Grantham Institute Year 12 Work Experience Programme
Imperial College London
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Spend a fully funded week at Imperial exploring climate and environmental research - a five-day, on-campus Year 12 work experience giving hands-on lab access, talks, visits and presentation experience.
The Grantham Institute Year 12 Work Experience Programme is a five-day, non-residential on-campus placement at Imperial College London focused on climate change and environmental science. Participants gain first-hand insight into research and professional life within academic teams, experiencing daily routines, attending talks, and accessing research laboratories, workshops and technical suites.
The programme aims to expose students to careers across research, policy, communications and innovation in the environmental sector. Each participant joins a departmental stream where timetables vary by department.
Activities include group tasks, workshops (past examples include Climate Fresk), visits (e. g. , to the Natural History Museum and Carbon Capture Lab), and an academic-style conference at the end of the week where students present a poster and short oral presentation.
Students are supported throughout by student ambassadors and receive sessions on applying to university such as personal statements and interview skills. The programme targets Year 12 state school students who meet stringent academic requirements (including high GCSE attainment and specified A-level subject combinations depending on stream).
It is fully funded for successful applicants, though travel is not included by default; limited travel assistance may be available.
01 Jan 2026
Location
- In Year 12 at the time of application
- Studying at a state school in the UK (students at fee-paying schools are not eligible)
- Able to travel to and from Imperial College London each day (non-residential programme)
- Expect to study a STEM subject at university
- Have achieved a minimum of eight GCSEs with at least five at grades 7-9, including Mathematics and Sciences
- Have achieved a minimum of grade 5 in GCSE English Language
- Must be studying Mathematics and one of: Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Geology, or Physics (specific A-level/equivalent requirements apply for different streams)
- Not eligible: students studying abroad or at an international school based in the UK
- Priority given to applicants who have been in care or who are estranged (living independently)
- Priority factors (increase likelihood): young carer status; family income below £50,000; eligibility for free school meals/pupil premium; first generation to attend higher education; living in low-progression or high-deprivation areas; attending a school with below-average attainment
Programme is fully funded (free to successful applicants). Funding covers all course fees, materials and lunch. Travel is not included as standard, but Imperial may be able to offer financial assistance for travel to successful applicants.
Free for successful applicants: course fees, materials and lunch included. Travel not included by default; limited travel assistance may be available for eligible applicants.
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