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Gain firsthand experience in the top professions and the skills needed to achieve your aspirations. We provide:
Mentoring with a professional via email
Tailored skills sessions and career workshops
University application and degree apprenticeship support and guidance
Work experience with top employers
Get expert advice and support from a mentor working in your chosen sector.
Access the networks and opportunities needed to reach your career goals.
Meet and form connections with brilliant young people, just like you, from all over the UK.
Grab the attention of politicians and the media by joining our Young Campaigners' Network.
98%
of students said they could not have obtained the work placements without our help.
96%
of students who graduated in 2021 are in full-time work or further education.*
* of known outcomes
66%
of students attended Russell Group universities.
“
The older I get, the more I find that doing that one long application for the Aspiring Professionals Programme was the smartest decision 16-year-old me could have made.
”
Wafia
|
Multiple internships
You must be in Year 12, lower sixth or S5 and also:
GCSEs at Grades 7-9 (England, Wales, NI)4 Nat5s at Grades A/B (Scotland). Some sectors have additional academic requirements, find out more here. We offer exemptions for students who are care experienced, please indicate on your application if this applies to you.
Our five year programme supports students from aged 16/17 through higher education and into their first job.
Meet your new community at our launch events
University & Degree Apprenticeship support, including UCAS application support, resources, workshops and our Personal Statement Checking Service
Work experience opportunities and support, including CV and application support
Support transitioning and settling into University or a Degree Apprenticeship
Support with applying for and getting graduate jobs
We'll place you on APP City if you live in or near Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, or Newcastle. You'll receive in-person and virtual skills sessions, access to our student platform, and university application or degree apprenticeship support, plus you’ll be matched with a professional mentor from your chosen sector. We also have work experience across these cities or support to help you find your own!
We’ll place you on APP Reach if you live too far outside our cities to join us in person. You’ll receive all of the support you need to be successful in university or degree apprenticeship applications virtually, and get invited to online skills sessions and workshops. You’ll also be matched with a professional mentor in your sector and we’ll provide support to help you find work experience in your area.
If you live outside London, you can register your interest in one of our summer Residential Work Experiences. We currently have Residentials for students interested in Banking & Finance, Business, Digital, Law, Media & Comms, Politics, and Medicine (currently Medicine is limited to England students only). If you're selected, you’ll go on a 1 or 2-week summer placement with a top employer in London, Glasgow or Middlesbrough.
APP City supports high-achieving students in lower sixth/S5/year 12 into competitive universities and top professions. It’s open to motivated and ambitious students in Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Newcastle. It will help you access the top universities and your chosen profession through:
1. Mentoring with a volunteer working in your chosen sector
2. Online resources to develop skills and career knowledge
3. University application support and guidance
4. Virtual work placements
We offer support in:
Accountancy | Banking & Finance | Biology & Chemistry| Business | Digital | Engineering & Physics | Law | Media & Communications | Medicine | Politics | No Preference
83% of our 2023 graduates are in full-time further education, employment or training – 87% of those in jobs are in highly skilled roles.
A programme packed with opportunities, resources and support to reach your full potential and meet likeminded people. You'll build your confidence and create networks to help you shine in your future career.
This depends on where you live, go to school and your chosen sector. Please start your application to check your eligiblity.
Work experience residentials are for UK students living outside of London who want experience in specific sectors. Our employer partners are listed below. Work experience typically involves a face-to-face residential in London (the Medicine Insight Programme takes place in Middlesbrough). Students will be mentored by an employee from the employer partner, join skills development workshops and get university application support.
Get a real-life insight into your chosen career and grow the skills you need to succeed.
A packed programme of workshops, skills sessions, university application support and fun activities. We cover all travel, accommodation, and meals expenses.
Our 2024 employer partners were Akin Gump, Herbert Smith Freehills Freshfields, Linklaters, J.P. Morgan, PA Consulting, White and Case (please note this is subject to change):
APP J.P. Morgan Finance Programme: for students interested in banking and finance, investment banking, mathematics and economics.
APP J.P. Morgan Digital Programme: for students interested in computer science, financial technology, cyber security, coding and system design.
APP BP Engineering Programme: for students interested in engineering
APP PA Consulting Springboard Programme: for students interested in general business, consultancy, politics and sustainability. This work experience programme is shaped around the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
APP Medicine Insight Programme: for students interested in pursuing medicine. This programme is only open to students within England.
APP Law Insight Programme: for students interested in law. We have a range of programmes with multiple law firms, including:
APP Linklaters Making Links Discovery Programme: for students interested in pursuing law only.
APP Freshfields Programme: for students interested in law and business.
APP Reach is a programme for motivated and ambitious students right across the UK. It will help you access the top universities and your chosen profession through:
1. Mentoring with a professional working in your chosen sector
2. Online resources and workshops to develop skills and career knowledge
3. University application/degree apprenticeship support and guidance
4. Opportunity to go on one of our Residential Work Experiences, take part in our SMF-Led Insights or get support to find work experience in your area
We offer support to students interested in:
Accountancy | Banking & Finance | Biology & Chemistry | Business | Digital | Engineering & Physics | Law | Media & Communications | Medicine | Politics | No Preference
83% of our 2023 graduates are in full-time further education, employment or training – 87% of those in jobs are in highly skilled roles.
An exciting programme that gives you skills, experience and practical advice.
You only need to make one application. If you're successful, we'll place you on the best programme for you.
1
Apply online
Applications will open in September 2025.
2
Reference and consent
You'll nominate a teacher to provide a reference for you by email, and a parent or guardian for consent once you submit your application.
3
Outcome
We'll email applicants with the outcome of their application from January 2026.
“
I can undoubtedly say that I wouldn’t be in this position without the continual support from the incredible team here. The biggest lesson I'll take away from the programme is that regardless of where you come from, your aspirations are always achievable!
”
Jay
|
Aspiring Professionals Programme Student
If you have big goals in education and work, the Aspiring Professionals Programme is for you.
Check your eligibility and apply now. We hope to see you on the programme next year!
Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, and Newcastle. If you live in, or near, one of these cities then we'll place you on APP City.
Yes. We also cover reasonable expenses related to attending programme events and work experience.
We’ll support you from Year 12, lower sixth or S5 through to your first graduate job.
Applications open in September and usually close in December.
Complete one application and, if you’re successful, we’ll take care of the rest by enrolling you onto the most suitable programme.
Enter your question below and one of our friendly programme coordinators will get back to you.
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