You don't need to wait until you leave sixth form or college to experience the world of work. Discover how to find Year 12 placements, when to apply, and which employers offer opportunities for A-level students
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 decide whether a career is right for you or provide that much-needed experience to add to your CV.
Aimed at those aged 16 to 18 and studying their A-levels (or equivalent) at a school sixth form or further education (FE) college, these work placements typically last between a few days and two weeks.
What are the benefits of Year 12 work experience?
By completing work experience in Year 12 or 13, you can:
- develop the skills that employers value
- explore a career or profession that interests you
- find out about future internships or apprenticeships
- gain experience that could help you stand out in applications
- make useful industry contacts
- strengthen your CV
- use your experience as evidence of your interest, skills and suitability in your university personal statement.
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:
Where can I find Year 12 work experience?
- Your school or college careers team - they may have partnerships with local employers or your local authority.
- Employer websites - check the early careers or school-leaver sections of organisations that interest you.
- Local employers - contact organisations directly to ask whether they would consider offering you a placement. Discover how to ask employers for work experience.
- Your personal network - ask family, friends and teachers whether they know of suitable companies to approach.
You can also search for virtual and in-person opportunities through Futures For All.
Browse our employer profiles for companies that may run their own programmes.
It's also worth exploring large recruiters that run graduate schemes, as many offer early careers programmes for school and college students. These can range from work experience and insight days to degree apprenticeships for when you've completed your A-levels.
What if I can't find work experience?
If you can't secure a formal placement, consider:
- approaching smaller local employers
- arranging a day of job shadowing
- completing virtual work experience
- exploring university or charity programmes
- volunteering.
These alternatives can still help you explore a career, develop useful skills and strengthen future applications.
Which employers are offering Year 12 work experience in 2027?
Business, finance and professional services
- Deloitte - its three-day ASPIRE programme, which can be attended in person (in London or Manchester) or virtually, gives Year 12 students the opportunity to explore careers in audit and assurance or tax.
- 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.
- JPMorganChase - the bank runs an Aspiring Professionals Work Experience Programme, a two-week placement in financial services or technology at its London or Glasgow offices in partnership with the Social Mobility Foundation.
- KPMG - its three-day paid Discovery Work Experience programme is for Year 13 students considering a KPMG apprenticeship the following autumn. Held in selected KPMG offices, it provides an insight into professional services and may help you progress through the apprenticeship recruitment process.
- PwC - the audit and assurance, consulting and tax services firm provides opportunities to students at school or college in selected UK offices. These include a four-day New World, New Skills Work Experience programme held during the summer and aimed at students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
You can find further financial services placements for Year 12 and 13 students through The Recruit, including opportunities with:
- Aon
- Grant Thornton
- Man Group
- Rothschild & Co
- RSM.
Discover the full range of finance and business jobs.
Engineering, science and technology
- BAE Systems - if you're aged 16 to 18 and looking to become an engineer, this major aerospace and security company runs Engineering Taster Weeks in July. You'll work on real projects and learn about engineering careers from industry professionals.
- Imperial College London - its five-day Year 12 Work Experience Programme gives UK state school students an insight into research within their chosen department and the role of an academic researcher.
- Met Office - its three-day In-Person Work Experience placement is open to students in Years 10 to 13 who have completed its online Forecasting Your Future programme through Springpod. Placements cover areas including communications, engineering, forecasting, and technology.
- Rolls-Royce - its four-day Discover: Behind-the-Scenes programme gives students an insight into the engineering company's work, people and career opportunities. In-person placements are offered at selected UK locations, and it also runs a Discover: On Demand programme, which can be completed virtually.
- Siemens Mobility - the week-long work experience programme introduces students in Years 10 to 13 to careers in rail engineering and transport technology.
Consider careers in:
Healthcare
A placement in healthcare can introduce you to both clinical and non-clinical roles.
Search for opportunities with local NHS organisations through NHS Health Careers.
For instance, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) offers five-day placements for Year 12 students in the North East of England.
You can get experience in a variety of non-clinical areas, including:
- commercial services
- digital, data and technology
- finance
- project management.
Find out more about healthcare jobs.
Law
- Addleshaw Goddard - its Legal Explorer Programme is aimed at Year 12 students in England and fifth-year students in Scotland and Ireland from less privileged backgrounds.
- Pinsent Masons - this 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 gain an understanding of the profession and experience you can add to your CV.
- Slaughter and May - the law firm offers a two-year Lead in to Law 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.
- Travers Smith - its four-day Thrive Programme in London is aimed at Year 12 students from socially mobile backgrounds and is also delivered in partnership with Rare.
Explore the different routes into the profession and discover where a law career could take you. You can also get the lowdown on becoming a solicitor.
Property and construction
If you're looking to work in construction, Morgan Sindall Construction runs a five-day work experience programme that introduces students to careers across the sector. Available from its Cambridge, Ipswich, Norwich and Chelmsford offices, the programme involves designing, planning, costing and managing a project with support from industry professionals.
To find out more about the real estate sector, Savills UK runs a one-week Apprenticeship Insight programme for final-year A-level students and those who've recently completed their course.
Read about property and construction jobs.
What will I do during my placement?
What you do on Year 12 work experience will depend on the employer and the type of placement. You could:
- attend meetings and workshops
- complete individual or group tasks and projects
- spend time in different departments to learn about the roles available
- job shadow employees to understand more about their roles
- speak to professionals about their careers and routes into the industry.
For example, you might:
- receive one-to-one mentoring and practise networking with professionals and other students through the EY Foundation's Smart Futures programme
- respond to a business brief by analysing a fictional client's problem and presenting your recommendations, as on Deloitte's ASPIRE programme
- tackle an industry-based challenge and produce a solution with other students during Siemens Mobility's placement.
Is virtual work experience available?
Yes. Some employers offer online placements instead of, or alongside, in-person schemes.
You can also find virtual programmes and job simulations through platforms such as Springpod and Forage.
Another option is Barclays LifeSkills, which allows you to build workplace skills by completing a real-world project.
The three-day PwC Virtual Insight Programme introduces students to a number of business areas, including:
- audit
- consulting
- tax
- technology.
You'll also participate in sessions designed to prepare you to apply for jobs and enter the workplace.
Finally, if you're considering property management or real estate, Savills runs a four-day Apprenticeship Virtual Insight Programme for A-level students. Taking place in May, it combines:
- advice on career pathways and applications
- interactive activities
- live webinars.
You'll need to complete an application form and telephone interview to secure a place.
Get the lowdown on virtual work experience.
How do I apply for Year 12 work experience?
For an advertised scheme, follow the application instructions on the employer's website. You can also approach an organisation that isn't currently offering placements by sending your CV and cover letter to a relevant contact, such as:
- department lead
- hiring manager
- HR representative.
You can often find their contact details on the organisation's website or LinkedIn profile.
When contacting them, be sure to explain:
- why you'd like to spend time working at their company
- what you hope to gain from the experience.
Read more about making a speculative application.
Year 12 work experience application checklist
Before you apply, ensure that you:
- check whether travel, lunch or accommodation costs are covered
- confirm whether the placement is in person, virtual or hybrid
- ensure you meet the age, year group and location requirements
- find out whether you'll need to attend an interview or complete an assessment
- get permission from your school or college
- note when applications open and close
- read the application instructions carefully - do you need to include a CV, cover letter, short application form or a teacher reference?
When should I apply for Year 12 work experience?
Application windows for Year 12 and 13 schemes vary by employer. Most placements take place between June and August, so you may need to apply from the autumn of the previous year.
However, later opportunities are available. Applications for Deloitte's ASPIRE programme, held in July and August, don't open until March. By contrast, Travers Smith runs its scheme in February and holds interviews in November.
Start researching your options before beginning your A-levels, where possible, but don't assume you've missed out once the academic year is underway.
Who can apply for Year 12 work experience?
Eligibility varies between programmes, so check the employer's requirements before applying. Criteria may relate to your:
- age or school year
- family or financial circumstances
- location
- predicted or achieved grades
- school or college.
Year-group terminology also differs across the UK. For example, programmes aimed at Year 12 students in England and Wales may accept those in Year 13 in Northern Ireland or S5 in Scotland.
Some schemes are designed to widen access to particular industries or higher education. For example, the Sutton Trust UK Summer Schools programme considers applicants' school type, academic results and personal circumstances, such as:
- eligibility for free school meals
- experience of care
- being the first in their family to attend university
You don't need to meet all the criteria, so check the full eligibility requirements before applying.
Will I be paid for Year 12 work experience?
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 £12.71 per hour for those aged 21 and over (April 2026). In addition, the firm will cover your travel expenses (up to £100 per day) and provide lunch.
- Pinsent Masons pays the students participating in their law work experience programme. The employer states that the salary is above the NMW rate, which is £8 per hour for 16 and 17-year-old students and £10.85 per hour for those aged 18 to 20.
- PwC offers an hourly rate in line with the NLW 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 pays students attending the in-person elements of its programme the London Living Wage, which stands at £14.80 per hour, according to the Living Wage Foundation. This is in addition to travel expenses (for students living outside the capital), a £130 clothing allowance for smart workwear, and snacks and refreshments, as well as meals for those attending full days.
- Travers Smith - participants receive £350 for completing the Thrive Programme.
To work out how much you could earn, see GOV.UK - NMW and NLW rates.
Can I do Year 12 work experience with a charity or a professional organisation?
Yes. Charities and professional organisations may offer school students project-based learning, research placements and work experience.
The Nuffield Foundation supports the Research Placements and Experiences programme, which gives students the chance to complete a hands-on STEM project with a host organisation.
The programme offers two types of placements:
- Experience - spend five days with industry experts, complete a workbook and produce a reflective report about a particular STEM sector.
- Research - lasting for two weeks, you'll work with a STEM researcher or industry expert on a live research question or area of development related to their current work. It involves producing a scientific or technical report and poster.
Placements have previously been held with:
- the Natural History Museum
- The University of Manchester
- University College London (UCL).
Another option is In2STEM, a free programme for Year 12 students aged 16 to 19 from lower-income backgrounds who are interested in STEM. Running from July to August, it combines online learning with in-person activities, usually within travelling distance of where students live.
Some STEM placement projects may also be eligible for a CREST Award, overseen by the British Science Association (BSA). By completing a Gold Award, you can develop your research, analytical and problem-solving skills, earn a certificate and gain useful evidence for university and apprenticeship applications.
What about summer schools?
Some universities run pre-university summer schools, often in partnership with employers - for instance, the PARTNERS Academic Summer School (PASS) hosted by Newcastle University.
These programmes are typically residential and held on campus for three or four days, or up to a full week between June and August.
You could live in halls of residence during the programme, giving you a taste of university life - see what you need to know about student accommodation.
Examples of universities that run summer schools include:
Subjects range from art, business and law to engineering, healthcare, science and technology.
The Sutton Trust also works with universities to provide residential programmes. 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
- expert guidance on applying for university
- skills workshops
- social activities.
Applications for summer school schemes are usually made through individual university websites. They often open in January of the year they take place, so be sure to research these early.
Summer schools may be free or charge a fee, so check what is included before applying. The Sutton Trust covers travel, accommodation and food, while some universities provide financial support only to students who meet their widening participation criteria.
Find out more
- Read our guide to getting into university.
- Explore your post-16 options.
- Get the lowdown on using social media for job hunting.