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Marketing graduate schemes

AuthorDarcy Nathan, editor
Posted on

Looking to start your marketing career? Graduate schemes give you the chance to learn from industry experts, work on real projects, and build a solid foundation for your future in a fast-paced, creative field

Why choose a marketing graduate scheme?

A marketing graduate scheme offers far more than an entry-level job. You'll get to tackle real business challenges, contribute to meaningful campaigns, and rotate across different teams, helping you develop a broad and adaptable skill set.

Along the way, you'll receive structured training, mentorship, and access to senior leaders, giving you the chance to explore different areas of marketing. By the end of the programme, you'll know whether you want to specialise in brand, digital, strategy, or another area.

Which companies run marketing schemes?

Marketing covers a range of specialisms, so understanding the different pathways can help you choose the right scheme. Here's an overview of the main areas:

Advertising and public relations (PR)

Roles in PR and communications involve managing reputation, media relations, events, and stakeholder engagement. You'll also shape product positioning, support launches, and help deliver value to customers.

Brand and e-commerce

These roles focus on managing brand identity, messaging, and campaigns, while also improving online shopping experiences and increasing conversions.

Digital marketing, SEO and paid media

These jobs let you create content, manage social media, produce videos, analyse customer data, optimise performance, and spot trends.

Search for graduate schemes in marketing, advertising and PR.

What do marketing graduate schemes involve?

On a graduate scheme, you'll get hands-on experience on live projects across multiple areas, helping you understand how different marketing functions contribute to broader business goals.

Some programmes, like FGS Global, even let you choose pathways to shape your career and progress into a permanent role suited to your strengths and interests.

Your day-to-day tasks will vary depending on your rotation but often include:

  • analysing customer or campaign data
  • conducting competitor or audience research
  • collaborating with designers, agencies, and internal teams
  • presenting insights or recommendations
  • supporting marketing materials and messaging
  • writing and scheduling social media or email content.

For example, on L'Oréal's scheme, graduates have contributed to campaigns like Diesel's 'Only the Brave' fragrance launch, working closely with agencies and retail partners.

Marketing is fast-moving and increasingly shaped by digital tools, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). Most schemes will help you build skills in these areas and give you hands-on experience with industry tools, such as:

  • content management systems (CMS) like WordPress or Shopify
  • design tools such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite
  • CRM or email tools such as HubSpot, Salesforce, or Mailchimp
  • Google Analytics or Looker Studio for performance tracking
  • social scheduling tools like Hootsuite or Sprout.

Many graduate schemes combine hands-on experience with structured learning to help you develop key skills. For example, WeDiscover provides regular 1:1 and group training sessions with data specialists, along with a dedicated learning fund to cover courses and books.

On top of this, schemes often support your long-term career development by funding professional qualifications, including:

  • CIM certificate or diploma
  • CIM membership
  • Chartered Marketer status.

Where can I find marketing graduate schemes?

You can search for vacancies on industry-specific job boards, such as:

Some professional bodies, such as Data and Marketing Association and the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), also run job boards, though these may require membership to access.

You can also check LinkedIn, social media channels, and employer early careers pages directly. Many schemes open early to attract top candidates, so start looking from spring onwards.

What are the entry requirements?

Most marketing graduate schemes ask for:

  • a 2:1 degree (though some - like M&S or Lloyds - may accept a 2:2 with relevant experience)
  • graduation within the last two to three years
  • strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills
  • the right to work in the UK (though international organisations may have additional requirements).

How do I apply?

Applications usually open around June for the following year, with deadlines between November and December.

Marketing graduate schemes are competitive, so make your CV and cover letter stand out. Tailor them to the company, show your enthusiasm, and highlight relevant experience. The typical process includes:

  1. Online application - submit a tailored CV, personal statement, and cover letter.
  2. Psychometric tests - covering reasoning, problem solving, creativity, and values alignment.
  3. Assessment centres - often involving group tasks, case studies, presentations, and interviews.
  4. Final interview - usually with senior marketers or business leaders.

Assessment centres usually run from November to March, with offers released in spring. Popular schemes may close early, so apply as soon as applications open.

To strengthen your application:

Discover how to answer common interview questions.

Do I need experience?

You don't usually need formal marketing experience to apply for a graduate scheme, but having some relevant exposure can strengthen your application. Employers value potential, so transferable skills are just as important - common skills that marketing employers look for include:

  • creative problem solving
  • copywriting and storytelling
  • customer understanding
  • data literacy
  • presentation and stakeholder skills
  • technical awareness and familiarity with tools such as Google Analytics, social media platforms, CRM systems, or SEO basics.

Even developing a few of these skills through work experience, volunteering, or work shadowing can make your application stronger.

Discover the skills all employers look for.

If you're still studying, consider gaining experience to boost your application by:

Several initiatives help underrepresented groups break into the sector, offering hands-on experience and connections with industry professionals, such as:

How much will I be paid on a graduate scheme?

As a guide, starting salaries for marketing graduate schemes in the UK usually range from £25,000 to £30,000 per year, although larger organisations often pay more. Salaries can also vary by location, with London-based schemes typically offering higher pay to reflect living costs.

Some example salaries include:

  • Autotrader - between £26,000 and £28,000
  • Lloyds Banking Group - £31,000 to £33,000
  • L'Oréal - £35,000
  • Siemens - £31,600
  • Tesco - £32,000
  • THG - approximately £33,135 depending on division
  • Varn - £24,000.

Many larger multinational schemes also offer additional perks, such as:

  • life assurance
  • professional development funding
  • private medical cover
  • retail discounts
  • signing bonuses.

Samsung, for example, provides £55 per month for health and lifestyle benefits, plus performance-related bonuses.

Am I guaranteed a job at the end?

Some schemes, such as those at WeDiscover and Dentsu, offer a permanent role from the outset, while others are designed to develop a company's future talent pipeline.

For example, the FGS Global UK programme equips you with experience on high-profile campaigns, preparing you for a permanent associate role at the company.

Even if you don't secure a permanent role with the same employer, the skills, experience, and networks you gain will give you a strong foundation for careers across the sector, both in the UK and globally.

Where can a marketing graduate scheme take me?

After completing a scheme, you could step into mid-level roles such as a:

These roles typically earn between £26,000 and £32,000 per year. For instance, a PR officer at Tesco usually earns around £27,500, while a marketing executive at Siemens can expect approximately £32,386 annually.

As you gain experience, you can progress to senior-level positions like social media manager or public affairs consultant, often within five to seven years, earning £40,000 to £60,000. For example, a content specialist at Lloyds Bank can earn between £43,803 and £48,670, depending on experience, while an e-commerce manager at TikTok can earn around £88,183 per year.

Find out more