Welcome to our Application Guide and Frequently Asked Questions
This page is split into four sections:
- Eligibility and Application Form
- Apply
- Application Assessment and Awards
- Award Commitments
This page includes everything you need to know about the Semiconductor Talent Award, and we encourage you to read it carefully before you apply.
We wish you the best of luck with your application!
Eligibility and the Application Form
Am I eligible?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be classified as a home student, or be a British National
- Be starting a course in September/October 2026 at a UKESF Partner University
- Have a firm UCAS offer to study either:
- Electronics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), or a related degree course
- Materials Science
- Physics
Is my course eligible?
Applicants must have a firm offer to start your degree in September/October 2026 at one of the UKESF’s 30 partner universities.
UKESF Partner Universities: Aston University, Bangor University, University of Bath, University of Bristol, University of Birmingham, Cardiff University, University of Cambridge, Coventry University, The University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, Heriot Watt University, Imperial College London, King’s College London, Lancaster University, University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, Loughborough University, The University of Manchester, Newcastle University, University of Nottingham, Queen’s University Belfast, Royal Holloway University of London, The University of Sheffield, University of Southampton, University of Surrey, University of Strathclyde, Swansea University, UCL, The University of Warwick, University of York.
Electronics /Electrical and Electronics Engineering
You must be studying a degree course that begins with, or includes, UCAS code H6 (e.g. H600, H611, GH64 and GHK6). Also eligible is Electronic and Computer Engineering (I800) and related subjects that involve the design of semiconductors.
If you will be studying at Cambridge, Engineering (H100) is eligible.
Computer Science
UCAS course codes beginning with G (e.g.G400, G402, G404) are eligible.
Materials Science
UCAS course codes J5 (e.g. J500, J501 and J510) are eligible.
Physics
UCAS course code F3 (e.g. F300) is eligible.
If you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to get in touch at [email protected].
Your University offer – What is meant by ‘Firm Offer’ and an ‘Insurance Offer’?
You will be asked to detail your Firm Offer and Insurance Offer from UCAS.
- A Firm UCAS acceptance offer is your first-choice university i.e. the offer you’ve accepted, and the one you will go to if you meet their criteria.
- An Insurance UCAS acceptance offer is your back up choice, if you don’t meet the criteria for your firm offer. If your Insurance acceptance is not a UKESF partner university, please select ‘other university’ on the form.
Can I apply for this Award if my Firm UCAS Offer is not a UKESF partner university, but my Insurance Offer is?
No, your Firm UCAS acceptance offer must be a UKESF partner university. Your Insurance Offer can be any university.
What does the Application Form include?
To complete your application, you will need to provide:
- Some personal and background information so we can contact you and assess your application
- Details of your UCAS firm and (if applicable) insurance acceptances
- An explanation of what the Award would mean to you.
Once I start my Application, do I have to complete it in one go?
No, you will have the opportunity to save your progress and return later. Don’t forget, the deadline to apply is 22:00 on 30 June 2026.
I have a query about the application form, can I get help?
You can get in touch at [email protected]
Apply
If you meet the eligibility criteria, begin your application here
Deadline: 22:00 on 30 June 2026
Application Assessment and Awards
Semiconductor Talent Award offer – What is meant by ‘Provisional Award’ and ‘Confirmed Award’?
- A ‘Provisional Award’ is sent ahead of results day, before you receive your confirmation of your university place. Candidates with provisional offers will be asked to provide proof of their university placement by 23:59 on 20 August 2026.
- A ‘Confirmed Award’ is subject to confirming acceptance at either firm or insurance university.
- As part of the eligibility process, UKESF verifies offer status directly with universities. If you receive a Confirmed Award, we will share your name with the university you have a place with, to allow them to support you through your Award.
What are the awarding criteria?
Applications will be assessed on a range of criteria, including those relevant to improving social mobility and representation in the semiconductor sector, alongside the perceived impact of the award.
When will I find out if I’m successful?
Successful candidates will be notified of a ‘Provisional Award’ by email by 31 July. You will be required to provide evidence that you have been accepted onto an eligible course before 23:59 on 20 August to receive a ‘Confirmed Award’.
Award Commitments
If I’m successful, when will my Induction Day take place?
On a weekday, during September, before the University ‘Welcome Weeks’ begin.
What will my commitment be?
Award-holders will be required to:
- Start the degree course stated within their ‘Confirmed Award’
- Attend the Induction Day in September 2026
- Meaningfully participate in the Award programme. The programme will include both online and in-person events and learning & development activities.
- Attend mentoring sessions
- Provide feedback. There will be multiple opportunities to provide feedback on different elements of the Award throughout the programme. Your feedback will help to ensure ongoing value and inform continuous improvement
- Provide updates and feedback for up to 3 years after the end of the Award programme
What happens if I withdraw from my degree course?
Please inform us as soon as possible at [email protected]. If you withdraw from your degree course, you will no longer be eligible to participate in the Award. Depending on the circumstances, you may be required to return all, or part, of your bursary.