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online engineering taster programme

Thinking Ahead

Applications for October 2025 are now closed

Free Engineering Taster Programme

Thinking Ahead is our free online engineering taster programme, inviting you to learn more about the world of engineering and take part in a sustainability-themed design challenge.

You can choose to work on this challenge independently, or you can form a group with your friends (max 5 people).

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Think and create like an engineer

Over the course of three weeks, you’ll dive into the world of engineering and develop creative solutions to real-world challenges.

You’ll explore interactive and engaging engineering theory content via our online learning platform, Canvas. From problem-solving to interdisciplinary thinking, you’ll get a feel for what it is truly like to be a design engineer.

Your learning will be self-paced and flexible, requiring approximately 4 hours of your time, which you can fit around your existing schedule.

You will receive a brief and then design and present a prototype. Additionally, you will participate in workshop sessions with the TEDI-London team and attend professional masterclasses to learn more about the world of engineering and to help you with the challenge.

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Elevate your future

At the end of the programme, you’ll submit your project as a presentation. The TEDI-London team will review all submissions and shortlist the top projects to be presented to a panel of judges, who will decide the winners of Thinking Ahead.

All participants who submit their projects will receive a participation certificate – a great addition to your CV or university application.

Winners will receive a certificate of achievement and an exclusive reference from TEDI-London to help them stand out in future opportunities.

Furthermore, Thinking Ahead participants who go on to study at TEDI-London could be eligible for an award of up to £500!

  1. Reasons you'll love Thinking Ahead

    💡 You’ll put your creativity and problem-solving to the test, develop a design with sustainability and user needs in mind, and learn how to pitch your idea – all key skills for future engineers

    ⚙️ Throughout the 3 weeks there will be a variety of online talks and sessions with the TEDI-London team and industry professionals to learn more about the world of engineering

    👩‍💻 The programme is fully online for you to take part in outside of your regular studies

    📄 It’s a great experience to top-up personal statements or CVs

What our previous Thinking Ahead students had to say...

  • “I enjoyed the programme as it pushed me to view challenges from the perspective of a particular user group. This perspective opened a whole new dimension of problem-solving for me. While I’ve always been drawn to mathematical puzzles in engineering, Thinking Ahead has shown me the vital importance of real-world application.”

    Marne Thinking Ahead winner, Feb 2024

  • “Working on the physics behind my structure’s safety and functionality was very interesting, as I loved applying the theory to a real design and figuring out how to enhance it wherever possible.”

    Nikan Hoorijani Thinking Ahead best engineered solution winner 2022
  • Nikan Hoorijani

See previous winning projects