Recruiting graduates can be expensive and time-consuming. The UKESF can de-risk your search for graduates by connecting your company with the most capable Electronics undergraduates at 29 of the UK’s top universities.

About the UKESF Scholarship Scheme

For over 10 years, the UKESF Scholarship Scheme has been working with leading Electronics and Technology employers to provide opportunities for industry placements, employability skills development and financial support to students.

Scholars are sponsored by an employer throughout their degree. They will participate in work experience (from 8 weeks to 12 months per year) at their employer and they will receive an annual bursary, as well as benefit from additional wrap-around support from the UKESF.

For more details, download the UKESF Scholarship Brochure for Employers here.

If you would like to take part in the Scholarship Scheme, or would like to discuss how it might be able to benefit your organisation, get in touch:

[email protected] | 01285 862381

In a 2022 survey, 100% of employers responded that they would recommend the UKESF Scholarship Scheme. To date, we have worked with more than 90 employers to support 850 undergraduates.

In 2022, our Scholarship Scheme was awarded a prestigious Princess Royal Training Award, testament to the valuable work experience that our network of employers provides, and the in-depth wrap-around support that helps undergraduates to thrive when they enter the workplace.

 

Why do employers participate in the Scholarship Scheme?

1. To engage with the most capable undergraduates

Employers are able to build early relationships and develop the skills of undergraduates ahead of graduate employment.

60% of Scholars who have finished their studies are working in an organisation that offers UKESF Scholarships.

2. Our Scholarships are promoted widely in 29 universities

Through working with academics, the very best students are encouraged to apply. It is an opportunity for both large and small organisations to raise awareness of their opportunities with the most suitable candidates.

3. The UKESF has an established and refined process, reducing your administrative burden

We manage the application process and screening checks to only send you the most appropriate candidates to review, based on your requirements. We only accept applications that meet our eligibility criteria, which includes ensuring applicants have overall averages of above 60%.

4. Additional support to develop skills from the UKESF

In addition to the work experience that you provide a Scholar, the UKESF provides wrap around support. We curate a Scholarship community, helping undergraduates to build their network, as well as provide opportunities for skills development and outreach.

 

5. Increased industry retention

Through early engagement and supporting students’ development beyond their studies, they are more likely to be retained in the sector and be prepared for the workplace.

92% of our Scholars who have completed their studies go on to work in the Electronics and Technology sector.

6. Cost effective recruitment

Our fees are benchmarked to ensure they are significantly lower than standard recruitment fees, and our charitable status means that we don’t make a profit. Any surplus contributes towards our outreach and engagement work to increase the number of young people pursuing Electronics.

Find out more

Scholarship Brochure

Download the 2024/25 Employer Brochure

Read more

Employer Survey

Read feedback from our employer survey

Read more

Blog

Efficiency, collaboration and skills development: Why companies choose the UKESF

Read more

Get involved in the UKESF Scholarship Scheme

By bringing a placement student into your organisation, you can benefit from new innovative ideas, and the opportunity to get to know an undergraduate prior to graduate recruitment.

Scholarship providers are responsible for:

  • Paying a bursary for your scholar for each year of the scholarship
  • Organising at one least one paid summer work placement for your scholar
  • Providing your scholar with a company mentor
  • Covering the cost for your scholar to attend a UKESF Professional Development Course (previously known as the UKESF Scholars’ Workshop)

And, if relevant – offering an additional paid work placement of 6–12 months for students on certain degree courses

If you would like to offer one, or more, Scholarships to undergraduates at our 29 Partner Universities, get in touch with us by email at [email protected].

What Employers say about the Scheme

“The UKESF is great because we don’t have to go anywhere near graduate recruitment centres, which can be a horrendous experience! The UKESF reaches out to everyone on our behalf and broadens access to universities. It attracts the best students, which is what we need, and past scholars are great to attract new students.”

“We have seen many excellent students through the UKESF Scholarship Scheme, which is why we continue to support the UKESF programme and we look forward to our next cohort of scholars.”

“We are really pleased to be a part of the UKESF and it is a great service. If you haven’t got a lot of experience in attracting graduates, UKESF should be the first place you go.”