TechFirst Scholarship Scheme

Undergraduate Scholarship for students applying for, or expect to secure, a place on a full-time undergraduate degree or integrated Master’s programme at a UK university,  expecting to begin your university course in September 2027.

Description  

TechFirst is the government’s flagship technology skills programme. It creates pathways into the UK’s growing digital and technology sector and supports opportunities across all parts of the UK.

Build your future with TechFirst
We’re looking for curious, motivated people who enjoy learning, solving problems and exploring how technology could improve the world around them. You may already have an idea of where your interest in technology could take you. Or you may only be starting to connect your strengths and interests with the opportunities available.

The TechFirst Undergraduate Scholarship and Development Programme can help you make that connection and take it further.

The opportunity
The programme combines financial support with practical experience, mentoring, professional development and access to people working across industry and government, helping you to develop south-after skills while working towards your degree.

You’ll have opportunities to explore six frontier technologies that are already helping to protect public services, connect people and places, improve healthcare, develop cleaner materials and power almost every electronic device we use. They are:
•    Advanced Connectivity Technologies
•    Artificial Intelligence
•    Cyber Security
•    Engineering Biology
•    Quantum
•    Semiconductors

What you’ll experience
As a TechFirst Undergraduate Scholar, you’ll join a national community of students interested in building the future through technology.

Alongside your university studies, you’ll have opportunities to:
•    gain practical experience through summer development or work placements
•    learn from mentors and people working across the technology sector
•    develop professional and technical skills
•    build connections across industry and government
•    attend events, conferences and networking activities
•    explore future opportunities in employment, research and technology

The programme is designed to help you turn your existing potential into skills, experience and progress.

What you’ll receive
•    £4,000 a year during full-time study at a UK university, for up to four years, excluding time spent on an industrial placement
•    development or work placements, typically lasting around eight weeks, each summer until graduation
•    additional financial support to help you participate in placements
•    support to secure a year-in-industry placement if your course requires one
•    career guidance, training, mentoring and professional development throughout your studies
•    access to the TechFirst community, including events, conferences, networking and skills-development activities

The programme does not guarantee employment after graduation. It provides experience, development and professional connections to help you prepare for employment, research or other technology-related opportunities.

Who can apply
You must:
•    have a strong interest in a future career in digital and technology or in at least one of the six frontier technology areas
•    qualify to pay UK Home Student university tuition, for more information click here
•    be willing to undergo Security Check clearance in future if required for a particular placement or programme activity

Security clearance is only expected to be necessary for students undertaking work connected with national security or requiring access to sensitive government information.

If you’re applying before university
You must:
•    expect to achieve at least 120 UCAS tariff points over a maximum period of two years before you start a degree course
•    be applying for, or expect to secure, a place on a full-time undergraduate degree or integrated Master’s programme at a UK university
•    expect to begin your university course in September 2027

Your degree can be in any subject, unless you are applying for the Semiconductor Pathway.

If you’re already at university
You must:
•    be studying a full-time undergraduate degree or integrated Master’s programme at a UK university
•    be on track to achieve at least a 2:1 at the end of your degree
•    have at least two years of full-time study remaining, excluding any year in industry or abroad

The Semiconductor Pathway
Semiconductors are the chips inside smartphones, AI systems, medical equipment, electric vehicles and almost every electronic device.

The Semiconductor Pathway is a dedicated strand of the programme for students interested in helping shape the future of the UK's semiconductor industry.

Alongside the main TechFirst Undergraduate Scholarship offer, scholars on this pathway will have access to tailored development opportunities, industry engagement and networking within the UK semiconductor sector.

To be eligible, you must meet the general scholarship criteria and study, or plan to study:
•    Electrical and Electronic Engineering
•    Physics
•    Materials Science
•    Computer Science

Other (e.g. Chemistry)

Degree titles and course content vary, so we’ll review course choices individually to confirm that they contain enough semiconductor-related content. Further guidance will be available during the application process.

What we’re looking for
During the selection process, we’ll look for evidence of:
•    curiosity and enthusiasm for technology
•    problem-solving and analytical thinking
•    motivation to learn and develop
•    communication and teamwork
•    resilience and personal drive
•    potential to contribute to the UK’s future digital and technology workforce

Above all, we want to see if you’ve got potential. You do not need to have worked in technology, completed specialist technology programmes or developed advanced coding skills. Your examples can come from your studies, employment, volunteering, personal projects, responsibilities or wider interests.

Register your interest 

You can now register your interest in the programme. If you register, we will: 

•    tell you when applications open 
•    send you programme updates 
•    tell you about online events and support sessions, including guidance on preparing for the recruitment process 

Registering your interest is not an application. When applications open in November, you will need to complete a full application. This will involve interactive learning activities, a technical aptitude assessment, and an interview - further information will be available soon.  

Register now

Please note that the TechFirst Undergraduate Scholarship, including the Semiconductor Pathway, cannot be held alongside certain other UK government scholarships, studentships, awards or bursaries. Full details will be provided during the application process.

For more information about the programme or application process, email: TechFirstScholarship@Penna.com