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For people, place, prosperity and planet, we deliver impact with measurement science

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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

Applications are now closed for the 2025 NPL Academy.

Please check back on this page in October 2025 for applications and 2026 dates.

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 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.

What happens at the NPL Academy

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.

Email us if you have any questions  

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.

Are you ready to make an impact?

Push the boundaries of your education and skills, and make a difference to the biggest challenges facing the UK and beyond.

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