Prospects.ac.uk

Year 12 work experience 2026

AuthorDaniel Higginbotham, senior editor
Posted on

You don't need to wait until you leave sixth form or college to gain an insight into the world of work - A-level students can now join Year 12 work experience schemes run by many of the UK's biggest employers

What is Year 12 work experience?

Similar to the work experience opportunities available for university students and graduates, but generally shorter, these Year 12 and 13 programmes can help you to decide whether a career is right for you or provide that much-needed work experience to add to your CV.

This form of work experience, aimed at those aged 16 to 18 and studying their A-levels (or equivalent) at a school sixth form or further education (FE) college, typically involves:

  • doing a one or two-week work placement and completing several tasks
  • spending a period of time in one or more workplaces to see the jobs on offer
  • job shadowing someone to see what they do in their role and whether it appeals to you.

If you're not sure what you'd like to do after your A-levels, explore how to choose a career.

What are the benefits of gaining experience while at school?

By completing work experience in Year 12 or 13, you can:

What subjects can I do work experience in?

Work placements are available across a range of industries, but they are most popular in the following areas:

  • accountancy
  • banking
  • engineering
  • finance
  • healthcare
  • law
  • psychology
  • science
  • technology.

Which employers offer Year 12 work experience?

Many leading recruiters that run graduate schemes also offer early careers programmes for school leavers and above. This includes everything from degree apprenticeships to work experience for those still studying their A-levels.

Organisations advertising work experience in 2026 include:

  • BAE Systems - if you're aged 16 to 18 and looking to become an engineer, this major aerospace and security solutions company runs Engineering Taster Weeks in July. You'll work on real projects and learn more about their work from experts in their field.
  • Deloitte - the financial services firm operates a range of early careers schemes, including the ASPIRE programme. It involves spending three days over the summer (July/August) exploring finance careers in audit and assurance or tax. Whether you attend in person (in London or Manchester) or virtually, you'll participate in immersive case studies, develop life skills, and benefit from employability sessions.
  • EY Foundation - held across major cities, including Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester, the Smart Futures programme provides Year 12 (or S5 in Scotland) students with the opportunity to gain up to two weeks of paid work experience. This includes interactive employability skills training and mentoring.
  • HSBC - the HSBC UK Work Experience programme is available to students in Years 10 to 12 (S4 to S6 in Scotland) across the UK. This unpaid programme is delivered over five days, with three held virtually and the other two in the office. Participants can choose a week in June, July, or August and work in one of several business functions.
  • KPMG - aimed at Year 12 students considering an apprenticeship after completing their A-levels, Discovery Work Experience is an opportunity to gain professional experience, develop new skills and grow your network. This three-day paid programme takes place in a KPMG office during the August before you start Year 13. It can give you an advantage if you plan to apply for an apprenticeship with the company.
  • Met Office - a three-day In-Person Work Experience placement is open to those in Years 10 to 13 who've already completed the national weather and climate service's online Forecasting Your Future programme via Springpod. You can work in a variety of areas, including communications, engineering, forecasting, and technology.
  • National Health Service (NHS) - search for local healthcare work experience via the NHS Health Careers site. For non-clinical roles, the NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) offers Year 12 work experience placements across a range of areas, including digital, data and technology, human resources (HR), finance, and project management. They take place over five days in July, and applications are open until May. Discover more about these opportunities at NHSBSA Careers.
  • Pinsent Masons - for those looking to enter the legal profession, a number of commercial law firms offer work experience to those studying for their A-levels. Pinsent Masons' Summer Work Experience programme is a five-day work placement for students aged 16 to 19. Even if you have no previous law work experience, you'll get an insight into this competitive profession and have plenty of achievements to add to your CV.
  • PwC - the audit and assurance, consulting and tax services firm provides a number of opportunities to students at school or college. These include a four-day New World, New Skills Work Experience programme held during the summer and aimed at students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Savills UK - to gain an insight into the real estate sector, the employer runs an Apprenticeship Insight programme for final-year A-level students and those who've just finished their course. These one-week placements will be held in June and August.
  • Slaughter and May - the law firm offers a two-year Talent Development programme for students in Year 12 and 13. Run in partnership with diversity specialists Rare, the programme is open each year to 20 students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds looking to become solicitors. If you're interested in a law career, you can also explore vacation schemes.

How about other organisations?

A number of charities and professional bodies also support project work for students still in school.

For example, the Nuffield Foundation supports the Research Placements & Experience programme, which facilitates hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) projects with a host organisation.

This takes the form of either a two-week placement, where you'll produce a scientific or technical report or poster, or a five-day exploration with an industry expert, which involves creating a workbook and reflective report in a specific STEM sector.

Placements have previously been held with:

  • the Natural History Museum
  • The University of Manchester
  • University College London (UCL).

Another option is In2STEM, a free work placement programme for 16- to 19-year-olds in Year 12 from low-socioeconomic backgrounds who are interested in STEM. Running from July to August, it combines online and in-person activities, with the latter held within a commutable distance of the student.

These STEM placement experiences are eligible for the CREST Award, overseen by the British Science Association (BSA). The Gold Awards are projects for those aged 16 and over who are willing to commit to at least 70 hours of work on a STEM project.

By honing your investigative skills and adopting scientific methodology to carry out your research, you will receive a certificate and be able to use the experience to enhance your personal statement when applying for university or an apprenticeship.

What about summer schools?

Some higher education institutions (HEIs) run pre-university summer schools, often in partnership with employers. These summer schools are typically residential and held on campus over three or four days or up to a full week.

Summer schools are usually held between June and August, so this shouldn't impact your studies.

For instance, you could live in halls of residence for the duration of the summer programme to get a taste of university life - see what you need to know about student accommodation.

Examples of universities that run summer schools include:

You can get an insight into a range of degree subjects, including:

  • art
  • business
  • design
  • engineering
  • healthcare
  • humanities and social sciences
  • international relations
  • law
  • psychiatry
  • science
  • sport
  • technology.

For those interested in pursuing a career in academia after completing their degree, Imperial College London runs a Year 12 Work Experience Programme for state school students in the UK. During these five days, you'll gain an insight into the research being carried out within your chosen department and discover what it's like working as an academic researcher.

In addition to the work experience offered by universities, organisations such as The Sutton Trust also advertise their own schemes. The UK Summer Schools programme is operated in partnership with a number of institutions, including:

  • University of Bristol
  • Cardiff University
  • UCL
  • University of Nottingham.

This week-long opportunity is available nationwide. You'll explore a subject of your choice alongside like-minded individuals.

You'll get to benefit from:

  • academic taster sessions
  • skills workshops
  • expert guidance on applying for university
  • getting involved with social activities.

Is virtual work experience available?

You'll find that virtual work experience is offered either instead of or alongside these in-person opportunities, and many employers use a combination of approaches to deliver their insight and taster programmes.

To explore the range of virtual programmes or job simulations, visit dedicated providers such as Springpod or Forage respectively.

Another option is Barclays LifeSkills, a platform where you can learn which skills would be most in demand in the modern workplace while working on a real-world project.

The PwC Virtual Insight Programme allows students to gain valuable skills while exploring their career interests. Whether you plan to go to university or do an apprenticeship, you can explore these pathways and where they could lead with this employer.

Held over three days, the interactive online sessions offer insight into various business areas, including:

  • audit
  • consulting
  • tax
  • technology.

You'll also participate in skills sessions where you can build your personal and professional skills for when you're ready to apply for jobs and enter the workplace.

Finally, if you're interested in exploring property management and real estate, Savills runs an Apprenticeship Virtual Insight Programme for A-level students. Held over four days in May, students will get to:

  • participate in interactive activities that give you an idea of what it's like to be an apprentice
  • explore different career pathways and receive advice on entering the real estate sector
  • attend live webinars and learn directly from industry experts while getting tips on making job applications.

To be accepted onto the programme, which takes place via its online learning platform, you'll need to pass an assessment. This includes an application form and a screening telephone interview.

Am I eligible to apply?

While these programmes are generally open to A-level students across the UK, each organisation will have its own eligibility requirements.

For instance, Deloitte's ASPIRE programme is designed for those studying at a state school or college in:

  • Year 12 - England and Wales
  • Year 13 - Northern Ireland
  • S5 - Scotland.

In addition to other criteria, applicants are also expected to have been predicted a minimum of 104 UCAS Tariff points from their top three A-levels (or equivalent). See how to apply for university for the grades you'll need to be on course for.

PwC's Virtual Insight Programme looks for students on course for 96 UCAS points across their top three A-levels (not including general studies or the extended project qualification).

The Sutton Trust's UK Summer Schools scheme is for students who attend a non-fee-paying public school and meet some of the following criteria:

  • the first generation in their family to go to university
  • have gained at least five GCSEs at grades 9-6, including maths and English, with two at grades 9-7
  • received free school meals while attending secondary school
  • live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression to higher education
  • have been looked after or in care.

Where can I find and apply for these opportunities?

Your school or college will typically arrange work experience in partnership with industry. For instance, placements are often available with your local authority in public services sector roles such as:

  • the arts
  • communications
  • planning
  • and environmental health.

Speak to your school or college's careers team to explore the latest opportunities.

You can also search for both virtual and in-person work experience opportunities via Futures For All.

Alternatively, consider arranging your own placement by applying directly to companies of interest. Bear in mind that you'll need to work around your study commitments, and be sure to keep your teachers informed of your plans.

For ideas of companies that may have their own work experience programmes, browse our employer profiles.

You can contact the employer through its website by applying for a specific scheme.

Alternatively, you can make a speculative application by sending your CV and cover letter to a named individual, explaining why you'd like to spend time working at their company and what you hope to gain from the experience. Read more about how to ask employers for work experience.

To apply for summer school schemes, you can apply online through individual university websites, including those listed above.

When should I apply?

Application windows for these Year 12 and 13 programmes will vary according to the employer. Despite this, you'll find that, as most are summer placements (held between June and August), you can typically expect to apply from the autumn of the year before.

It's advisable to start researching your options before starting your A-levels, but even if the academic year has started, you should still have time to secure your place on a suitable programme.

For instance, applications for Deloitte's ASPIRE programme in July and August won't be accepted until March, so even if you miss some of the earlier autumn/winter deadlines, there should still be options available.

Many applications for pre-university summer schools open in January of the year you plan to join, so it's recommended that you look into this as early as possible.

Will I be paid for the work placement?

Most work experience schemes available to Year 12 and Year 13 students are unpaid, but there are exceptions:

  • KPMG's Discovery Work Experience is a paid in-person programme for Year 13 students where you'll be paid a salary equivalent to the National Living Wage (NLW), currently £12.21 per hour for those aged 21 and over (from April 2025). In addition, the firm will cover your travel expenses (up to £100 per day) and provide lunch.
  • Pinsent Masons also pays the students participating in their law work experience programme. The employer states that the salary is above the NMW rate, which is £7.55 per hour for 16 and 17-year-old students and £10 per hour for those aged 18 to 20.
  • PwC offers an hourly rate of £12.67 to those on its New World, New Skills Work Experience programme. The company will also cover your lunches and all reasonable travel costs.
  • Slaughter and May offers students attending the in-person elements of its programme the London Living Wage, which stands at £14.80 per hour (as announced in October 2025). This is in addition to travel expenses (for students living outside the capital), a £130 clothing allowance to purchase smart workwear, and the provision of snacks and refreshments, as well as meals for those attending full days.

To work out how much you could earn, see GOV.UK - NMW and NLW rates.

It's unlikely that you'll be paid to attend a summer school, but many opportunities are free. For instance, The Sutton Trust's scheme covers all costs for the week, including your:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • travel.

The University of Brighton's on-campus residential summer schools are free and include accommodation, food, and the costs associated with any trips you'll be involved with.

Find out more