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UK Space Agency - Mars Perseverance - Space Careers

Get an overview of space careers

Read the Careers in space leaflet

Read the UK Space Agencys Careers in space: the sky is not the limit, for an overview of:

• different careers you can pursue that are involved with space
• the skills required for a career in space
• resources available for pursuing a career in space

Watch the Principia Careers video

This short film is Astro Academys overview of the work that UK scientists and engineers are doing in the space sector, both in support of astronauts and in applications for life on Earth.

Watch career profile videos

These cover a wide range of roles in the space sector and can be viewed on the website of the UK branch of the European Space Education Resources Office (ESERO-UK), which also offers a variety of other space careers resources.

Visit the National Space Academy website

The resources on this page include career advice and tips. The National Space Academy also run career conferences.

Visit the Royal Aeronautical Society website

This page provides career guidance and opportunities.

Visit the Knowledge Transfer Network website

The tool on this website allows you to identify and locate every space related company and organisation in the UK. It will enable you to find local companies to contact to request a visit, find work experience, internships, and other opportunities.

Visit the UKSpace website

More space career information can be found on the UKSpace website here.

Visit the European Space Agency website

The European Space Agency is our biggest partner in space. Visit their website here to discover opportunities and guidance for space careers.

Find out how to become an astronaut

The main route for UK citizens to become an astronaut is through the competitive European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut selection programme. Although the most recent selection round closed for applications in June 2021, would-be astronauts can prepare now for a career in or involving space by learning more about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and by getting relevant career experience.

Get resources for children and young people

Listen to Deep Space High podcasts

Future astronauts and space specialists can listen to these short audio programmes on Fun Kids, the UKs radio station for children. They explain how nearly every subject is useful in a space career.

Try an astronauts workout

Children ages 8 to 12 can explore space-related physical and learning activities on the Mission X: Train like an astronaut website.

Match your skills to STEM careers

Girls aged 11 to 19 can take the My Skills, My Life quiz to see how their skills match up to STEM careers. Its part of a collection of resources created by Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) for getting girls interested in science and technology careers.

Find work experience

Space Careers UK

Get general advice on finding work experience in the space sector on the Space Careers UK website, created by the UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space.

RAL Space

Find out about work experience opportunities at RAL Space, sponsored by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. RAL Space is part of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.

Airbus Aerospace

Explore Springpods online Airbus Aerospace programme, which gives students the opportunity to hear from Airbus representatives about their company, its aims and values and what its like to work in aerospace.

Find an apprenticeship or internship

Reaction Engines

Reaction Engines offers apprenticeships and graduate programmes in engineering and science.

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce offers apprenticeships, internships and graduate programmes in their aerospace division.

Satellite Applications Catapults SPIN scheme

Students at UK universities can apply for a paid summer internship in the UK space industry as part of the Satellite Applications Catapults Space Placements in Industry (SPIN) scheme.

SPIN 2023

Our 2023 SPIN scheme is now open for organisations to apply for funding to support paid SPINtern positions later in the year.

More information for when and how students can apply for the internships will come soon.

Find a job in the UK space sector

The Space Careers UK website lists jobs in the UK space sector and lets you register to receive new job listings by email.