UK Space Agency opens £5,000 internships – Here’s who can apply
The UK Space Agency has launched a new internship programme, offering young people the chance to learn valuable skills working in the space sector.
Called Skills for Space, the internship programme offers 50 placements across a range of disciplines and locations.
It will run for eight weeks in July and August 2026 and will provide selected candidates with total renumeration of £5,000.
Skills for Space is aimed at undergraduates and further education students, providing them with hands-on experience of real-world projects within the UK’s space economy.
Interns could be involved in everything from analysing satellite data and supporting mission operations to contributing to spacecraft engineering and strengthening the wider space ecosystem through AI innovation.
“The space sector employs people from a variety of backgrounds in diverse roles across the whole of the country – but it is not always easy for students to realise that there are exciting opportunities open to them to follow a career in the space sector,” said Space Skills Advisory Panel Chair Ben Stern.
“This scheme will help to raise awareness of the fantastic roles available in the UK space sector and break down barriers to entry.”
“Experience shows that successful internships can be an opening to longer term employment as companies and the intern already know each other,” Stern said.
Who can apply for a Space Agency internship
Applications for the Skills for Space internship programme are now open, and successful placements will be announced in May.
Interested students can apply to join the internship on the UK Space Agency’s website.
To apply for the Space Skills internship, candidates:
- Must be 18+ and have the right to work in the UK
- Must not have participated in the pervious SPIN programme
- Must be available to attend Induction Day on 19 June, the internship period over July and August, and the Showcase Day in September 2026
The UK Space Agency says no prior technical expertise in the space sector is required, but it is looking for highly motivated candidates with strong IT and language skills, good communication, and good numeracy.
To be eligible for placement in the programme, candidates:
- Must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree in their second or third year, or must be attending a Further Education (FE) or other tertiary institution and be in their second year
- Must be continuing in full-time education from September 2026
- Must provide an academic record or transcript of their studies
- Must provide a character reference from an academic advisor or supervisor outlining their suitability
In addition to the total renumeration of £5,000, candidates who complete the intership will also have their travel and food costs covered for the Induction and Showcase Days, and they will receive a handbook to track their learning and development progress.
