At a Glance
- Tasks: Kickstart your tech career with real projects and support from experienced engineers.
- Company: Join PortSwigger, a leading tech company dedicated to empowering women in tech.
- Benefits: Full university fees paid, paid internships, and ongoing mentoring.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with free meals, gym access, and a supportive community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while learning and growing alongside other aspiring women in tech.
- Qualifications: Curiosity about tech and a passion for problem-solving are key.
The predicted salary is between 6000 - 9000 £ per month.
Start your career in tech - with real support, real experience, and real impact. This programme is designed for young women at the very start of their tech journey - whether you already love coding, or you're just discovering that tech could be for you. At PortSwigger, we don’t believe in "watch from the sidelines" internships. From day one, you’ll be trusted, supported, and treated like a real engineer, learning alongside people who genuinely want you to succeed. This programme exists to remove barriers, build confidence, and give you a clear, supported path into a career in software engineering.
What You’ll Do (and Learn)
- Work on real software used by people all over the world
- Learn how professional engineers build, test, and improve products
- Pair and collaborate with experienced developers who want to help you grow
- Explore modern tools, including AI-assisted development
- Be part of a Women in Tech cohort, so you’ll grow alongside others like you
This isn’t about being perfect - it’s about learning fast, asking questions, and building confidence.
What We’ll Give You
- If you join the Scholarship pathway:
- Full university fees paid (up to £70,000 total)
- A year placement of paid software engineering work
- 6+ weeks of work each year during university summer holidays (£750 per week)
- If you join as an Intern:
- 6+ weeks of work each year during holidays (£750 per week)
Both opportunities give you:
- Real Engineering Experience And Meaningful Support
- You’ll ship real features to real customers, early on
- Work on products used by professionals around the world
- Long-term mentoring from experienced engineers
- Ongoing support, coaching, and career guidance
- Structured learning, mentoring, and daily support
- A ready-made peer group of other interns and early-career engineers
- A genuine pathway into our Graduate Software Developer programme
100% of our previous Women in Tech interns and scholars chose to stay on and join our Graduate Software Developer scheme.
Requirements
Who this programme is for: You don’t need to know everything already. This programme is designed to support women right at the start of their tech journey. This opportunity is for you if you are:
- Curious about technology and how things work
- Interested in software, problem-solving, or engineering
- Excited to learn, ask questions, and try new things - with real support
- Motivated by the idea of building real products that matter
- Considering a future career in technology, but want guidance and confidence along the way
Eligibility
To apply, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- You are a woman currently in Year 13, studying A-levels
- You are predicted AAA or higher at A-level
- You are aiming to study Computer Science at university (or Computer Science combined with another subject, such as Maths or Physics, with Computer Science being the primary focus)
- You are considering applying to leading university.
- You live within commuting distance of Knutsford, so you can be office-based during your summer internship, and/or any year-in-industry (9-12 months)
- You don’t need to have had formal work experience in tech - we care far more about potential, curiosity, and motivation.
Benefits
Life at PortSwigger (and what you get out of it) This programme is designed to give you financial security, real experience, and a clear path into a tech career.
- Financial support & career security:
- Full university tuition fees paid (up to £70,000 total) for scholars
- Paid software engineering work throughout your degree (£750 per week)
- A fast track pathway into our Graduate Software Developer programme
- Day-to-day life & community:
- Free breakfast, lunch, and lots of snacks cooked by our in-house chefs
- On-site gym with yoga, Pilates, boxing, HIIT, and more
- A ready-made graduate and early-career community - you won’t be doing this alone
- Paid team socials, graduate events, and company-wide celebrations
- A place where you can belong:
- A friendly, inclusive culture where you can be yourself and feel supported
- People who want to teach, mentor, and see you succeed
If you are interested, please look at some more of our key resources:
- Women in Tech Scholarship Scheme
- Visit our dedicated programme page for full details on the scholarship, internship opportunities, eligibility, and how to apply.
- Learn more about the programme
- Read our press release announcing the Women in Tech Scholarship, including a statement from our CEO.
- Hear from past candidates
- Discover why our previous Women in Tech interns/scholars chose a career in technology - and what they learned along the way.
- Explore opportunities at PortSwigger
- Watch a short video showcasing how we support and inspire women pursuing careers in tech.
- Life at PortSwigger
- Take a virtual tour of our office and get a feel for everyday life as a Swigger
- Graduate stories
- Read reflections from our recent graduates and learn what starting a career at PortSwigger is really like.
Women in Tech Scholarship (WiT) in Knutsford employer: PortSwigger
PortSwigger is an exceptional employer that values innovation and collaboration, providing a dynamic work environment in the heart of Knutsford. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer comprehensive benefits, competitive salaries, and share options, ensuring our team members are rewarded for their contributions while enjoying a supportive culture that fosters professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Women in Tech Scholarship (WiT) in Knutsford
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at PortSwigger or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to PortSwigger.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like PortSwigger.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like PortSwigger that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Women in Tech Scholarship (WiT) in Knutsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at PortSwigger.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at PortSwigger and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at PortSwigger
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If PortSwigger uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
