Defence STEM Undergraduate Scheme

Why this opportunity matters

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Academic requirement

You must remain on track to achieve at least a 2:2 for each year in which you receive funding.

We are AWE.

We're a team of remarkable people achieving an extraordinary mission: keeping the nation safe and secure.

Our work is critical.

We are responsible for delivering the next warhead for the UK's nuclear deterrent; working at the forefront of nuclear technologies that keep the nation safe. AWE’s support for the government’s strategy takes many facets: from supporting the weapon programme for the nuclear deterrent, supporting the UK’s counter terrorist programme, identifying where there may be nuclear tests taking place around the world, and building an expert group of individuals in order to give the UK real depth in nuclear science and technology.

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