Graduates Scheme Career Guide

Sectors / 02 June 2023

After completing a Bachelor’s degree, university graduates must decide how to get their foot on the career ladder. One option is to join a graduate scheme, an entry-level programme that combines work with training.

Unlike in a standard graduate job, an employer running a graduate scheme invests time and resources into teaching you about several aspects of the business, with a view to you becoming a future leader in the company. Experiencing different job roles helps you and your employer find the area to which you are most suited.

In this guide, you’ll learn more about graduate schemes, when to apply, and which industries and companies are known for running graduate schemes.

What is a Graduate Scheme?

The typical format of a graduate scheme involves a general induction to the company, where you will be assigned a mentor or coordinator who will oversee your programme and support you as you complete it. After this, you will rotate through different company departments, learning about each one and getting to know the teams as you go. By the end of the programme, you and your employer will decide on your permanent role within the company, depending upon which area suits you most.

Graduate schemes typically last between one and two years, although some last for up to four years. You must have recently completed a Bachelor’s degree to qualify, and some employers allow you to apply for a graduate scheme for up to two years after graduating.

Graduate schemes benefit both you and the employer. You gain experience and develop your expertise, and your employer gets a well-rounded team member who understands and can contribute to the business as a whole, now and in the future.

How to Apply for a Graduate Scheme

Once you have researched your options, you can apply for your chosen graduate scheme directly through the company website. Each employer has its own application process and deadlines, and they expect you to apply during your course to secure a place for when you graduate.

You can often apply for your chosen scheme from the summer after your second year. We’d advise getting in early, as the more competitive graduate schemes may fill up and close to new applicants quickly.

Most companies ask for a minimum 2:1 degree, although in recent years, there has been a shift away from the standard request for a 2:1, and organisations are increasingly open to candidates with a 2:2 degree classification. This change is happening for a number of reasons, and has already been adopted by several leading employers, including Tesco, PwC, BAE Systems and Santander.

The application process itself can be competitive and demanding. You may be asked to go through several rounds of selection involving:

Completing the initial application form online
A video call or telephone interview
Online psychometric and aptitude tests
A full day of interactive assessments and tests at an assessment centre
Giving an individual or group presentation
A face-to-face interview with one person or a panel

Salary and Career Progression

Graduate scheme salaries vary between industries and employers, but you can expect them to be higher than many entry-level jobs. In the most competitive sectors, graduate scheme salaries are high to attract the very best talent. Average graduate scheme pay in the UK is around £30,000, although some industrious may pay upwards of £50,000.

After completing a graduate scheme, you may be in a position to negotiate a salary increase as you secure a permanent position.

Unpaid graduate schemes do exist, sometimes advertised as free training schemes. The value of unpaid schemes is open to debate, so we advise you to exercise caution before committing to this type of programme.

Working Hours

There are no standard working hours for a graduate scheme, as it depends on the nature of the industry and company that you choose. However, as most graduate schemes are office-based, you will likely work core hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Keep in mind that your hours may change as you move around departments, and you will be expected to be flexible.

Notable Industries

Finance and Banking
Energy Supply
Agriculture
Marketing
Media
Healthcare Management
Engineering
Armed Forces
Insurance
Accountancy
Business Consulting
Retail
Legal
Civil Service

Notable Companies

Deloitte: The professional services company based in London runs graduate programmes in Auditing, Legal, Consulting, Cyber security and more from its UK and overseas locations
BBC: The British Broadcasting Corporation offers graduates the chance to train in Finance & Legal, Cyber Security Technology, Data Science and more
Savills: The well-known property agent also provides support to the agricultural industry and offers a graduate scheme in its Food and Farming consultancy team
Ministry of Defence: The MoD offers graduate schemes in all three armed forces: the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force
BP: Offers UK graduate programmes in several areas, including Engineering, Digital, Science, Trading and Business
National Health Service: The NHS runs graduate management training schemes in General Management, Finance, Human Resources, Policy and Stratgey, Health Informatics and Health Analysis
Marks and Spencer: The nationwide clothing, food and homeware retailer offers a number of graduate schemes in areas including Clothing and Home, Retail, Technology, Finance, HR, and Data Science
EDF: Energy provider that offers 1-3-year graduate schemes in multiple areas, including Supply Chain, Procurement, Science and Engineering, Nuclear Security, Design Engineering and Renewable Energy

Next Steps

Stay one step ahead of the competition with our Ultimate Jobseeker Guide for tips and advice on landing your next role, and don’t forget to sign up to JobLookup to receive the latest graduate and trainee jobs straight to your inbox.