1. UK Electronics Skills Foundation Scholarships for 2017/18
All You Need to Know

2. WHAT IS THE UKESF?
A charitable foundation with one aim:
“To encourage more young people to study Electronics and to pursue careers in the sector”.
Founded in 2010, principally by the Trade Association and members.
A collaborative and proactive approach to promoting Electronics.

3. UKESF SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME
“We connect the most capable Electronics students at top UK universities with leading employers.”

4. UKESF Scholarship Scheme – What?
Through UKESF companies offer scholarships that include:
Annual bursaries of £1,000 per year
Plus £200 Blackwell’s voucher in the first year
Paid summer work placements (minimum 8 weeks each year)
Professional development training and network building at UKESF Scholar’s Workshop
Opportunities to build relationships with potential employers
Industrial mentoring
Chance for longer placements (up to 12 months) with some companies

5. Scholarship Scheme in Numbers

6. Graduated Scholars
Over 360 scholarships awarded since 2012 and 173 scholars have completed their scholarships and graduated.
Around 2/3rd were offered employment by their sponsor upon graduation.
Many more scholars (83%) work for Electronics/Technology companies than average for Eng graduates (ave = 64%).
A further 12% are studying for a PhD or doing research at university.
Nearly 50% are still working for their sponsor company.

7. This is What Employers say….
“We’ve been really impressed with the quality of people coming through the UKESF.”
ARM
“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.”
Dialog Semiconductor
“The UKESF is great because it attracts the best students,” Leonardo

8. What commitments do UKESF scholars have?
You are expected to
Work for your sponsoring company for each placement listed on your scholarship offer (usually one per year)
Continue to attain at least a 2:1 (60% average) throughout your university course
Attend a UKESF Scholar Workshop
Help the UKESF to promote Electronics by volunteering and getting involved in outreach activities and participating in other events
Be willing to assist your university with promoting the UKESF Scholarship Scheme to prospective and current students
Submit an annual report to UKESF and your sponsoring company for each year of your scholarship

9. What is the Scholars Workshop?
4-day residential courses run in summer vacations at one of our partner universities
Professionally facilitated and delivered in partnership with, sponsoring companies, the IET and world-class business coaches and consultants.
Aim of the workshop:
Provide personal and professional development training to complement undergraduate degree learning
Worth 27 CPD hours towards IET professional registration
Provide an opportunity to network with other scholars and inspirational engineers from the sector

11. 2017 Workshop - Feedback
52 students out of 53 rated the Workshop either 3 (very good) or 4 (excellent)
What Scholars particularly enjoyed:
The range of presentations and activities
Well organised and facilitated
Opportunities to socialise with other students and industry professionals
Best comments….
“Enjoyable week, well organised, relevant and fun”
“It exceeded my expectations and is definitely a highlight of the UKESF Scholarship.”
“Was genuinely taken aback by the fact I learnt new skills. Expected a rerun of material I’d heard before. Excellent opportunity.”

12. NINETEEN UKESF PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

13. Eligibility for Scholarships #1
Registered at one of the 19 UKESF partner universities.
Studying on an IET accredited (or on track to be accredited) BEng or MEng degree which contains a substantial amount of Electronics or Electronic Engineering.
Have a permanent right to work in the UK:
UK National or EU Citizen
In any year of degree course, except final year
Not hold any other sponsorship/scholarship funded by a single commercial organisation.

14. Eligible for Scholarships #2
Must demonstrate high levels of academic performance
1st year students must have excellent grades at A–Level, Scottish Highers or equivalent, e.g. a minimum of
3 grade As at A-level (including Maths & Physics/Electronics)
4 grade As at SQA Highers (including Maths & Physics)
BTEC equivalent
Foundation Year – 70% overall grade score
Students beyond 1st year must be performing at minimum 2:1 degree equivalence
i.e. overall average of at least 60% for last end of year assessment
For more details see:

15. I’m not eligible this year! Can I apply next year?
Yes, if you achieve the requisite academic results.
Only the last end-of-year assessment of your degree course counts for eligibility
But you must have at least 60%
Your university entry qualifications or earlier end of year assessments no longer apply
UKESF scholarship sponsors are interested in good students showing the potential to grow
Many applicants gain their scholarship on their second, or even third attempt.

16. Sponsoring Companies 2017/18

17. New Sponsoring Companies for 2017/18

18. Choosing your preferred companies #1
Use the UKESF website to see the scholarships on offer:
A UKESF Scholarship runs from the current academic year, until you graduate.
Check the duration of scholarship each company offers.
E.g. if you’re in your penultimate year at University, you’ll need a scholarship of 2 years duration.
If you want a 12-month or MEng placement, check which companies offer that type of placement.
Check if the company has any other specific requirements.
E.g. some companies can only consider applications from British Citizens, or you must have a minimum of 5 years permanent residency in UK

19. Choosing your preferred companies #2
Research the companies that offer the duration of scholarship and length of placements you want.
Think about the type of work offered, the location and size of company.
E.g. some companies offer software/embedded systems focussed placements
Increase your chance of success, by applying to smaller companies and/or less well known companies.
Smaller companies may offer more opportunities to get involved in the wider aspects of the business.
If you fancy starting up your own business one day, look for companies offering more entrepreneurial experience.

20. Applying for Scholarships #1
Check the UKESF website to see if you are eligible to apply
To make your application stand out, read the Application Advice:
Select one company. Make sure they offer the duration and placements you need, and that you fulfil any company specific requirements.
Try to make your application specific and relevant to the company you are applying to.

21. Applying for Scholarships #2
You can apply to up to 4 companies in total.
Complete and submit your first application, before you select any other companies.
Then, when you select another company, most information will copy across from the first application.
Application Deadline 3pm Wed 25th Oct 2017

22. UKESF Contact Information
For more information on UKESF Scholarships
Visit the UKESF website at