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Smart Futures: How to Apply


The Smart Futures programme has had a massive impact on me. You meet some amazing people along the way, you meet wonderful professionals and you also meet other young people who are in the same boat as you.

Why should I apply for the Smart Futures programme?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to apply for our Smart Futures programme. The process itself is straightforward and it will provide you with quality paid employability skills training, work experience and your own business mentor.

What will I need to apply?

There are two main steps to the application process. The first is an online application form , which you can access by clicking the ‘Apply now’ button below. The second is a short telephone interview.

Step 1 – Online application form

You will be asked to register with us, so you will need an email address to do this (please use your personal email address and not your school one if possible!)

The form itself is short with answers to choose from. You do not have to write lots about your experience or background. You will be asked to choose which programme you would like to apply for, so make sure you have read through the different options on the Smart Futures page and have chosen a programme in a location near you. You will be asked a bit about your background, including some information about your parents/guardians, but remember that most of our Smart Futures programmes do not depend on previous work experience, grades or qualifications.

Please note for places on our Smart Futures Business and Finance programme there are some qualification related criteria e.g. a C/equivalent grade in GCSE English Language, a C/equivalent in GCSE Maths and to be on track for 112 UCAS points with their top 3 A Levels/5 Highers

Step 2 - Telephone interview

If your initial application is successful, you will be asked to take part in a short telephone interview that will take up to 30 minutes.

The interviewer will ask questions about your experiences. You can take examples from your school or home life, as well as sharing your future aspirations. The call is designed to help us get to know your individual strengths and motivations for applying to the Smart Futures programme. We want to get to know you, so relax and be yourself.

If you need technical support at any point across the selection process, you can contact us at eyfoundationrecruitment@uk.ey.com

Please note, ensure you apply for a programme relevant to your home address. You must live within the locations specified e.g., if you choose a London programme you must live within the London region.

North England:

Programme Name (including sector focus):

Location:

Dates:

Open or Closed to Applications:

Smart Futures Business & Technology

Manchester

25th Nov to 29th Nov and 2nd Dec to 4th Dec 2024

*Term time – candidates will need permission from school/college if offered a place

Closed

Smart Futures Business & Technology

Bradford

17th Feb to 21st Feb and 24th Feb to 26th Feb 2025*Half term (5 days) and Term time (3 days) – candidates will need permission from school/college if offered a place

Open

Impactful Futures (charity sector)

Manchester & Liverpool

 

17th Feb to 21st Feb and 24th Feb to 26th Feb 2025*Half term (5 days) and Term time (3 days) – candidates will need permission from school/college if offered a place

 

 

Closed

Smart Futures Business & Technology

Newcastle

14th April to 17th April and
22nd April to 25th April 2025

Open

Smart Futures Business & Finance

North West England (Greater Manchester, Liverpool, and Leeds)

7th April to 11th April and
14th April to 16th April 2025

Open

STEM Futures

Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Bradford 

27th May to 30th May and
28th July to 31st July 2025

Closed

Smart Futures Business & Finance

Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Bradford 

4th August to 13th August 2025 (Virtual)

Open

Secure Futures

Manchester

7th April to 16th April 2025

Open

Tech Futures

Manchester

7th April to 11th April and 14th April to 16th April 2025

Open

Midlands:

Programme Name (including sector focus):

Location:

Dates:

Open or Closed to Applications:

Impactful Futures (charity sector)

Birmingham

17th Feb to 21st Feb and 24th Feb to 26th Feb 2025*Half term (5 days) and Term time (3 days) – candidates will need permission from school/college if offered a place

Open

Smart Futures Business & Technology

Birmingham

14th April to 17th April and
22nd April to 25th April 2025

Closed

STEM Futures

Birmingham

27th to 30th May and
28th to 31st July 2025

Open

Smart Futures Business & Finance

Birmingham

11th to 21st August 2025

Open

Smart Futures - University of Warwick

Conventry, Birmingham

14th April to 25th April 2025

Open

Scotland:

Programme Name (including sector focus):

Location:

Dates:

Open or Closed to Applications:

Smart Futures Business and Finance

Glasgow

9th to 18th June 2025

Open

Smart Futures Business & Sustainability

Edinburgh &
Surrounding Areas

7th to 10th April
and 16th to 19th June 2025

Closed

Data Driven Futures

Edinburgh & Surrounding Areas

14th to 23rd July 2025

Open

Smart Futures Banking & Finance

Edinburgh & Surrounding Areas

28th July to 6th August 2025

Open

South England:

Programme Name (including sector focus):

Location:

Dates:

Open or Closed to Applications:

Smart Futures Business & Technology

London

2nd Dec to 11th Dec 2024*Term time – candidates will need permission from school/college if offered a place

Closed

Smart Futures Business & Finance

London

17th to 26th Feb 2025*Half term (5 days) and Term time (3 days) – candidates will need permission from school/college if offered a place

Closed

Impactful Futures (charity sector)

London

17th to 26th Feb 2025*Half term (5 days) and Term time (3 days) – candidates will need permission from school/college if offered a place

Closed

Smart Futures Business & Finance

London

7th to 16th April 2025

Closed

Tech Futures

London

7th to 16th April 2025

Closed

Smart Futures Business & Technology - Haberdashers

London (Haberdashers schools ONLY)

7th to 16th April 2025

Open to Haberdashers students

STEM Futures

London

27th to 30th May and
21st July to 24th July 2025

Closed

Smart Futures Business & Finance

London

28th July to 6th August 2025

Closed

Smart Futures Business & Finance

London

11th to 21st August 2025

Open

Chartered Banker Institute Futures

London

7th to 16th April 2025

Closed

Wealth and Asset Management Futures

London

7th to 16th April 2025

Closed

Smart Futures Business & Technology

Reading

27th to 30th May and 28th to 31st July 2025

Open

Smart Futures Business & Technology

Luton

27th May to 30th May and 4th August to 7th August 2025

Open

Data Driven Futures: Actuaries

London

27th May to 30th May and 21st July to 24th July 2025

Open

Real Estate Futures

London

27th May to 30th May and 4th August to 7th August 2025

Open

Private Equity Futures

London

4th August to 13th August 2025

Open

National:

Programme Name (including sector focus):

Location:

Dates:

Open or Closed to Applications:

Smart Futures Business & Technology

Sheffield,Wolverhampton

,kirklees,and Crawley

27th May to 30th May and 4th August to 7th August 2025

Open

Chartered Banker Institute Futures

Durham, Bristol, Birmingham

14th April to 25th April 2025

Open


Know which programme you're applying for? Click the button below to start your application.

smart futures

Find out more

Download the Smart Futures brochure for further detail on the programme