4 routes to take after graduation

1. Get a graduate job

Moving straight into employment remains the most common pathway for new graduates. The latest What do graduates do? 2025/26 report by Prospects Luminate, based on graduates surveyed 15 months after finishing their studies, shows that in total, just over 80% of the cohort were in some form of employment:

Specifically:

• 56.4% were in full-time work
• 12% were in part-time roles
• 71.9% of those working were in professional-level positions

If you're starting your job search, your university careers service can provide support with CVs, cover letters, interview preparation, and networking opportunities. Many graduates also find it helpful to:

• connect with alumni or mentor networks
• reflect on their strengths, interests and values
• speak to professionals in their target sector
• stay open to changing direction as they explore options.

You can also use online networking platforms like LinkedIn and professional bodies or associations to connect with potential employers.

Searching for a job can be daunting, especially when you're starting out without any experience, but internships, volunteering, or work shadowing can help you build confidence and demonstrate your commitment and determination.

Exploring salaried graduate schemes or entry-level positions can also help you to build relevant experience and take advantage of professional development opportunities.

Keep in mind that your first job doesn't define your entire career. Career paths are rarely linear - by being adaptable, seeking guidance, and embracing opportunities, you can build a fulfilling and successful future.

2. Become self-employed

Freelancing or building a 'gig career' is becoming an increasingly popular option for graduates. In fact, 11.4% of employed graduates report some form of self-employment or working towards this goal - whether full-time, part-time, or alongside another job.

Research shows a rise in self-employment among graduates and emphasises that employment after earning a degree is often more complex than a single job title. According to What do Graduates Do?, one-third of those surveyed in non-graduate roles were also undertaking graduate-level freelance work alongside their main job.

If you're considering self-employment, it's a good idea to start small. Taking on a single client or volunteering your skills can help you understand how you like to work and give you early examples to showcase to future clients.

Platforms that can be useful starting points for finding clients and building your experience include:

• Etsy
• Fiverr
• Upwork

Many universities also offer start-up hubs, funding opportunities, and mentoring to help you develop your ideas and connect with others on the same path. If you didn't attend a university with start-up support, consider local or online incubators and mentorship programmes.

It's also important to understand the practical side. Self-employment offers independence, creative control, and flexibility, but you'll also need to manage:

• admin
• clients
• finances
• marketing.

You need to consider legal and financial responsibilities, such as registering as self-employed, managing taxes, securing insurance, and creating clear contracts. Discover whether self-employment is right for you.

Building a personal brand online, through a professional website, portfolio, or blog, can help attract clients and showcase your expertise - even just two or three clear examples can make a big difference when pitching to clients. Depending on your field, you could consider showcasing a:

• data analysis task
• design project
• short film
• workshop you've delivered.

For further advice on self-employment, explore our guide to starting a business.

3. Pursue postgraduate study

Further study remains a popular path for graduates, and for good reason. It can:

• enhance your career prospects
• deepen your knowledge of a chosen field
• open doors to specialised roles.

Among the UK's 2022/23 graduate cohort, 6.6% progressed directly to postgraduate education, while 10.9% combined work with further study.

According to What Do Graduates Do?, the most common postgraduate paths are:

• Masters (MA, MSc) - 44.9%
• Professional qualifications - 22%
• Postgraduate certificates/diplomas - 15.3%
• Doctoral study - 9.3%

If you're considering postgraduate study, it's helpful to start by clarifying your motivation. Ask yourself:

• Is this the right time for me, both academically and financially?
• Why do I want to continue studying - what's motivating this decision?
• Will this qualification support my long-term career goals?

Discussing your options with a careers adviser can help you weigh the potential benefits of each pathway and the likely return on your investment. Many students also find that a short spell of work experience or a conversation with someone already working in their chosen field can provide the clarity they need.

Search for postgraduate courses.

If you are looking for alternative ways to boost your employability without committing to a full Masters degree, consider options such as:

• microcredentials
• online courses
• postgraduate certificates or diplomas (PGCert/PGDip)
• skills bootcamps

If you decide that postgraduate study is the right step, explore funding options early. Universities often offer scholarships and bursaries, or research assistant roles, alongside government loans. Discover our tips on applying for a Masters degree.

4. Take a gap year

Many graduates take time to explore different interests, gain experience in unrelated fields, or simply clarify what they want before committing to a career. What do Graduates Do? data shows that around 8 to 9% of graduates across subjects fall into the unemployed or 'other' category, suggesting that some may be intentionally using this period as a gap year.

Whether you take time out or try something completely different, you're still building transferable skills - independence, travel, and life experience - that support your long-term career. What matters most is choosing the route that feels right for you.

Opportunities such as working abroad, counselling at a summer camp in the USA, or volunteering in Asia can broaden your network and strengthen your CV. These experiences often help you build transferable skills, including:

• adaptability
• communication
• cultural awareness
• digital literacy
• project management
• resilience
• teamwork.

Structured programmes can also help you gain meaningful experience and make it easier to evidence these skills in applications. Explore:

• schemes like BUNAC or Jenza
• teaching abroad programmes
• volunteering roles with children or animals.

Gap year experiences don't have to involve international travel - local projects, volunteering, or work experience can be just as valuable. For more inspiration, see our gap year ideas.

To get the most out of your year, reflect on what you're learning as you go - tracking your achievements will make future job applications much simpler. Connecting each activity to the skills you've gained - such as independence, or cross-cultural communication - will also help you to demonstrate your strengths clearly to employers.

Finally, start planning your next steps early. Opportunities won't automatically appear once you return, but dedicating even a few hours a month to search for roles, update your CV, or network can make the transition smoother and help avoid the familiar 'now what?' moment many gap year graduates experience.

Explore whether a gap year is right for you.

Can I combine multiple paths after graduation?

Absolutely. These routes aren't mutually exclusive, and many graduates choose to pursue more than one path at the same time.

For example, some students opt to work part-time while continuing with postgraduate studies, allowing them to gain practical experience while advancing academically. Others might launch a freelance or entrepreneurial venture alongside a full-time job, gradually building a business without giving up financial stability.

Thinking creatively about your options can also help you gain a broader range of experience and develop a more adaptable skill set.

What support is available after I leave university?

Most universities continue to offer career support long after you graduate, often for months or even years. This support can take many forms, such as:

• access to alumni networks and professional mentors
• exclusive job boards and internship listings
• one-to-one career coaching
• workshops on CV writing.

Many universities also run career fairs and online webinars, which can help you connect with employers and keep up to date with industry trends.

What if these options aren't for me?

If these four pathways don't feel like the right fit, there are plenty of other avenues to explore. Many graduates pursue alternatives such as:

• apprenticeships - combining paid work with training to develop skills in a specific field
• conversion courses - allowing you to switch to a new subject area or career direction
• entry schemes in the public sector, such as the Civil Service Fast Stream - offering training and clear progression routes
• professional qualifications or adult education - to gain specialised expertise or pivot to a new profession.

These alternatives can be particularly valuable if you want to gain hands-on experience, explore different sectors, or create a career path that aligns with your unique interests.

To explore your options further, check out our careers advice articles or browse our job profiles, which provide insights into different roles, salaries, and qualifications.

You can also listen to the Future You podcast for insights from industry professionals, careers advisers and students to help you make a more informed decision about the next step in your journey.

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