Immersing yourself in engineering work environments will deepen your understanding of the industry and equip you for success – both during your time at university and throughout an exceptional career.
Having relevant experience when applying to university can make your application truly stand out, especially in a highly competitive field like Engineering. Beyond enhancing your Personal Statement, it also builds your confidence by developing key practical skills and reinforcing your academic knowledge.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about engineering work experience in years 10, 12, and during studies, including how to find opportunities, the types of experience to aim for, and our top tips for making the most of every engineering placement.
Why engineering work experience matters?
Engineering work experience gives real-world context to your studies and helps you develop key skills that both universities and employers value, such as teamwork, problem solving, and cross-functional communication.It also deepens your understanding of the industry, specific roles, and workplace environments, helping you decide if a particular path is right for you. Work experience is also a great chance to ask questions, seek advice from professionals, and start building your network.
Also, it strengthens your university application. Oxbridge and other top universities consider extracurriculars and work experience when comparing applicants with similar academic profiles. Showing genuine enthusiasm for engineering through hands-on experience can make your Personal Statement stand out and give Admissions Tutors a clearer picture of your motivation and suitability.
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How To Get Engineering Experience
Whether you’re still in school or already studying engineering at university, gaining work experience in the field is all about knowing where to look and being proactive. Opportunities can range from short-term shadowing and virtual insight days to structured internships and long-term placements. The earlier you start exploring, the more confident and prepared you’ll feel when it comes to university applications or entering the graduate job market. In this section, we’ll guide you through how to find valuable work experience at every stage – from Year 10 and Year 12, right through to your time at university.
How To Get Engineering Work Experience Before University
Before university, engineering work experience is all about exploration and initiative. Whether you’re in Year 10 or Year 12, there are plenty of ways to gain insight into the field, build relevant skills, and show your enthusiasm for engineering. Here’s how to get started and make the most of the opportunities available to you.
Year 10 is an ideal time to start exploring engineering work experience opportunities, even if you’re still figuring out which branch of engineering excites you most. Many schools offer a week of compulsory work experience, and while opportunities may be broader at this stage, they can still offer valuable early exposure to technical environments.
Students might shadow engineers in local firms, visit construction sites, or gain insights into STEM-related subjects such as manufacturing, architecture, or IT. Some organisations also offer engineering-focused taster sessions or insight days. These short experiences can help spark an interest and provide early context for how engineering is applied in the real world.
In addition to in-person placements, students can benefit greatly from taking part in programmes such as the Smallpeice Trust courses, EDT’s Inspire programmes, or volunteering in their communities. Getting involved in coding clubs, robotics competitions, or even helping out with basic tech projects at school can also demonstrate initiative and curiosity – qualities valued by top universities.
While Year 10 engineering work experience may not be deeply technical, it plays an important role in building early confidence and laying the groundwork for more specialised opportunities in later years.
By Year 12, work experience in engineering becomes more targeted and impactful, particularly for those preparing Oxbridge applications. At this stage, students are expected to show a clear commitment to the subject, and practical experience can help reinforce that.
Many students pursue engineering placements through organisations like Engineering Development Trust, which offers summer schools and the Year in Industry programme. Others take part in university-led summer schools such as Oxford’s UNIQ or Cambridge’s Engineering Summer School. These experiences not only provide hands-on exposure to real engineering challenges but also offer the chance to connect with professionals, academics, and like-minded peers.
Virtual internships, research-based projects, and independent technical work can also be powerful additions to a UCAS application. For example, completing an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) on a topic such as renewable energy or aerospace technology can demonstrate initiative and academic curiosity. Some students might volunteer in engineering-related community projects or shadow a professional engineer in a field of interest.
Whether in-person or remote, these experiences help develop problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills – all of which are essential for a strong engineering application and future success in the field.
How To Get Engineering Work Experience During University
Gaining engineering work experience during university is excellent for developing practical skills, expanding your professional network, and strengthening your employability.
Some engineering degrees offer a built-in year in industry, often referred to as an engineering work placement or industrial placement. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain in-depth, hands-on experience over an extended period, typically lasting 9 to 12 months. Almost every engineering discipline – whether it’s mechanical, aerospace, civil, or software engineering – offers the chance to take a placement year, either as part of a sandwich course or as an optional extra year.
Although a year in industry will extend the length of your degree, the benefits are substantial. You’ll gain valuable technical skills, build industry connections, and graduate with a deeper understanding of how engineering principles are applied in the real world – making you far more competitive.
Shorter but equally valuable, engineering summer internships typically last between 6 to 12 weeks and are offered by companies across a wide range of sectors. These internships allow you to apply your academic knowledge to real-world challenges and gain exposure to the day-to-day life of an engineer. Summer internships are a great way to explore your interests and build transferable skills.
Additionally, many students find internship opportunities through platforms like Gradcracker, which specialises in STEM roles, or Springpod, which offers virtual work experience programmes and employer insight days.
Companies such as Arup, or BAE Systems also offer engineering work experience opportunities that can help significantly boost your CV and support your transition into a graduate role later.
Starting your search early and applying widely is key. Gaining relevant work experience not only enhances your CV and personal statement but also gives you a competitive edge in an industry where practical experience is highly valued.
Types Of Engineering Work Experience
Engineering is a broad and diverse field, and the type of work experience you pursue can vary greatly depending on your area of interest. Whether you’re drawn to designing innovative machines, developing sustainable infrastructure, or building cutting-edge software, gaining experience that’s tailored to your chosen discipline will give you a clearer understanding of the industry and boost your future prospects. Below, we explore the most common types of engineering work experience to help you find the right fit.
Mechanical engineering work experience often involves exposure to manufacturing, automotive, or product design environments. Students might shadow engineers in workshops, take part in CAD design tasks, or support testing and prototyping.
Work experience can be gained through summer internships, industrial placements, or taster days with companies like Rolls-Royce, Siemens, or Jaguar Land Rover. These experiences help you develop practical design, problem-solving, and mechanical systems knowledge – essential for future success in this broad field.
Chemical engineering work experience gives insight into sectors like pharmaceuticals, energy, food processing, and materials science. You might find opportunities in laboratory-based roles, industrial plants, or environmental agencies.
Many students secure placements with companies such as AstraZeneca, BP, or Unilever. Even short-term placements can help you understand process engineering, health and safety standards, and sustainable technologies, all of which are highly relevant to the chemical engineering profession.
Aerospace engineering work experience typically involves placements or internships with companies in aviation, defence, or space technology.
Shadowing engineers at organisations like Airbus or BAE Systems can offer exposure to aircraft design, aerodynamics, and propulsion systems. Even virtual placements or project-based roles can be valuable, helping you build relevant skills in systems engineering, simulation tools, and project management within this cutting-edge field.
Civil engineering work experience gives you the opportunity to see how large-scale infrastructure projects come together – from planning and design to construction and sustainability.
Many students gain experience through local council projects, engineering consultancies like Arup, or construction firms such as Kier Group. Whether you’re involved in site visits, surveying, or helping with structural calculations, this type of experience strengthens your understanding of real-world problem-solving and environmental impact in the built environment.
Software engineering work experience is widely available across industries, often through tech companies, startups, or in-house digital teams. Students may assist with coding tasks, app development, debugging, or UX design.
Gaining experience through platforms like Code First Girls, or internships with firms such as Google, IBM, or smaller software agencies, can enhance your understanding of programming languages, software development lifecycles, and agile working practices – skills that are in high demand.
How To Prepare For a Career in Engineering
Our Tips For Engineering Work Placement
Securing engineering work experience is just the beginning. Making the most of it is what truly sets you apart. How you approach the experience can make a significant difference. Here are our top tips to help you succeed, stay motivated, and gain the most value from every opportunity.
Be Proactive
Start planning your engineering work experience early – even before you apply to university. You don’t need to have a specific discipline in mind just yet; instead, focus on exploring different areas of engineering and developing a broad foundation of knowledge. Prioritise building transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and time management, all of which are highly valued across every engineering field.
Be Resilient
When applying for engineering work experience, it’s normal to receive more rejections or no responses than offers. Don’t let this discourage you – persistence is key. Every application is a learning opportunity, and each setback brings you one step closer to a successful placement. Stay motivated, keep refining your approach, and remember that resilience is a strength valued just as highly in engineering as technical ability.
Think Outside The Box
Smaller engineering firms may not offer formal internship programmes, but they can still be excellent sources of experience. Consider reaching out directly to ask if you can shadow an engineer for a few days, volunteer for an unpaid placement, or take on paid part-time work. These opportunities can offer valuable insight into real-world engineering practice, often in a more hands-on and varied environment.
Don’t dismiss non-engineering roles, either. Any experience that helps you build relevant transferable skills is still incredibly valuable. Whether it’s a customer-facing job or a role in IT support, these skills will strengthen your future applications and your ability to thrive in an engineering career.
As you can see, engineering work experience is a valuable stepping stone toward a successful future in the field. Whether you’re still at school or already in higher education, gaining hands-on exposure to real engineering environments can shape your understanding of the profession, strengthen your university applications, and build core skills.
For aspiring engineering students however, gaining relevant work experience is only part of the preparation. To truly stand out, you will need to excel across every stage of your application – from your Personal Statement to admissions tests and interviews.
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