complex real-world systems.

On the other hand, those on the company's structural engineer programme will become familiar with the entire submarine life cycle, which includes activities with the operational fleet. Tasks may include designing, developing and testing various submarine products, components and systems.

By securing a place on Rolls-Royce's engineering summer internship, you'll be assigned to its operations in:

• central engineering
• central manufacturing operations
• civil aerospace
• defence.

You could get to work on the innovation, architecture or design of products and systems, such as exploring sustainable flight.

During GSK's electrical engineering internship, you'll get to lead electrical projects, from design to implementation.

When can I apply for work experience?

This will depend on the duration of the programme and the individual company. Generally speaking, you'll apply in the autumn of the year before you plan to do the work experience.

For instance, second-year students can apply for the GSK industrial placement between September and December for a June to September start the following year.

At Boeing, the application period is from October to December for a June or July start date. This applies to both its 12-week and 12-month options.

How do I apply for work experience?

The application process will also vary between employers, but you'll typically apply by completing an online form via the employer's website. Read our advice on how to write a successful application.

To apply for one of Arup's programmes, you'll need to progress through the following stages:

• online application form
• application review
• psychometric and ability assessments
• shortlisting
• competency-based online assessment centre.

If you don't have any direct work experience to talk about in your application, you can always include any volunteering or extra-curricular activities you've been part of at university. For example, are you on an engineering society's leadership committee, or have you conducted any exceptional research projects in the field?

These are all valuable experiences for adding to your CV and cover letter.

Get more advice on applying for jobs and read our interview tips.

How much can I earn on an engineering apprenticeship?

As an intern, you can expect to receive at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for your age group.

This currently (from April 2024) works out at £8.60 for 18 to 20-year-olds and the National Living Wage (NLW) of £11.44 for those aged 21 or over.

For more information, see GOV.UK - NMW rates.

Be aware that many employers will pay more than this. Here's a selection of some of the (pro rata) salaries on offer from leading firms in 2025:

• Airbus - £21,900.
• BAE Systems - £23,100.
• BP - £33,000 to £43,000, depending on the programme.
• Rolls-Royce - £22,500, plus a £500 relocation payment.
• Tesco - £26,000.
• TfL - £25,294.

Most engineering interns get paid between £22,000 and £26,000 per year (pro rata), although salaries can go as high as £43,000.

How will the experience affect my job prospects?

Many companies offer permanent jobs to graduates who've performed well in their internship or placement programmes, so completing one can pay off.

Find out more

• Explore engineering graduate schemes.
• Consider an engineering apprenticeship.
• Get an overview of the UK's engineering industry.