EY Foundation Smart Futures 2026/27 | Paid Work Experience, Training and Mentoring for Young People in the UK

The EY Foundation Smart Futures programme is a career development opportunity designed to help young people gain practical experience of the workplace, develop employability skills and receive professional mentoring before they leave school.

The programme combines paid work experience, interactive employability skills training and business mentoring, with opportunities across different sectors and locations in the UK. The EY Foundation currently lists 2026/27 Smart Futures programmes as open for applications, with programmes available in locations including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Bradford, Newcastle and Aberdeen, among others.

Unlike a traditional work-experience placement, Smart Futures combines workplace exposure with structured training and mentoring. Participants can explore different industries, develop transferable skills, build professional networks and receive guidance as they consider their next steps into employment or higher education.

About the Smart Futures Programme

Smart Futures is an EY Foundation programme for young people in Year 12 in England or S5 in Scotland.

Participants receive paid work experience with employer partners, employability skills training and support from a business mentor. The programme is designed to help young people understand the world of work and develop skills that can support their transition into employment, apprenticeships or university.

The EY Foundation describes its wider programme offer as supporting young people with paid employability training and work experience, alongside mentoring and, where needed, support with travel costs.

What Does Smart Futures Offer?

Successful participants can benefit from several components throughout the programme.

1. Paid Work Experience

Participants receive real-world experience with one of the programme’s employer partners.

This provides an opportunity to experience a professional working environment, understand workplace expectations and gain practical knowledge that can strengthen future applications for jobs, apprenticeships or university.

The work experience can also help participants understand what different careers are actually like before making important decisions about their future.

2. Employability Skills Training

The programme includes up to two weeks of employability skills training and interactive workshops.

Training can include activities designed to develop:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Confidence
• Networking
• Workplace awareness
• Professional skills
• Career planning
• Understanding of different industries and organisations

Participants also have opportunities to meet other young people taking part in Smart Futures.

3. Business Mentoring

Participants receive support from a business mentor who can help them understand their options and prepare for the transition into professional working life or higher education.

Mentoring can provide guidance around career decisions, workplace expectations and the first steps towards a future career.

4. Alumni and Networking Opportunities

Participants can also be invited to alumni events through the EY Foundation’s Limitless Series during their final year at school or college.

The programme provides opportunities to practise networking and build connections with professionals and other young people.

Smart Futures Career Areas

One of the major strengths of Smart Futures is the range of career-focused programmes available.

The programme is not limited to students who already know exactly what career they want. The EY Foundation states that its different programmes can provide workplace experience and transferable skills even for young people who are still exploring their options.

Some of the programme areas include:

Smart Futures Business and Finance

Sector: Professional Services

This programme is aimed at young people interested in careers such as accounting, consulting and other professional services.

It is particularly relevant to students considering a high-level or degree apprenticeship after school or college.

Secure Futures

Sector: Security

Secure Futures introduces participants to careers within the security sector, including work connected to keeping people safe online, in workplaces, homes and public spaces.

Tech Futures

Sector: Technology

Tech Futures provides exposure to the technology and digital sector.

Participants can gain insight into technological careers while receiving work experience and mentorship from professionals working on digital developments.

Smart Futures Banking and Finance

Sector: Banking

This programme introduces participants to different careers within banking and finance.

Areas covered can include:

• Branch banking
• Technology
• Sustainability
• Marketing
• Risk
• Relationship management

Smart Futures Business and Technology

Sectors: Professional Services, Finance and Technology

This programme is designed for young people interested in exploring career opportunities across professional services, finance and technology.

Impactful Futures

Sector: Charity

Impactful Futures provides young people with an opportunity to explore careers in the charity sector and understand the range of professional roles that contribute to positive social change.

STEM Futures

Sectors: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

STEM Futures provides insight into careers connected to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Data Driven Futures

Sectors: Data, Business Analysis and Risk

This programme introduces young people to data-focused careers, including the work of actuaries and professionals who use mathematics, data and risk analysis to help organisations make informed decisions.

Private Equity Futures

Sector: Private Equity

Private Equity Futures provides an introduction to the private equity sector and the role investment can play in supporting business growth and innovation.

Real Estate Futures

Sector: Real Estate

Real Estate Futures introduces participants to the property sector and careers connected with the development and management of buildings, communities and cities.

2026/27 Smart Futures Programme Dates and Locations

The current EY Foundation application page lists multiple 2026/27 programmes as open, with dates varying according to location and programme. Examples include:

Programme	Location	Programme dates
Smart Futures Business & Technology	North West – Manchester/Liverpool	23 Nov–2 Dec 2026
Smart Futures Business & Technology	Bradford	15–24 Feb 2027
Impactful Futures	North West – Manchester/Liverpool	15–24 Feb 2027
Smart Futures Business & Technology	Birmingham	30 Nov–9 Dec 2026
Smart Futures Business & Technology	Aberdeen	12–21 Oct 2026
Smart Futures Business & Finance	Glasgow	7–16 Jun 2027
Smart Futures Business & Technology	London	15–24 Feb 2027
Smart Futures Banking & Finance	London	30 Mar–8 Apr 2027
Tech Futures	London	1–4 Jun and 26 Jul 2027
Real Estate Futures	London	1–4 Jun and 2–5 Aug 2027
Private Equity Futures	London	26 Jul–4 Aug 2027

The EY Foundation notes that applicants must be based in the relevant delivery location for the programme they select. The full list of programmes, locations and dates is available on the official application page.

Who Can Apply?

The Smart Futures eligibility criteria are designed specifically for young people who may face financial or socioeconomic barriers to accessing professional work experience.

Applicants must meet the following requirements.

Financial Eligibility

Applicants must either:

• Have been eligible for Free School Meals at any time during the previous two years, or
• Be eligible for a college bursary or Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).

Age and Education

Applicants must also:

• Be in Year 12 in England or Fifth Year (S5) in Scotland.
• Be 16 or 17 years old during the programme.
• Attend a state school.
• Be studying an eligible combination of qualifications, including A-levels, International Baccalaureate, BTEC Level 3s, National 5s or Highers.
• Have achieved at least Grade 4 in English Language or English Functional Skills Level 2, subject to programme-specific exceptions.

Applicants should also be ambitious and motivated to learn about the world of work and interested in gaining paid work experience that could support their future employment or university plans.

Additional Requirements for Business and Finance

The Smart Futures Business and Finance programme has additional academic requirements.

Applicants must have:

• At least Grade 6 in GCSE Maths for London-based programmes.
• At least Grade 5 in GCSE Maths for other locations.
• Be on track to achieve 112 UCAS points from their top three A Levels or five Highers.
• Have a strong interest in applying for a high-level or degree apprenticeship after school or college.

The EY Foundation also states that there is no GCSE English Language or English Functional Skills requirement for relevant North/Newcastle-based Smart Futures programmes for applicants living in Newcastle.

Does Your Subject of Study Matter?

For most Smart Futures programmes, applicants do not need to be studying business-related subjects.

The programme is designed to give young people exposure to different industries and transferable skills, meaning students from different academic backgrounds can apply if they meet the relevant eligibility requirements.

However, individual programmes such as Business and Finance can have additional qualification requirements, so applicants should always check the requirements for their chosen programme.

How to Apply

The current application process involves two main stages.

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

Applicants first need to register and complete a short online application form.

The EY Foundation recommends using a personal email address rather than a school email address where possible.

Applicants will select their preferred programme and location and provide information about their background and circumstances.

The Foundation states that most Smart Futures programmes do not depend on previous work experience, grades or qualifications beyond the specific eligibility requirements.

Step 2: Telephone Interview

Applicants who successfully progress from the initial application will be invited to a short telephone interview.

The interview can take up to 30 minutes.

Candidates may be asked about:

• Their experiences
• Their strengths
• Their motivations
• Their future aspirations
• Examples from school or home life

The interview is intended to help the EY Foundation understand each applicant’s individual strengths and motivation for joining Smart Futures.

Application Deadline

There is no single overall deadline stated for all Smart Futures 2026/27 programmes on the current application page.

Instead, applications are listed according to individual programme dates and locations, with several 2026/27 programmes currently marked Open. Applicants should therefore check the specific programme they want to join and apply as early as possible.

How to Choose the Right Smart Futures Programme

Applicants should consider their career interests when selecting a programme.

For example:

• Interested in technology and digital careers? Consider Tech Futures or Business & Technology.
• Interested in banking and finance? Consider Banking & Finance.
• Interested in accounting or consulting? Consider Business and Finance.
• Interested in STEM careers? Consider STEM Futures.
• Interested in investment? Consider Private Equity Futures.
• Interested in property and urban development? Consider Real Estate Futures.
• Interested in charities and social impact? Consider Impactful Futures.
• Interested in data, mathematics and risk? Consider Data Driven Futures.

You do not necessarily need to have your entire career mapped out before applying. The programme is also designed to help young people explore different professional environments and develop transferable skills.

Evidence of Programme Impact

The EY Foundation reports that 96% of young people surveyed said they were extremely or very confident that the support they received would help them get a job after education.

The Foundation also reports that 99% of respondents rated Smart Futures as Good or Excellent after taking part. These figures were based on 284 respondents.

How to Apply for Smart Futures

Young people interested in the programme should review the available 2026/27 programme dates and locations and select a programme for which they meet the eligibility requirements.

The official EY Foundation application page contains the current programme schedule and application process.

Apply here:
EY Foundation Smart Futures – How to Apply

Conclusion

The EY Foundation Smart Futures programme provides eligible young people with an opportunity to gain paid work experience, develop workplace skills, receive professional mentoring and explore different career sectors.

With programmes covering areas such as technology, banking, finance, professional services, STEM, data, private equity, real estate, security and charity work, participants can choose an opportunity aligned with their interests while gaining practical exposure to the world of work.

The 2026/27 programme cycle is currently open, with different dates and locations available across the UK. Because individual programmes have different schedules and locations, prospective applicants should check the official application page carefully and submit an application for a suitable programme.

Discover more opportunities on the OFY Webpage.