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Online Engineering Taster Programme

Thinking Ahead

Thinking

Ahead

Applications for October 2025 are now closed.

Applications will re-open in the new year.

Application are 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).

Dates

20 October – 7 November 2025

Schedule

Approximately 4 hours per week

Project Background

In a world facing mounting waste and declining product lifespans, access to repair services is essential to support a circular economy. However, many communities lack the tools, knowledge, or space to carry out basic repairs.

Industry Partner

The National Physics Lab (NPL)

Project Title

Repair Hub-in-a-Box: Empowering Communities Through Mobile Repair Stations.

Cost

You must be aged 16 or over. You’ll also need to have access to the internet.

Platform

Thinking Ahead is completely free!

Design Challenge

Design and prototype a portable “Repair Hub-in-a-Box” that can be deployed in schools, community centres, libraries, festivals, or markets.

Applications for October 2025 are now closed

Applications are closed

Apply

Submit your application by 12 October 2025.

Apply for Thinking Ahead

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 ASU London team and attend professional masterclasses to learn more about the world of engineering and to help you with the challenge.

ASU Students
UNL_ASU_Students 06

Elevate your future

At the end of the programme, you’ll submit your project as a presentation. The ASU 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 ASU London to help them stand out in future opportunities.

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

Reasons you'll love Thinking Ahead

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 ASU 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

Financial report and statements (for the accounting period ending 31 July 2021)

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

Launching our new Global Design Engineering study options
Union

“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
Rating Stars

Apply now

Applications for October 2025 are now closed

Applications are closed

See previous winning projects

Thinking ahead winners

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