On this page, you’ll find important information about our Scholarship Scheme and what’s involved, as well as guidance on how to make your application and prepare for interview.
Your involvement in the Scheme
Throughout your Scholarship, you will have the opportunity to be involved in a number of different activities, designed to provide comprehensive and in-depth support to prepare you for graduate employment. Your involvement includes:
- Working for your sponsoring company for your summer placements and any other periods as agreed when accepting your Scholarship offer
- Meeting with your company mentor at least twice a year
- Attending a UKESF Professional Development Course (previously known as the UKESF Scholars’ Workshop)
- Helping to promote Electronics in schools through at least one activity each year – we’ll support you in this
- Supporting the UKESF to promote Scholarships to other students at your university
- Submitting an annual report each year of your Scholarship, to be shared with the UKESF and your sponsoring company
The UKESF Professional Development Course
During your Scholarship (usually as you enter your final year of study) you will be invited to attend a 4-day residential course, packed with professional and personal development sessions and networking with speakers from the Electronics sector. Our course will help to equip you with skills not covered by university, and also count as 27 hours towards the IET CPD monitoring scheme.
"Completely surpassed my expectations, so many great talks, activities and exercises."
Feedback on the Scholar Workshop 2022
What Happens Once You’ve Submitted Your First Application?
- The UKESF team will check your application to ensure you are eligible for the scheme.
- A few days after the initial deadline, if you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be invited to apply to two additional companies. You can use your initial application, and you will have the option to tailor it for different employers.
- We will also check that your application meets the company-specific requirements before sending it to your chosen employer.
- The companies select who they would like to interview and contact candidates directly to arrange interviews.
- Interviews normally take place in November, December or January – scroll down to read our interview advice.
- We contact you with the outcome of your interview by mid-February.
Additional Opportunities to Apply
We may contact you to give you the opportunity to submit additional applications. This could be for a new company joining the UKESF Scholarship Scheme, or we may think that you’re a good fit for an existing company who would like to review more applications. Please ensure emails sent from UKESF to your university email account are not marked as spam, so that you don’t miss out on any additional opportunities.
Unsuccessful Applications
If you are not successful in obtaining a scholarship this year, you are welcome to apply again next year.
Application Advice
- Research the companies that you would like to apply for
- Check that your chosen company offers the length of placement you want
- Ensure you meet any company-specific requirements
- Give yourself plenty of time to complete your application
- Don’t be afraid to pitch yourself
- Try to use unique and relevant examples
- Mention your other interests
- Be clear and concise
- Check spelling!
Interview Advice
- Research the company and be up-to-date on industry news
- Allow plenty of time for travel and dress smartly
- Smile and make eye contact
- Talk about your motivation and interests – be prepared to talk about why you want this job specifically.
- Demonstrate your technical knowledge
- Draw upon any professional experience you have, even if it’s not in the same industry
- Try some practice interview questions and make the most of the careers support from your university
- Remember it’s OK to not have all the answers
- Have some questions ready to ask