University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust Ready2Step Work Experience
Create a free account to applyExplore NHS careers through placements across clinical and non-clinical hospital teams, seeing how a trust runs day to day. Most are observational, but some experience days include safe, simulated hands-on activity.
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust’s Ready2Step Careers and Apprenticeship Academy offers work experience to help young people explore careers in the NHS. Placements cover both clinical and non-clinical areas and are designed to give a realistic insight into how a hospital trust works day to day.
Most placements are observational, although some experience days include safe, simulated hands-on activity.
Opportunities vary in length from half a day to two days, with some programmes lasting a full week. The offer includes observational work experience for Year 12 and above, experience days for Years 10 and 11, and special placements for college students studying a related course.
If an on-site placement cannot be arranged, virtual work experience may be offered instead.
Applications are competitive and only accepted during set windows each year, so applicants need to allow at least eight weeks before their preferred start date. Priority is given to several groups, including young people in the BCP area, those at schools in areas of deprivation, learners with an EHCP, NEET applicants, care-experienced young people and those with recent Armed Forces links.
Some departments may also have 18+ restrictions, and pre-registration programme applicants should use a different route.
31 October 2026
Apply by 31 October 2026 for placements from January to April 2027. The next window is 1 to 28 February 2027, for placements from May to August.
January 2027 – April 2027
January–April placements
May 2027 – August 2027
May–August placements
September 2027 – December 2027
September–December placements
Location
- Observational work experience is for Year 12 and above.
- Some experience days are open to Year 10 and Year 11 students.
- Special work placements are available for college students studying a related course.
- Priority is given to applicants from the BCP area.
- Priority is given to learners at schools in areas of deprivation.
- Priority is given to learners who currently have or previously had an EHCP.
- Priority is given to applicants who are currently NEET.
- Priority is given to applicants who are in or have left care.
- Priority is given to applicants who are currently in or have recently left the Armed Forces.
- Some departments may have age restrictions, including 18+ requirements.
- Work experience placements are not suitable for pre-registration programme applicants.
- Applications need to allow at least eight weeks before the preferred start date.
Free to participate.
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