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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. 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. Candidates also need to have a strong interest in applying for a high level/degree apprenticeship at the end of school/college.

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.

Smart Futures Programmes

North

Term Time Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

STEM Futures

North West (Manchester/Liverpool)

27 October to 5 November 2025

Open

Business & Technology

Manchester

24 November to 3 December 2025

Open

February Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Technology

Bradford

16 February to 25 February 2026

Open

Impactful Futures

North West (Manchester / Liverpool)

16 February to 25 February 2026

Open

Easter Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Finance

North West (Manchester / Liverpool)

7 April to 16 April 2026

Open

Business & Technology

North - Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Bradford (Virtual)

7 April to 16 April 2026

Open

Spring Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

STEM Futures

North - Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Bradford (Virtual)

26 May to 29 May and 27 July to 30 July 2026

Open

Summer Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Finance

North - Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Bradford (Virtual)

3 August to 12 August 2026

Open

Scotland

Term Time Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Impactful Futures

Aberdeen

13 October to 22 October 2025

Open

Summer Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Finance

Glasgow

8 June to 17 June 2026

Open

Business & Finance

Edinburgh

15 June to 24 June 2026

Open

South

Term Time Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Technology

London

27 October to 5 November 2025

Open

Business & Technology

London

1 December to 10 December 2025

Open

February Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Finance

London

16 February to 25 February 2026

Open

Impactful Futures

London

16 February to 25 February 2026

Open

Easter Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Finance

London

30 March to 10 April 2026

Open

Business & Technology

London

30 March to 10 April 2026

Open

Banking & Finance

London

30 March to 10 April 2026

Open

Spring Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Technology

Reading

26 May to 29 May and 27 July to 30 July 2026

Open

Business & Technology

Luton

26 May to 29 May and 27 July to 30 July 2026

Open

Tech Futures

London

26 May to 29 May and 27 July to 30 July 2026

Open

Real Estate Futures

London

26 May to 29 May and 27 July to 30 July 2026

Open

Data Driven Futures

London

26 May to 29 May and 27 July to 30 July 2026

Open

Summer Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Finance

London

27 July to 5 August 2026

Open

Private Equity Futures

London

3 August to 12 August 2026

Open

Business & Finance

London

10 August to 20 August 2026

Open

Midlands

Term Time Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Technology

Birmingham

1 December to 10 December 2025

Open

February Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Impactful Futures

Birmingham

16 February to 25 February 2026

Open

Spring Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

STEM Futures

Birmingham

26 May to 29 May and 28 July to 31 July 2026

Open

Summer Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Finance

Birmingham

10 August to 20 August 2026

Open

National

Term Time Programmes

Programme

Location

Dates

Application Status

Business & Technology

National (live in either Sheffield, Wolverhampton, Crawley, Southampton, Bristol or Cambridge)

26 May to 29 May and 27 July to 30 July 2026

Open


Still wondering what other programmes we offer? Click the button below for an overview of all EY Foundation programmes.

smart futures

Find out more

Download the Smart Futures brochure for further detail on the programme