The Software Engineering Undergraduate of the Year Award

Are you the Software Engineering Undergraduate of the Year?

We’re searching UK universities to find the Software Engineering Undergraduate of the Year! Software engineering is about more than writing code. It’s about understanding a problem, exploring different approaches, collaborating with others and turning ideas into solutions that make a genuine difference. You don’t need to be a technical expert or have everything figured out. We’re interested in what you’ve already explored, whether that’s building a project, developing a feature, solving a technical problem or teaching yourself something new, and how you learn, adapt and improve along the way.

Enter if you are:

  • A current undergraduate student at a university in the UK
  • Studying a Software Engineering, or Electronic Engineering related degree
  • In your second or penultimate year of your degree
  • Be able to accept the prize of a summer internship that will take place in Edinburgh, Glasgow or London
Prizes

What could you win?

Win a paid Skyscanner 12-week internship in Edinburgh, Glasgow or London!

Spend your summer working on real challenges, making an impact and learning alongside talented people shaping the future of travel. You’ll also get one-to-one networking and mentoring with senior leaders, lunch with a member of Skyscanner’s C-suite and £500 towards your next travel adventure.

Apply now
what it takes

What makes an award winner?

A Software Engineering Undergraduate of the Year issomeone who combines technical curiosity with a genuine desire to solveproblems and make things better. They don’t just focus on getting to the answer– they’re interested in understanding the problem, considering differentapproaches and learning along the way.

You don’t need to be the most experienced coder in theroom. We’re looking for potential: how you think, how you approach challengesand how you work with others to turn ideas into practical solutions.

The Software Engineering Undergraduate of the Year will:

  • Be curious and motivated to keep learning
  • Approach problems thoughtfully and creatively
  • Break down complex challenges and explore differentsolutions
  • Collaborate well and value different perspectives
  • Be comfortable asking questions, seeking feedback anditerating
  • Take ownership while knowing when to ask for support
  • Learn from setbacks and adapt their approach
  • Bring fresh ideas and look for opportunities toimprove how things are done
  • Show enthusiasm for using technology to make ameaningful difference

Our winner will show the potential to become athoughtful and impactful software engineer, someone who is curious about howthings work, excited to keep learning and motivated to use technology to solveproblems that matter.

Previous finalists have gone on to join us as interns and make a real impact. They’ve:

  • Shipped real code and contributed to products andexperiences used by travellers
  • Helped solve technical challenges that improved howour products and systems work
  • Worked alongside engineers, designers and other teamsto turn complex problems into practical solutions
  • Taken ownership of meaningful work and seen theircontributions make an impact beyond their immediate team
  • Brought fresh perspectives and helped improve how webuild for travellers
Apply now

FROM OUR PARTNER

Skyscanner and the Software Engineering Undergraduate of the Year Award

Skyscanner and the Software Engineering Undergraduate of the Year

Travel is constantly evolving. From how people discover new destinations and find better value, to changing expectations around how we search, plan and booktrips, there are always new problems to solve and opportunities to make the traveller experience better.

We’re looking for curious students who are excited by those challenges and interested in how technology can help solve them. What would you improve for travellers? What could work better, faster or more simply, and how could you help build it? Travel is constantly evolving. From how people discover new destinations and findbetter value, to changing expectations around how we search, plan and book trips, there are always new problems to solve and opportunities to make the traveller experience better. We’re looking for curious students who are excited by those challenges and interested in how technology can help solve them. What would you improve for travellers? What could work better, faster or more simply, and how could you help build it?

More about Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a globaltravel tech company on a mission to make travel planning and booking better foreveryone. We’re a worldwide team of 1,600+ passionate people across nineoffices, united by our love of travel and belief in the power of technology tomake a difference.

We’re proud of our positive, inclusive culture, where people are encouraged to be themselves,share ideas, learn from one another and grow. From Engineering, Product and Business to Marketing and Design, we bring together diverse skills,perspectives and cultures to create better experiences for travellers everywhere.

We’re not interested in doing things the same old way. We’re curious, collaborative and open to newideas, and we’re not afraid to try, learn and improve along the way. That’s what makes Skyscanner the Real Deal: a place where people can do their best work,make a genuine impact and build careers that are as individual as they are.

Our emerging talent programmes are designed to help students and graduates learn, grow and make areal difference at Skyscanner. Through hands-on experience, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues, contribute to meaningful projects and develop skills in your chosen area. You’ll be supported by mentors, line managers,buddies and our emerging talent community, as well as taking part in bite-sized development sessions to build your confidence and employability.

Travel is about new experiences, new perspectives and lasting memories and working at Skyscanner is no different.

Find out more about Skyscanner here.

going all the way

How do I win?

Register

To apply, you’ll need to:

Register online for the Undergraduate of the Year Awards

Deadline: 12pm (midday), Monday 25 January 2027.

Extended Deadline:
25
January
2027

Online tests

Once registered you'll be invited by Skyscanner to take a coding test.

Deadline:
25
January
2027

Submit by

25

January

2027

Remember, please make sure you allow enough time to complete all three assessments before the deadline.

If you’re successful in progressing to the next stage, we’ll be in touch by 26 February 2027 with details of what happens next.

Assessment

If you successfully pass the initial application and screening stage, your application will be reviewed by Skyscanner.

From there, you could be invited to take part in networking, interviews, an assessment centre or other activities designed to help you showcase your skills and get to know Skyscanner.

Full details will be given to successful students.

Grand final

Made it to the final? Congratulations!

The final shortlisted students will be invited to join us at the Undergraduate of the Year Awards ceremony on 16 April 2027, where we’ll celebrate their achievements and reveal the winner of each award.

Could you be taking home the trophy? Good luck!

Apply now

How do I win?

Register

To apply, you’ll need to:

Register online for the Undergraduate of the Year Awards

Deadline: 12pm (midday), Monday 25 January 2027.

Extended Deadline:
25
January
2027

Online tests

Once registered you'll be invited by Skyscanner to take a coding test.

Deadline:
25
January
2027

Submit by

25

January

2027

Remember, please make sure you allow enough time to complete all three assessments before the deadline.

If you’re successful in progressing to the next stage, we’ll be in touch by 26 February 2027 with details of what happens next.

Assessment

If you successfully pass the initial application and screening stage, your application will be reviewed by Skyscanner.

From there, you could be invited to take part in networking, interviews, an assessment centre or other activities designed to help you showcase your skills and get to know Skyscanner.

Full details will be given to successful students.

Grand final

Made it to the final? Congratulations!

The final shortlisted students will be invited to join us at the Undergraduate of the Year Awards ceremony on 16 April 2027, where we’ll celebrate their achievements and reveal the winner of each award.

Could you be taking home the trophy? Good luck!

Apply now