Build your future while completing your degree. Through the Defence STEM Undergraduate Scheme, you will combine university study with two paid summer placements at AWE, gaining practical experience, professional support and insight into some of the UK’s most important engineering and technology challenges.
How to stand out at AWE
Salma's advice for applicants.
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More than a summer placement
The scheme supports you across university and beyond. You will develop confidence, technical capability and professional connections, with financial support towards your studies and a potential pathway into AWE’s Graduate Programme.
At a glance
Who can apply First-year students, or second-year students on a four-year degree, who are due to graduate in 2029 and studying Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science or Systems Engineering.
Placements Two 9-week onsite summer placements between 1 July and 31 August in 2027 and 2028.
Financial support Tuition-fee funding of up to £9,250 per year and an annual bursary of up to £5,000, subject to scheme terms.
Security You must be a UK national with a UK passport, have lived in the UK for at least 10 years, and be willing and able to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.
Location AWE sites in the Aldermaston area. You must be able to relocate or commute to site every day during each placement.
Academic requirement You must remain on track to achieve at least a 2:2 for each year in which you receive funding.
What opportunities will you have?
Real projects: Contribute to engineering, software, systems or data challenges with practical national-security impact.
Expert learning: Work alongside experienced engineers, scientists and technical specialists.
Technical exposure: Explore advanced manufacturing, complex facilities, design, development and systems delivery.
Professional growth: Build confidence, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills across two placements.
Career insight: Understand how different STEM disciplines contribute to AWE’s mission and explore possible career pathways.
Graduate pathway: Receive fast-track consideration for AWE’s Graduate Programme after successfully completing your studies and placements.
What you will learn
How engineering, science and technology combine to solve complex real-world challenges.
How large technical programmes are designed, delivered and supported.
The principles of systems thinking, engineering decision-making and structured problem-solving.
How advanced manufacturing, software, data and technical facilities are used in practice.
How to communicate ideas, collaborate effectively and build confidence in a professional environment.
How your degree can be applied to meaningful work and a future graduate career.
What you will get
Two paid 9-week summer placements at AWE in 2027 and 2028.
Tuition-fee funding of up to £9,250 per year.
An annual bursary of up to £5,000.
Mentoring and support from experienced technical professionals.
A growing professional network across AWE.
Fast-track consideration for AWE’s Graduate Programme, subject to successful completion and selection.
Selection process
Submit your application.
Complete online assessments, with practice tests provided.
Attend a final-stage assessment centre.
Why wait for the future? Create it with AWE.
Reasonable adjustments
We want you to feel confident and informed throughout the process. Tell us if a reasonable adjustment would help. Any inclusion information will be used only to support your application and handled in accordance with data-protection requirements.
(This means that we will supply feedback if requested after an interview.)
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Job ID Number: R31578
Can I use AI to apply?
We are open to you using AI to support your research or to help prepare you for interviews. However, we strongly recommend you do not use it to give you answers to questions as we will not get to know the real you.
