Prospects.ac.uk

Technology graduate schemes 2026

AuthorDaniel Higginbotham, senior editor
Posted on

Whether you're interested in a specific IT role or would like to get a more rounded experience, there are technology graduate schemes to fit your aspirations

According to High Fliers' The Graduate Market in 2025 report, which questioned leading employers featured in The Times Top 100, recruiters aimed to take on just under 1,000 technology graduates. Discover what you can expect if you're looking to join a structured training programme in 2026.

What technology graduate schemes are available?

Most major UK companies running graduate schemes offer streams focused on IT and technology.

As technology plays a vital role in all organisations, you'll find options across all sectors in the following areas:

These schemes are typically structured training programmes for new and recent graduates, usually lasting between one and two years.

A number of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also take on graduates to fill skills gaps and build the workforce of the future.

Consider the range of IT graduate jobs to understand what tech careers suit you.

For those with qualifications other than a degree, read about IT apprenticeships.

If you're a student seeking relevant work experience, consider applying for an IT internship.

Which companies run tech graduate schemes?

  • Accenture - offers a number of streams, including positions in analytics, consulting, digital engineering and manufacturing, modern engineering, strategy, and tech transformation.
  • Capgemini - choose from various business consulting, technology consulting and technical roles. Whether you're looking to use your technical degree background as a software developer or technical analyst or are simply enthusiastic about tech as a business analyst or client account manager, there's sure to be a match.
  • Cisco - by joining the networking, cloud and cyber security specialists on their IT scheme, you'll be involved with the company's software, hardware or security functions.
  • FDM Group - options include change and transformation, data and analytics, IT operations and software engineering.
  • Fujitsu - the programme is designed to develop future leaders, and the available streams include consulting, cyber consulting, project management, software development, and testing.
  • Halo Service Solutions - with opportunities to travel the world, the scheme is open to all graduates, including those with little knowledge of the software industry.
  • Ten10 - this tech consultancy provides training in a range of areas, from business analysis and project management to cloud computing engineering, robotic process automation and DevOps.

There are also IT graduate programmes in other sectors, including environment, finance, public services, retail, and transport:

  • EY - by joining the Tech Consulting Scheme, you'll get to support other businesses along their digital transformation journey. You could work in data analytics, finance modelling, quantitative advisory services (QAS), or risk.
  • HSBC - the bank's Digital Innovation Graduate Programme gives you the opportunity to work with the latest technologies such as cloud, cyber, data and AI.
  • MI5 - on the Technology Graduate Development Programme (TGDP), you can choose your preferred stream from data science and machine learning, information and cyber security, security engineering, software engineering, and user experience design.
  • Morrisons - the supermarket chain offers a Technology Graduate Scheme for those looking to gain an understanding of how technology is used within a retail business.
  • Ordnance Survey (OS) - become a technical expert, consultant and leader by choosing a technical programme in data science and analytics, computer science, or data visualisation.
  • PwC - on its Tech and AI programme, you can choose to work with code, data, platforms or systems. You’ll use, design, build, test, implement, maintain or improve the latest technologies and solve real-world challenges.
  • Tesco - there are four tech-focused programmes, including cyber security, product management, programme management and software engineering.

What does a tech graduate programme involve?

For general technology graduate schemes, especially those focused on developing leaders, the programme will typically involve spending time across different departments to better understand the tech industry's wide-ranging needs.

However, as technical skills are essential for most roles in this field, it's likely you'll get to choose a specialist area in which you'd like to excel, such as AI or software engineering.

For example, the two-year FDM Software Engineering graduate programme allows you to specialise in cloud engineering. As a cloud platform engineer, you'll have responsibility for all cloud-related technological tasks, from creating environments to diagnosing and fixing issues with existing systems. Your training will involve developing skills in various software, languages and platforms, including:

  • Ansible
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • GCP
  • Python
  • Terraform.

HSBC's two-year Digital Innovation Graduate Programme also allows you to work with a particular technology, such as:

  • AI
  • cloud
  • cyber
  • data.

While working on these Agile projects, you can build, test, and run simulations using the technology.

Read more about these technologies as you discover the range of IT courses.

You can also get a complete overview of the UK's IT industry.

What are the entry requirements?

While some employers expect a 2:1, many accept those with a 2:2. However, for tech programmes, this typically needs to be in an IT or STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) subject.

OS welcomes applications from those studying the following subjects/disciplines:

Recruiters may also specify a specific number of UCAS points or GCSE/A-level grades.

For instance, to get onto EY's Technology Consulting Graduate Programme, you'll need:

  • an honours degree in any subject
  • three A-levels
  • grade 4/C GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and Maths.

Alternatively, Halo requires BBB or above at A-level, as well as a 2:1 degree in any discipline.

When should I apply?

The High Fliers research revealed that applications for tech schemes rose by over a quarter (27%) in 2024/25, so competition for places can be fierce.

Most schemes start accepting applications for the following year in September or October and close by the end of the year, although the dates vary between employers.

For instance, the Capgemini recruitment season runs from September to August, while applicants for BA's tech programmes open in October but close two to four months later, depending on the scheme. The OS scheme stops accepting applications at the end of November.

Again, while most schemes start in September, this isn't always the case. For example, the HSBC scheme starts in July.

Accenture plans to recruit for its technology transformation roles from March 2026 through to August 2027 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit graduate schemes to get an overview of the standard application process.

What skills will I need for a technology graduate scheme?

If you want to work in this field, you'll need specific tech skills, general business skills and key attributes that leading recruiters look for in candidates.

Tech skills

  • application development
  • cloud computing
  • coding
  • cyber security
  • data analysis
  • data management
  • data modelling
  • IT infrastructure
  • IT support
  • networking
  • operating systems
  • programming languages
  • project management
  • QA testing
  • software development
  • technical writing
  • user experience (UX) design.

IT graduate soft skills and requirements

  • analytical
  • commercial-minded
  • communication
  • creativity
  • flexibility
  • interpersonal
  • leadership
  • organisation
  • presentation
  • problem-solving
  • product knowledge.

Industry examples

Here are some examples of the skills IT employers are most interested in:

  • Cisco - they expect their graduate recruits to explain complex technical concepts to stakeholders simply and effectively, possess a high level of attention to detail as well as strong instincts for problem-solving, be a self-motivated learner that can get to grips with new technology, and have excellent teamworking skills.
  • EY - to work in tech consulting, you'll need an analytics mindset to dig deep and find the best solutions, project management and design skills to help transform businesses, the ability to build relationships and grow your network, financial acumen to predict outcomes and solve problems, and the hunger to achieve technical certifications and better understand the impact of risk on a business.
  • HSBC - the bank is looking for innovative and logical thinkers, creative problem-solvers with a passion for technology, and strong analytical minds. They're seeking collaborators who can speak up and build relationships with people on large-scale projects.

How much will I be paid?

Here's what a selection of recruiters are offering to tech graduates in 2026:

  • Accenture - £32,028 plus a £5,000 bonus (most locations) for its Technology Analyst Graduate Programme (in London, the salary is £35,190 plus a £10,000 bonus).
  • Capgemini - £30,000 plus benefits for most of its technology programmes.
  • BA - £35,000 for its Digital scheme.
  • Halo - £30,000, with the potential to earn £40,000 in the first year.
  • MI5 - £44,190 (London) for its TGDP.
  • OS - £26,000.
  • Tesco - £40,000 for its technology-related programmes.

You can expect a salary of £26,000 to £44,000 for a technology graduate scheme in 2026.

Find out more