Career Experience Summer Programmes
for ages 14-17

Not a lecture.
Not a work placement.
Something better.

Five days of real industry access, hands-on workshops, and mentoring from professionals who do this for a living.
At universities. With peers who share your ambitions.

IgnitED offers young people an unforgettable future focussed week.

Behind-the-scenes industry visits, hands-on skills workshops, pathway guidance, and mentorship from professionals in your chosen field.

Experience university life and build lasting friendships with peers who share your aspirations.

3 venues. 5-day programmes. 6 industry options. Hundreds of professionals.

Four teenagers on a Medical work experience in surgical scrubs and caps standing around a surgical tray with medical tools in an operating room.

IgnitED’s 5‑day in‑person summer programmes empower teens with:

  • ✔ Hands‑on career experiences

  • ✔ Real‑world industry mentoring

  • ✔ Direct contact with leading organisations

  • ✔ Pathway guidance to shape their future professional journeys

  • ✔ Connections with new friends sharing your aspirations

A young man with a backpack looking at a small private jet in a hangar, with another person inside the plane loading or unloading luggage.

Experience campus life at UK universities.

August 2026 in-person day programmes now open, delivered by IgnitED at 3 university venues:

University of Surrey

3rd - 7th August
→

University of Portsmouth

3rd - 7th August
→

University of Brighton

10th - 14th August
→

Residential Week at Portsmouth


For families outside the region: Experience the full programme with en-suite accommodation, meals, and evening activities included.
Explore The Residential Option →

“My week at IgnitED was amazing! The week was packed with insight and engagement, opening my future with new skills, experiences, and networks. Such a valuable week with amazing support.”
— Baxter, Law Participant
Engineering careers programme students visit industry Rolls Royce company
Pupil in a Law work experience mock trial, wearing a white traditional curly wig and a black gown with gold pendant, speaking in front of a whiteboard.
“We are delighted to welcome IgnitED participants to Goodwood. Providing young people with first-hand exposure to industry professionals & real-world operations is invaluable in shaping future careers.”
— Sam Medcraft, Goodwood Motor Circuit General Manager

Industry organisations that featured in IgnitED

Join Participants already registered from over 75 schools across the UK for August 2026

Ballard School
Barton Peveril College
Benenden
BHASVIC
Bohunt Horsham
Bohunt Liphook
Brighton College
Bulmershe School
Cams Hill School
Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Charterhouse
City of London Freemen's School
City of Portsmouth College
Claremont Fan Court School
The College of Richard Collyer
The Costello School
Cranleigh School
Davison High School
Downend School
Durrington High School

Embley School
Farnborough College Sixth Form
Farlington School
George Abbot School
Godalming College
Gordon's School
Guildford County School
Guildford High School
Hampton School
Hayesfield Girls School
Herschel Grammar School
Hill Park School
Hoe Valley School
Home educated
Hurstpierpoint College
King's Academy Ringmer
King's College School
King's Secondary School, Hove
Kingston College
Lancing College

Lewes Old Grammar School
Lingfield College
Luckley House
Malden Oaks Tuition Centre
Mayville High School
New City College
Oasis Academy Sholing
Oathall Community College
Peter Symonds College
Pipers Corner
Portsmouth Grammar School
Portsmouth High School
Prospect College
Purbrook Park School
Reading College
Reading School
Reigate Grammar School
RGS Guildford
Robertsbridge Community College
Roedean School

Royal Alexandra and Albert School
Seahaven Academy
Sherborne
Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School
Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School
St Andrews Worthing
St Oscar Romero Catholic School
St Paul's Catholic College, Burgess Hill
St Paul's Catholic College, Sunbury-on-Thames Sutton Grammar School
Swanmore College
Tanbridge House School
Teddington School
Varndean School
Waingels
Westholme School
The Willink School
Woolmer Hill School

Programmes

  • Step behind the scenes of the creative industries with IgnitED’s Arts programme. Explore careers across creative practice and also associated roles across artistic organisations including curation, marketing, operations. Have contact with creative professionals through real-world experiences, expert-led workshops, and industry visits that bring the artistic fields to life.

    Programme information here

  • Explore professional roles and pathways that help businesses & brands launch, grow, and thrive. Gain insights into entrepreneurship, financial management, and strategic brand decision-making with practical challenges and expert mentorship.

    Programme information here

  • Understand the skills and expertise required to build, create, and innovate in this hands-on programme. Delve into the industry of technology and design. Solve real-world problems while exploring career paths in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.

    Programme information here

  • Uncover the intricacies of the legal profession. Step into the courtroom and beyond, as you experience mock trials to understanding the foundations of justice. This experience offers a glimpse into understanding legal careers in the real world.

    Programme information here

  • Explore the life of a healthcare professional — everyday duties and challenges in patient care, research, and medical technology. Experience practical workshops and inspiring talks from industry experts.

    Programme Information here

  • For those still exploring their aspirations. Discover real-world experiences across different industries, build connections, and understand the skills to set you apart. Whether you're exploring careers or exploring your passions, this is your chance to test drive different careers.

    Programme information here

Enquire

Watch IgnitED in action

A man presenting a certificate to a young woman in front of a banner that reads 'IgnitED' and 'Career Experiences'.

Did you know?

• UCAS has introduced a new 3‑question format.
UCAS Q3 asks: “What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?”
IgnitED helps young people prepare for the new 3‑question format, guiding them to showcase evidence of real‑world experiences, industry visits, and mentoring that strengthen their UCAS applications.

• IgnitED is mission-led.
We have a commitment to breaking down socioeconomic barriers. A portion of every registration funds a place for a high‑achieving young person who otherwise could not attend. Read our 2025 impact summary here

• The IgnitED Method aligns with Gatsby Benchmarks 1-3 and 5-8.
Real experiences, real employers, real insight into your future.

The IgnitED Method

STAY IN THE LOOP!

Click here to see our latest updates @ignited_educationuk

✨ Friday Feature! @seaglowmedia : Business Career Experiences Programme 📣 Last summer, our Business Career Experience and Industry Mentoring Programme welcomed Seaglow for an expert led hands-on session all about brand building. From purpose and p
🏎️ Friday Feature! @goodwoodmotorcircuit: Engineering Careers Programme 🔧 In August, our Career Experience and Industry Mentoring Programme brought Engineering Participants trackside at the legendary Goodwood Motor Circuit for an immersive look in
🔍 Friday Feature! West Dean College: Arts Careers Programme 🖼️ Last summer, our Arts Career Experience and Industry Mentoring Programme brought Participants into the heart of one of the UK’s most respected creative institutions, West Dean Co
🔥 Hello 2026 Cohort! 🔥 We’re excited to share that Participants are already registered from over 30 different schools for our August IgnitED Career Experience Programmes! Medicine and Law to Engineering, Business, and the Creative Arts; as
🔍 Friday Feature: Greenwood Wealth Solutions – Business Programme! Last August, our Business Career Experience and Industry Mentoring Programme gave young Participants the chance to explore one of the most essential, yet often overlooked, f
🔍 Friday Feature! West Sussex, Brighton and Hove Coroner Service – Law Last Summer, our Law Career Experience Programme offered Participants a rare chance to step inside one of the most detailed and human‑centred areas of the justice system:
Friday Feature: 🩺 Clinical Hospital Experience! IgnitED Medicine Careers Programme participants stepped inside the Clinical and Medical Education Centre (CMEC) at St Richard’s Hospital, part of @uhsussex NHS Foundation Trust, for a day of han
Friday Feature: Goodwood Art Foundation 🎨   In August, our Arts Career Programme participants had the privilege of visiting the @goodwoodartfoundation for an inspiring, thoughtfully hosted session exploring interpretation, curation, and creati
Friday Feature: Vinco Marketing 🚀 This week, we’re celebrating Victoria, founder of @vincomarketing for delivering an outstanding session as part of our Business Careers Experience Programme ✨ Victoria shared a powerful case study on how Vin

As featured by

“At the heart of IgnitED is an innovative approach that goes beyond solitary work experience placements, to offer a dynamic group environment where young people can engage, collaborate and explore career pathways alongside like-minded peers who share their interests and aspirations.”
- Read the Article

Enquiry Form

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We can’t wait to hear from you!