Summer career experience programmes for 14–17 year olds

See it. Try it. Choose it.

Five days of work experiences and career exploration on a university campus, mentored by professionals from the industry you're curious about.

Find your programme Register your interest
  • Build your professional network
  • Employer workshops and workplace visits
  • Mentored by industry professionals
  • NCFE-endorsed certificate and mentor reference
Medicine participants scrubbed in for a surgical simulation
Law participants in costume running a mock trial
Engineering participants building a cardboard robotic arm
A business mentor working with participants on what retailers look for in a pitch
Arts participants screen-printing tote bags
IgnitED tote bag, notebook, folder and lanyard
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organisations featured in our 2026 programmes, including:

Medicine

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation TrustFrimley Health NHS Foundation TrustPortsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

Engineering

Rolls-Royce Motor CarsBAE SystemsUK Atomic Energy Authority

Business

HSBCBrighton & Hove Albion FCAir Social

Law

HM Courts & Tribunals ServiceBird & BirdThe University of Law

The Arts

ATG EntertainmentFabricaBrighton School of Music
Programmes

Find your industry programme

A week of in-person experiences and mentorship, led by professionals who work in the field.

Medicine participants with a clinical educator on a simulation ward

Medicine

Clinical skills, simulation and the route to medical school, including UCAT guidance, with healthcare professionals.

Explore Medicine →
Engineering participants in hard hats at a fusion research facility

Engineering

Industry visits, coding, robotics and design challenges with working engineers.

Explore Engineering →
Law participants with legal professionals outside a magistrates court

Law

Mock trials and courtroom skills, plus conversations with practising lawyers about routes into law.

Explore Law →
Business participants planning ideas on a whiteboard

Business

Entrepreneurship, brand and pitching workshops with business leaders.

Explore Business →
Arts participants with their finished work

The Arts

Creative arts careers: film, design and creative-industry workshops with working artists.

Explore The Arts →
Participants looking at an exhibition of work

Broadening Horizons

Still exploring? Career guidance and sessions across different industries to help you find your direction.

Explore Broadening Horizons →
New for 2027: we're developing more industry programmes. Register your interest to be the first to hear when they launch. →
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University campuses

A first-hand taste of university life and learning

5

Day in-person programmes

Four days on campus and one day behind the scenes in a real workplace

6

Industry programmes to choose from

Medicine, Engineering, Law, Business, The Arts and Broadening Horizons

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Schools & colleges

Young people from 146 local schools and colleges took part in the 2026 IgnitED programmes

What you'll gain

  • A week of mentored career experiences in your chosen industry
  • Employer workshops and visits that start your industry contacts
  • New peers and friendships with those who share your interests
  • Academic and career pathway guidance
  • NCFE-endorsed programme certificate of completion
  • Personal mentor reference letter

How the week works

Modern work experience: a designed programme, not a week of shadowing, built with the people who do the job.

See it

Employer workshops and behind-the-scenes visits put you in the room with organisations in the field, and start your industry contacts.

Try it

Practical workshops and team challenges using real equipment and techniques, mentored throughout by an industry professional.

Choose it

Pathway guidance sessions, from UCAT to LNAT, to apprenticeship applications, plus a mentor reference letter and an NCFE-endorsed achievement certificate.

Day 1 · Campus

Welcome, team building and first sessions with professionals

Day 2 · Campus

Hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions and mentoring

Day 3 · Industry

Behind the scenes in a real workplace

Day 4 · Campus

Practical challenges and workshops with industry guests

Day 5 · Campus

Team pitches to peers and a closing ceremony

Watch

A week at IgnitED, in one minute

Workshops, visits, mentors and the people you'll meet.

A Law participant laughing during a workshop
“My week at IgnitED was amazing! The week was packed with insight and engagement, opening my future with new skills, experiences, and networks.”
Law participant, 2026
Read our impact report
“She had an absolutely fantastic week and it really has set her up with her plan for the future.”
Parent of an Engineering participant, 2026
“It was clear how much he valued the opportunity to gain an insight into the medical profession and the different career opportunities available.”
Parent of a Medicine participant, 2026
Campus locations

Choose your campus

Every programme runs Monday to Friday on a university campus, with visits to organisations nearby. All six programmes run at every campus.

Surrey

University of Surrey

Guildford, Surrey

Explore Surrey →Brighton

University of Brighton

Brighton, Sussex

Explore Brighton →Portsmouth

University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth, Hampshire

Explore Portsmouth →

2027 dates and venues will be announced soon. Register your interest and we'll send dates and prices as soon as they're confirmed.

Coming from further afield? We also run a residential week with a stay in university halls, which can count towards the Gold DofE Residential section. Our 2026 residential ran at the University of Portsmouth, and we're confirming the venue for 2027. Explore the residential week →

Trust and safety

IgnitED is a mission-led social enterprise. A portion of every paid registration funds places for high-achieving young people who otherwise wouldn't be able to attend, awarded through their schools.

NCFE Endorsed Programme

Our curriculum, delivery, and learner experience have been independently reviewed and quality assured by NCFE, a national awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual in England. All participants who complete our summer programmes receive an IgnitED certificate of completion, bearing the NCFE Endorsed Programme logo, as evidence of their achievements. These programmes are endorsed by NCFE and are not a regulated qualification.

Built on the Gatsby BenchmarksThe IgnitED Method aligns with Benchmarks 1–3 and 5–8.
Safeguarding by designDBS-checked mentors and supervised ratios.
Mentor reference letterPersonalised by your industry mentor, alongside your NCFE-endorsed certificate.

Registrations for summer 2027 open in December.

Register your interest and we'll share dates and prices as soon as they're confirmed.