Work experience placements for Year 12 (STEM)

We believe it's important for young people to be able to develop their skills in the workplace while learning more about different course and career options.

Applications for Year 12 work experience placements are now open!

Please see below for further details or use this Yr12 WEX application form to be considered for a place. 

Email address for queries is: UoB-workexperience@bristol.ac.uk

About the work experience placements
Dates and times
How to apply
Eligibility

About the work experience placements

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) work experience weeks have been designed to allow Year 12/ FE students to build their self-confidence, immerse themselves in a scientific environment and gain a better understanding of what science skills, courses and careers are available.

The following work experience programmes are available to apply for:

We are excited to have young, talented, future scientists come to try their hand at some molecular and ecological techniques and help develop their scientific knowledge and experience.

This will be an exciting week where you can generate real scientific data on the diversity of nematodes in Bristol. You will all get the chance to sample for nematodes, view them under a microscope, extract their DNA, amplify that DNA by PCR and then read the DNA sequence to find out which species it belongs to. You will get to do all the techniques involved yourselves so you will get genuine first-hand research experience.

Date: 6th - 10th July 2026

Places: 20

Life in the lab - Biological Sciences Technical

All too often people have the misconception that universities are just about students and lecturers. But what about the hundreds of support staff who keep their schools ticking along? 

Based in the Biological Sciences teaching laboratories, you will experience the skills required, and the diversity involved in working in a busy laboratory environment alongside the lab technicians who work there.  

Activities will vary from year to year but are likely to include microscope skills; media/reagent preparation; working aseptically; basic equipment servicing; field collection techniques; plant propagation; aquarium duties; assisting in outreach activities and electron microscope work.  

Date: 29th June - 3rd July 2026

Places: 6

This week provides a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in laboratory and fieldwork activities in geographical sciences, gaining insights into various techniques and methodologies used in the discipline.

These experiences develop an understanding of the importance of precision and accuracy in scientific research and provide a practical understanding of how geographical data is collected and analysed in real-world settings.

It is a rewarding experience that will strengthen your interest in geographical sciences and help you develop valuable skills for future studies and career paths.

Date: 29th June - 3rd July 2026

Places: 12

Are you interested in finding out about the function of the brain and what underlies our behaviours? We would like to invite young scientists to gain hands on experience of research in the areas of Neuroscience, Psychology and Neuropharmacology. During the week you will have the opportunity to take part in experiments that demonstrate some of the research techniques that are used in each of these disciplines.
You will develop your scientific skills learning about the importance of careful experimentation and accurate recording of results. You will also have the chance to consider how the data from experiments is analysed and presented. 
The week will provide you with and insight in these subjects and help you to develop valuable skills for current and future studies and careers. 
Date: 29th June - 3rd July 2026

Places: 15

 

Dates and times

Dates/times: Year 12 work experience placements will take place in June or July 2025 (approximately 9.30 am – 4.30 pm)

Location: In person at the University of Bristol Clifton Campus

How to apply

Please see below for further details or use this Yr12 WEX application form to be considered for a place. 

Deadline for submissions is the 1st Feb 2026 and all applications will be considered together after that date.  Students will be informed of the outcome within 2 weeks of that date.  

Eligibility

Due to limited spaces, priority will be given to students from widening participation backgrounds.

When allocating places, certain criteria will be taken into consideration as we aim to encourage applications from students currently under-represented at the University. Therefore, applicants will be more likely to gain a place if they: 

  • are from an ethnic group that is under-represented at the University of Bristol: Asian Pakistani, Asian Bangladeshi, Black Caribbean, Black African, mixed backgrounds featuring one or more of these groups;
  • are from a Gypsy, Traveller, Roma, Showmen and Boater (GTRSB) communities
  • are the first in their family to go to university;
  • live in an IMD (Indices of Multiple Deprivation) quintile 1 area as defined by their home postcode;
  • are or have been eligible for free school meals;
  • attend a school or college listed by the University as an aspiring state school or college;
  • have spent three or more months in local authority care;
  • have a disability.

Please read our Access and participation plan 2025-26 to 2028-29 summary (PDF, 146kB) for further information as it sets out how higher education providers will improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access, succeed in and progress from higher education.