Career Experience Summer Programmes
for ages 14-17

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

Five days of real‑world mentoring and hands‑on workshops at university, with new friends who share your ambitions.

IgnitED offers young people an unforgettable future-focussed summer week.

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

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

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

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

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.

*Registration Closes 1st June

August 2026 in-person programmes, 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 Careers Experiences Week 2026:

For participants seeking an authentic university-style experience, our full residential programme includes private en‑suite accommodation, all meals, and evening activities. 2nd - 7th August: Explore Our 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

IgnitED 2026: Meet Real-World Professionals from

Participants from over 120 schools are already registered.

Join them this summer: registration closes 1 June.

ACS Cobham
ACS Egham International School
All Hallows Farnham
Alleyn's School
Ash Manor School
Ballard School
Barton Peveril College
Battle Abbey School
Benenden
BHASVIC
Bishop Luffa
Bohunt Horsham
Bohunt Liphook
Bohunt Worthing
Brighton College
Brighton Girls
Bryanston
Bulmershe School
Burnham Grammar School
Cams Hill School
Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Caterham School
Charterhouse
City of London Freemen's School
City of Portsmouth College
Claremont Fan Court School
Cranleigh School
Cranmore School
Davison High School
Downend School
Durrington High School

Ewell Castle School
Fareham Academy
Farlington School
Farnborough College Sixth Form
Farnham Heath End School
George Abbot School
Godalming College
Gordon's School
Great Ballard
Grey Court School
Guildford County School
Guildford High School
Hampton High
Hampton School
Hayesfield Girls School
Haywards Heath College
Highgrove School
Hoe Valley School
Holy Trinity CE Secondary School, Crawley
Home educated
Howard of Effingham School
Hurstpierpoint College
King Edward’s
King Edwards Witley
Kings College School
Kings Secondary School, Hove
Kingston College
Lancing College
Lewes Old Grammar School
Lingfield College
Luckley House

Marlborough College
Mayville High School
MCS
Meoncross School
New City College
Nonsuch High School for Girls
Oasis Academy Sholing
Oathall Community College
Our Lady of Sion
Pipers Corner
Portsmouth Grammar School
Portsmouth High School
Priorsfield
Prospect College
Purbrook Park School
Reading College
Reading School
Reigate Grammar School
RGS Guildford
Robertsbridge Community College
Rodborough School
Roedean School
Royal Alexandra and Albert School
Sandringham School
Seaford College
Seahaven Academy
Sherborne
Shoreham Academy
Shoreham College
Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School
St Andrews Catholic School, Leatherhead

St Andrews Worthing
St Catherine’s Bramley
St Crispin's School
St Edward’s School, Oxford
St Paul's Catholic College, Burgess Hill
St Paul's Catholic College, Sunbury-on-Thames
St Peter's
St Oscar Romero Catholic School
Stanchester Academy
Sutton Grammar School
Swanmore College
Tanbridge House School
Teddington School
The College of Richard Collyer
The Costello School
The Gatwick School
The Hollyfield School and Sixth Form Centre
The Holt School
The Petersfield School
The Willink School
Trinity School Croydon
Trinity School Newbury
Uxbridge College
Varndean School
Waingles
Wallington County Grammar School
Wallington High School for Girls
Westholme School
Willingdon Community School
Woodcote High 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.

  • IgnitED’s summer programmes are endorsed by NCFE
    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 completing our summer programmes receive an IgnitED certificate of completion, bearing the NCFE Endorsed Programme logo, as evidence of their acheivements. These programmes are endorsed by NCFE and are not a regulated qualification.

Black and white logo with the words 'NCEF' inside a rectangle, and 'ENDORSED PROGRAMME' written below.

IgnitED programmes are endorsed by NCFE.
Programmes are not a regulated qualification.

The IgnitED Method

STAY IN THE LOOP!

Click here to see our latest updates @ignited_educationuk

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🤝Meet James, our law mentor for Portsmouth & Brighton After completing his LLB (Hons) at the University of East Anglia and the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Guildford, James trained at Macfarlanes before working as a commercial a
4 Weekends left to book onto this summers IgnitED careers experience weeks, find us at the University of Brighton, Surrey & Portsmouth Step into the world you want to work in, 5 days, real professionals, genuine experience. Workshops that go b
📢 1 month to go till registrations close! Will you be joining us? Contact us for availability and programme information Website 🔗 in bio! #careerexprience #summerprogramme #futureready
A few snaps from our visit to the brilliant University of Brighton campus this week — sunshine included ☀️ IgnitED Careers Week • Brighton Uni • 10–14 Aug ✨ Experience university life ✨ Build confidence with support from Mentor
✈️ Friday Feature! @goodwood Aerodrome Engineering Careers Programme Last summer, our Engineering Career Experience and Industry Mentoring Programme took Participants behind the scenes at the iconic Goodwood Aerodrome — and we’re delight

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

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Enquiry Form

Complete the form below with your enquiry and we will be in touch shortly.

We can’t wait to hear from you!