Scholarships

I am extremely grateful to have been a UKNEST scholar. My mentor has been an invaluable source of information throughout the year and has supported me through any queries or uncertainties I was having about life in industry. The member meeting and dinner in Bristol was insightful and a great opportunity to meet like-minded people. I hope to maintain a relationship with UKNEST with a view to giving back to the organisation in the future."

Rory Dick

UKNEST Scholar 22/23

The UKNEST scholarship has proven invaluable in my personal and professional
development. It has given me the mobility to complete an internship in AI & Robotics this
summer where I will explore my passion for machine learning in a professional context. The
scholarship funding has also given me the opportunity to work with an overseas NGO in
developing sustainable energy solutions in Peru - an area which I am passionate about. The
mentoring and buddy scheme has been insightful and motivating and has helped me find a
role in the defence sector where I can apply my interests. Thank you UKNEST for all your
support!

Alex Callens

UKNEST Scholar 22/23

Receiving the UKNEST scholarship has been a great privilege. Its generous funding has alleviated the financial obstacles I encountered in pursuing cyber security certifications, while the invaluable mentorship and insights shared by my mentors have made a huge impact on my professional development.

I strongly encourage you to apply and see what happens!

Tom Ely-Corbett

UKNEST Scholar 22/23

I am immensely grateful for the support I have received as it has been instrumental in shaping my academic journey and opening doors to unique experiences. The funding allowed me to fully immerse myself in my studies and extracurricular commitments, maximizing my academic potential. The unique insights from my mentor and mentee showed me the opportunities young engineers have in meeting the challenges faced by the naval industry. Moreover, recognition from the scholarship aided me in securing a prestigious fully funded research internship in Canada, focusing on machine learning and water engineering. A memorable experience was attending the annual general meeting at Frazer-Nash. This enriched my knowledge of innovative naval defence technologies and facilitated valuable networking with industry leaders.

Nehla Farhan

UKNEST Scholar 22/23

I was fortunate enough to receive a UKNEST scholarship during the final year of my Computer Science Bachelor's degree at the University of Edinburgh. Alongside the generous financial support, the mentorship and support I received from both my Mentor at Lockheed Martin and my Buddy at BAE Systems Submarines was superb. I gained fantastic insights into the naval and military industries, all while being supported for the costs of all of my Master's applications! I would highly recommend applying!

Matthew Timmons-Brown

UKNEST Scholar 21/22

I would like to thank the team at UKNEST and all its participants for the opportunity and support afforded to me this year. I have been able to make great use of the facilities afforded to me and that UKNEST has had a profound impact on my career path to come.

Jake Richardson

UKNEST Scholar 21/22

The UKNEST Scholarship Programme has been an unbelievable opportunity to advance my career in the naval sector. The funding has allowed me to focus on obtaining the best possible academic grades whilst my mentors have helped me explore the different jobs suited to my interests. I would highly recommend all students to apply!

Jasmin Brittan

UKNEST Scholar 21/22

As a UKNEST Scholar, I have had access to a host of opportunities that have enabled me to grow academically and beyond this year. The funding that accompanies the programme has given me the chance to complete an exciting 12-week internship in thermofluids this summer, giving me some practical experience of working on a long-term project that complements the theoretical nature of my degree. I have also benefited greatly from the advice and unique perspectives that both my mentor and buddy have been able to offer. I would highly recommend this scholarship to anyone considering naval engineering because it is a great way to gain some insight to the sector, understand where this industry is heading and how you can contribute and make real change early in your career.

Farheen Muhammed

UKNEST Scholar 21/22

Having the privilege of being a UKNEST scholar has enabled me to gain further knowledge and contacts in the defence industry through both my buddy and mentor. I have also had the opportunity to go on two site visits and engage with other engineers, both site visits were very interesting and insightful.

James Fletcher

UKNEST Scholar 21/22

I feel very privileged to have been a UKNEST scholar over the last year. This experience has taught me a lot; from how to master LinkedIn, to technical details about the naval defence sector. It has also provided me with incredible opportunities. The annual meeting was a great place to network with both one another, and company representatives and I came away with some great contacts and offers of site tours. My mentor was also very supportive, helping me learn about the industry, offering sight tours and contacts within the company he worked. Furthermore, the funding has allowed me to sign up for some conferences, and I plan to take a coding course over the summer to assist my start within a graduate role in the sector. Coming from a mathematics background, I haven't always felt confident in applying for engineering based roles/scholarships, however everyone in UKNEST was very encouraging and my confidence has definitely increased. If you are considering applying, I would definitely recommend you do, no matter what academic background you are from, it is a fantastic opportunity to further your career in naval defence.

Fleur Dutton

UKNEST Scholar 23/24

I am really grateful for the support I have received from UKNEST over the past year. It has allowed me to explore new areas of robotics and find out more about the naval engineering sector, in particularly enabling me to buy new equipment that makes doing CAD a lot easier! I would encourage others to get involved, the application process and interviews were actually really interesting so there is nothing to lose!

Kate Lucas

UKNEST Scholar 23/24

The UKNEST scholarship scheme has been an invaluable experience, deepening my interest in the naval sector, expanding my professional network, and providing financial support to develop essential skills for my future career. The scholarship bursary enabled me to upgrade my laptop, significantly enhancing my productivity with demanding engineering software such as MATLAB and Vivado. Mentorship from Chloe offered unique insights into autonomous maritime systems, broadening my understanding beyond my previous internship at BAE and motivating me to consider opportunities with BMT after graduation. I am very grateful to Matt, Chloe, and the entire UKNEST team for making this such a positive and enriching experience.

Ross Cathcart

UKNEST Scholar 23/24