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Careers

Work experience

The NPL Academy was a fantastic week that I enjoyed immensely and would recommend to any young person considering a career in science as it gives you real-life experience

Kate Baxter - NPL Academy alumnus

NPL Academy 2025
30 June - 4 July 2025

For many years NPL has run a one-week work experience programme called NPL Academy. This is a fantastic way to make sure you get the most out of a week's worth of work experience. We provide current Year 10 to Year 13 aged students with a real taster of work at a National Laboratory. 

Typically, we welcome a cohort of 30-50 students every year. There are always more applicants than places, and priority is given to those who can demonstrate that they have a genuine interest in science, engineering and business beyond the classroom. 

Applications are now open!

Deadline for applications is midnight 2 February 2025.

Apply now

What happens at the NPL Academy

In 2025, NPL Academy will take place during the week of Monday 30th June – Friday 4th July. Participants will be required to attend our Teddington site. Each day runs from 09:30-16:00. NPL hosts will set a task and mentor a team of students throughout the week, and students will present their work on the final day. Projects might include working on atomic clocks, computer programming, electronics, fibre optics, finance, IT, media, microscopy, project management, prototyping, quality assurance, quantum science, stakeholder analysis.

Typically, we welcome a cohort of about 30-50 students each year. With many more applicants than places, priority is given to those who can demonstrate that they have a genuine interest in science, engineering and business beyond the classroom. 

NPL does not provide, or require, payment for participation in NPL Academy and cannot fund travel or subsistence costs. No prior reading or preparation is required for NPL Academy projects. 

NPL Academy is our only work experience programme, we do not offer additional work experience places.

Schedule

  • Monday: Induction, team building exercise and demonstrations, meet with mentors.
  • Tuesday: Time with mentors and project work with team.
  • Wednesday: Project work with mentor support in the morning. A cohort challenge onsite in the afternoon.
  • Thursday: Time with mentors and project work with team.
  • Friday: Students write up and practice presentations in the morning. In the afternoon students present to cohort and guests.

Email us if you have any questions  

Application Form

Deadline for applications: midnight Sunday 2 February 2025.

We will inform successful candidates directly by mid February and will share online forms such as risk assessments and photographic permissions between February and June.

If you have any personal circumstances that may affect your application or have any questions, please ask your Responsible Adult to confidentially email these to academy@npl.co.uk.

If we experience a high volume of applications, we will prioritise applicants who have not had other work experience opportunities.

About the applicant
Have you had or do you have any other work experience opportunities*:
About the responsible adult (teacher or parent/guardian)
Responsible Adult statement: I can confirm that I am 18+*
Applicant’s personal statement*
Why would you (the student) like to be involved in NPL Academy 2025? In reviewing applications, we will be looking for students who express an interest in STEM or their chosen career beyond the classroom, an understanding of what NPL is and does, and reasons why we should choose them for NPL Academy .
(maximum of 500 words)
Are you (student) familiar with using Microsoft Excel? :

If you are not, and we need you to use it, we will provide training.
Projects applicant would like to be considered for
Project type – please tick preference*:
Verification:

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