Graduate schemes 2027

What is a graduate scheme?

A graduate scheme is a structured training programme run by an employer to develop graduates' professional knowledge and skills. It usually lasts between one and three years, although programme lengths vary.

Graduate programmes are available in various specialisms, or streams, as they're also known, including:

• finance
• human resources (HR)
• information technology (IT)
• law
• management
• marketing
• retail.

Some employers will only take on recent graduates (within the last few years), although many programmes are open to anyone with a degree. For example, there is no age limit for applicants to the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme.

Graduate scheme versus graduate job

While graduate schemes and graduate jobs can both provide a route into employment after university, they differ in their structure, training and approach to career progression, for example:

What does a graduate programme involve?

The scheme may focus on a specific job or be split into time-specific placements, such as spending six months rotating across various business functions, teams and possibly locations. This means you may need to be flexible about where and how you work.

As a graduate trainee, you'll benefit from being handed responsibility from the outset. This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop a broad understanding of your chosen profession, while also receiving support in building key skills.

What are the benefits of graduate schemes?

• Develop your skills through formal training - You'll build essential professional skills and gain a deep understanding of your field as you learn about one or more areas of the business. These programmes also help you to hone transferable skills that can be applied to any career. Discover the skills employers want.
• An opportunity to specialise or explore your options - Some schemes are designed to give you experience of different business operations so you can work out the area that most interests you through trial and error. Other programmes allow you to gain specialist knowledge from the outset, and the company may even support you in achieving a professional qualification.
• A chance to develop your leadership ability - The aim of many programmes is to train future leaders of the business. You may be given responsibility from the beginning and learn to manage on the job. Read about 7 skills for a successful management career.
• Gain valuable experience for your CV - Experience with a leading employer can strengthen your CV, even if you aren't offered a permanent position or decide the scheme isn't right for you. It demonstrates that you've successfully adapted to the workplace, which is highly valued by recruiters. Get the lowdown on how to write a CV.
• Build a network of contacts - When you're starting out, having experienced professionals who can vouch for you is crucial. Take every opportunity to connect with colleagues and managers on LinkedIn and maintain these connections throughout your career. Find out how to improve your LinkedIn profile.
• Earn a competitive salary - Graduate schemes are renowned for offering attractive starting salaries and bonuses, with the potential for your earnings to increase as you progress.

Whether a graduate scheme is right for you will depend on your career goals and preferred way of learning, so compare programmes with graduate jobs and other entry-level opportunities before applying.

How much will I earn on a graduate scheme in 2027?

Starting salaries vary by employer, sector and location. According to High Fliers' The Graduate Market in 2026, which surveyed The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers, the highest-paying graduate schemes are offered by investment banks, law firms and consulting firms, with starting salaries of at least £50,000. Investment banking employers offer the highest salaries, at around £60,000.

Examples of advertised graduate scheme salaries for 2027 include:

• Aldi Area Manager Programme - £52,020, rising to £98,050 in year eight.
• Civil Service Fast Stream - £31,554, increasing to £45,000 to £55,000 upon completion of the scheme.
• Lloyds Banking Group - £42,000 to £55,000, depending on the stream.
• MBDA - £31,900, plus a £3,000 joining bonus.
• NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme - £31,276, rising to £33,681 after the first year.

How do graduate scheme salaries progress?

Pay can increase considerably as graduates progress through a programme. The Student Recruitment Survey 2025 from the Institute of Student Employers (ISE) found that graduates started on an average salary of £32,000. By the end of a three-year programme, average salaries had increased to £50,000, representing a 56% increase.

The ISE's Student Development Survey 2026 also found that 78% of employers reported salary increases for graduates who completed an early-career programme, while 74% remained with the organisation after three years.

How competitive are graduate schemes?

Graduate schemes are competitive because popular employers often receive far more applications than they have places available.

While competition is usually strongest for well-known programmes in sectors such as finance, law and consulting, demand can vary by employer, sector and location.

The High Fliers report found particularly large year-on-year increases in applications in the following areas:

• retail (up 58%)
• technology (up 42%)
• accountancy and professional services (up 34%)
• chemicals and pharmaceuticals (up 29%)
• engineering and industrial (up 25%).

This means meeting the minimum entry requirements may not be enough on its own.

Employers often look for candidates who can demonstrate:

• a clear understanding of the organisation and the role
• relevant experience
• strong motivation.

Tailor each application to the programme and use specific examples to show how you meet its criteria, rather than submitting the same answers to several employers.

What qualifications do I need?

Most graduate schemes require applicants to have a degree or be on course to complete one before the programme begins, but entry requirements vary between employers.

Some schemes are open to graduates from any academic discipline, while others require a specific subject, such as engineering, computer science or finance.

Employers may also look for:

• relevant skills
• work experience
• involvement in extra-curricular activities.

Before applying, check the entry requirements carefully to confirm:

• the minimum degree classification required
• whether a particular degree subject is needed
• any required professional, technical or language skills
• eligibility criteria for international students and visa sponsorship.

Can I get on a graduate scheme with a 2:2?

While graduate programmes generally expect applicants to have a 2:1 or higher, some employers may be more flexible.

For example, the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme and all MBDA's graduate programmes ask for a 2:2. However, the NHS programme expects the degree to be in a numerate subject. MBDA's subject requirements depend on the individual programme.

If you get invited to interview, be prepared to discuss your grade with recruiters. Be positive by highlighting your strengths in other areas, and by emphasising your work experience or any positions of responsibility you've held while at university, such as in a part-time job or as a member of a student society.

To prepare, you can also run through some example questions and answers.

Can international students apply for graduate schemes?

Many graduate schemes are open to international students, but eligibility requirements vary between employers.

The main factor to consider is whether an organisation offers visa sponsorship for the programme under the UK's immigration system. Some large employers regularly recruit international graduates and sponsor eligible applicants, while others only accept those who already have the right to work in the UK.

For each programme, check:

• whether it offers visa sponsorship
• any nationality, residency or security-clearance requirements
• whether you have the right to work in the UK for the programme's duration
• when applications close.

If you're already studying in the UK, you may also be able to apply through the Graduate visa route, which allows eligible international graduates to remain in the UK and work after completing their degree. For more information, see the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) - Graduate route.

Read more about living and working in the UK.

Which organisations run graduate schemes?

Graduate schemes are available across most major sectors, particularly with larger employers that recruit cohorts of graduates each year. The examples below show where you're likely to find structured programmes, but always check employer websites for the latest vacancies, eligibility criteria and application deadlines.

• Agriculture/environment - Larger agricultural, food production and environmental employers, such as Dunbia and the National Farmers' Union (NFU), offer training and graduate opportunities in areas including operations, sustainability, land management and environmental consultancy. Work experience is useful when applying for graduate opportunities in agriculture, while those interested in environmental roles can explore how to get an environmental job.
• Charity - While rare in this sector, some charities, such as Cancer Research UK and Save the Children, run training schemes. Read more about getting a graduate charity job.
• Energy and utilities - Employers such as ExxonMobil and Shell recruit graduates into engineering, commercial, environmental, digital and project management roles, with opportunities across renewables, nuclear, oil and gas, and water.
• Engineering - Employers across all industries take on engineering graduates every year. Graduate schemes are available across aerospace, defence, energy, manufacturing and utilities, with employers such as BAE Systems and Siemens offering roles in design, operations and project management. Read about how to become an engineer and get the lowdown on engineering graduate schemes.
• Finance - All the major banks, including Barclays, the Lloyds Banking Group and HSBC, have dedicated finance graduate schemes, and finance specialists are in demand across a range of services, including insurance.
• Healthcare/management - If you're looking to work in the healthcare sector at a management level, consider joining the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme. General management programmes, including consulting graduate schemes, are also available.
• HR - Many large organisations, including Accenture and the Civil Service, require graduates to work in their busy personnel departments. See HR graduate schemes.
• IT - Technology employers such as Cisco, Capgemini and Fujitsu recruit for software development, cyber security, data, consultancy, product, technical sales and customer-facing roles. Read about tech graduate schemes.
• Law - Law firms such as Dentons and Addleshaw Goddard offer structured routes into the profession, including training contracts. These can help you build the qualifying work experience needed to become a solicitor.
• Marketing - Employers such as Nestlé and Lidl offer graduate opportunities in areas including brand, digital and commercial marketing. Marketing schemes are available across sectors such as retail, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), finance and technology. For creative roles, explore how to get a creative job.
• Media - Formal schemes are most common at larger media, communications and telecoms companies, such as the BBC, Sky or Virgin Media O2, while smaller agencies may recruit through entry-level roles. Find out more about media careers.
• Property and construction - Due to skills shortages, graduates are in high demand in areas such as quantity surveying, planning, project management and digital construction, with employers such as Knight Frank and Babcock offering routes into real estate, infrastructure and project management. Get an overview of the property and construction industry and explore real estate graduate programmes.
• Public services/intelligence - Organisations such as GCHQ, MI5, MI6, Police Now and The Army offer structured routes into public service, policing, intelligence and the armed forces. If you're interested in getting a graduate job in public services, check eligibility carefully, as some roles have nationality, residency or security-clearance requirements.
• Retail - The UK's largest retailers, including Aldi, Marks & Spencer and Tesco, train their staff through structured retail graduate schemes, typically split across customer-facing and head office roles. There are also opportunities to work in logistics and supply chain management.
• Sales - Employers including KEYENCE and TTi offer graduate opportunities in business development, account management and technical sales. Programmes are also available across sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals and FMCG. Explore sales graduate schemes.
• Science and pharmaceuticals - Spanning a number of sectors, including healthcare and engineering, science graduate schemes from the likes of Bayer UK and GSK are ideal for careers in which you'll put your scientific knowledge to good use.
• Transport - Aer Lingus, British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Virgin Atlantic seek graduates for their commercial, finance and IT-related airline graduate schemes. You could also consider road and railway careers.

To find out more about individual programmes, attend careers fairs and recruitment events to speak to employers and recent graduates.

Once you've identified sectors that interest you, compare individual employer careers pages to check:

• deadlines
• entry requirements
• locations
• programme streams.

When do graduate schemes start?

Start dates for programmes are usually set for July or August following graduation, but this does vary, as some employers take on new recruits in September or October. They may even recruit throughout the year as vacancies become available.

For instance, the start date for Scottish Power's programmes is mid-September, while the start date for graduate jobs at RSM UK is either January or August/September, depending on the role.

When can I apply for graduate programmes?

In most cases, applications are accepted from September or October 2026 for schemes that start in summer 2027. Employers usually continue to accept applications until the end of the year or early January.

However, it's advisable to apply as early as possible, as some organisations fill places on an ongoing basis and close once they're full.

For example, applications for the Civil Service Fast Stream 2027 will open in October 2026, while Tesco will start accepting applications in September.

Can I apply in my final year of university?

Yes. Most employers allow students to apply during their final year for schemes beginning after graduation. Check whether any offer is conditional on achieving a particular degree classification.

Graduate scheme application timeline

While deadlines and recruitment processes vary between employers, most graduate schemes follow a similar annual cycle. Some organisations assess applications and make offers on a rolling basis.

Where and how do I apply?

You'll need to apply directly to the employer through its careers website.

The first stage is often similar to applying for graduate jobs - you'll be expected to fill out an online job application. Guidance on CVs and cover letters may also be useful.

Depending on the employer, later stages may include:

• interviews
• assessment centres
• psychometric tests

Many employers use social media to share informal advice with candidates about all aspects of the application process. For example, at the NHS, this ranges from current trainees giving tips on how they prepared for their assessment centre, to alumni sharing general advice on interviews and the graduate team offering pointers on passing online tests.

For information on setting up relevant accounts and networking with current graduates, get tips on social media and job hunting.

Will I be offered a permanent job?

Completing a graduate scheme doesn't automatically guarantee a permanent job. Some employers move successful trainees into permanent roles, while others ask them to apply for available positions towards the end of the programme.

Check the programme details and ask how many previous trainees have gone on to get a permanent job there.

What if I don't like my graduate scheme?

If you decide that your graduate scheme isn't right for you, take time to identify what isn't working before making a decision. Consider whether the problem relates to the role, employer, sector, location or structure of the programme, and discuss any concerns with your manager or programme contact where appropriate.

If you still decide to leave, review your contract for any notice period, training agreements or repayment clauses before you go.

You could then:

• apply for other graduate jobs
• consider making a career change
• look into studying a conversion course to move into a different field
• take a gap year to reflect on your career goals or gain experience in a different area.

As you plan your next step, explore how to choose a career. You can also get help with finding a job.

Find out more

• Read about the 4 routes to take after graduation.
• Discover 7 ways to improve graduate employability.
• Consider what you can do with your degree.