School Work Experience Open Now
Find work experience programmes open to school students across the UK. Nentra tracks verified opportunities with deadlines and application links for Year 10, 11, and 12 students.
No open opportunities right now — check back soon.
School work experience: what is available and how to apply
Work experience for school students in the UK typically takes place in Year 10 or Year 11 as part of a school-coordinated placement week, but it also includes programmes you arrange independently at any stage of secondary school. Employer-run school programmes: many large employers — particularly law firms, banks, professional services companies, and large businesses — run structured work experience programmes specifically for school students. These range from one-day insight events and open days to week-long placements. They are typically targeted at Year 10, Year 11, or Year 12 students and are usually free to apply for. School placement weeks: most secondary schools organise a designated work experience week, usually in Year 10 or 11, where students arrange placements with local employers. These placements are shorter (typically one week) and less structured than employer-run programmes, but they give you a legitimate entry on your CV and an experience to discuss in future applications. For school students at any stage, the most important thing is to start early. Employer programmes have competitive application processes and early deadlines. If you are in Year 10 or 11, begin researching programmes at the start of the academic year. If you are in Year 12, you have access to a wider range of structured programmes — many firms specifically target Year 12 students as their primary school leaver audience.