The idea
Most engineering employers recruit students through a few standard schemes. Knowing which ones are open to you this year matters, because the shorter ones are aimed at first-years, and many close months before they start.
| Type | Length | Usually for | When you apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insight day / open day | 1 day | Any year | Through the year, often autumn and spring |
| Spring week | 1–5 days, around Easter | First-years (some second-years) | Autumn to early winter of first year |
| Summer internship | 8–12 weeks, paid | Mostly penultimate-year students, some earlier | Autumn to winter before the summer |
| Placement year (year in industry) | 9–15 months, paid | Second-years, taken between years 2 and 3 | Autumn to winter of second year |
| Graduate scheme | 1–3 years | Final-years and graduates | Autumn of final year |
| Degree apprenticeship | 3–5 years, paid, degree included | Usually school leavers; some graduate-level schemes | Varies; many in autumn and spring |
Dates differ by company, and many applications are rolling: they close early once enough people have applied. Apply as soon as something opens.
Spring weeks and insight days
Short programmes to show you what a company does. They’re designed for people with no experience, so first year is exactly the right time. Some lead to a fast-track or guaranteed interview for an internship or placement the next year.
Summer internships
Real project work over the summer. Engineering firms mostly target students a year or two from graduating, but smaller companies, start-ups and research labs often take first-years. University research internships (working with a lecturer over the summer) are another route.
Placement year
This degree offers an optional year in industry. You’d usually apply in the autumn of Year 2 and go between Years 2 and 3. A placement is often the strongest thing on a graduate CV, and many lead to a graduate job offer.
Degree apprenticeships
You work for an employer and study for a degree part-time, with fees paid by the employer and a salary. They’re mostly entered straight from school, so for current undergraduates they’re more relevant as:
- something to know about if you’re thinking of changing route (talk to the university first: you’d usually start again from Year 1)
- graduate-level and master’s apprenticeships that some employers offer after a degree.
Search the government’s Find an apprenticeship service and company careers pages.
Check yourself
1. You're a first-year in October. What should you be applying for right now?
Spring weeks and insight days, plus any first-year internships or summer research projects you can find.