UK graduate schemes and internships can provide a great starting point to a career. Prior experience may help, though it’s not required.

Grad schemes are available across many sectors and offer rotational training programmes or permanent roles that pay well.

Start early

Graduate schemes provide graduates with work-based training programmes designed to give them practical experience with a company, often lasting two years or longer and often serving as an entry point into full-time roles after they complete university. Big companies will begin recruiting processes as early as September of your final year of university; typically successful applicants get accepted onto these schemes on their first attempt.

Some sectors, like law and accounting, offer more structured routes for entering their profession. Many programs allow individuals to become solicitors or accountants after completing an academic degree program and work experience placement program. Meanwhile, other sectors, including finance marketing recruitment public services offer several alternative paths towards entry.

Employers expect all applicants to possess at least a 2:1, but are usually more accommodating about other requirements such as subject selection and age. Some programs have begun accepting candidates with lower grades because they recognize there are plenty of highly-qualified students who may not yet be ready for employment after graduating.

Graduate schemes can be an ideal way to launch your dream career, but if they aren’t quite right for you it’s worth exploring other possibilities – internships, volunteering programs and part-time work are just a few that may work better.

Relevant experience is key

Graduate schemes provide structured training programmes at large employers that may last for an established amount of time. You will typically participate in several rotations within the company to experience different areas of business; some schemes may even allow graduates in civil engineering to work towards professional certification like membership with Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Graduate schemes can be found across most employment sectors – private companies, public sector organisations and charities alike offer them. Graduate schemes differ from internships in that employers usually look for higher-level thinking skills as opposed to knowledge of your degree subject area when selecting graduates for these schemes.

Experience gained through internships or volunteering is essential in standing out from other applicants, making the application process less daunting and increasing your odds of acceptance. An early start on your application process can only make matters better!

Be mindful that graduate schemes only make up a fraction of overall graduate recruitment, there are plenty of other opportunities out there for graduates. Many employers will offer graduate positions outside of any graduate scheme; these roles can be found across sectors like education (universities), local government, media, cultural heritage and charities; some may even be advertised in national/local papers, industry specific journals and social media platforms.

Interviews are a key part of the process

Application processes for graduate schemes can be long and daunting processes, which is why it is vitally important that you prepare in advance of starting to apply. Employers use interviews as the place where they determine whether or not candidates will be accepted onto their graduate scheme, so work experience in similar sectors could be the deciding factor when making their selection decision.

In the UK, many large employers will offer graduate schemes every year that they recruit for. These may range from general management programs to more specialist HR and IT roles; many will only accept graduates of certain degree disciplines; however some programs such as those offered by NHS and Civil Services offer opportunities open to graduates across all subject areas.

These opportunities will often be advertised in the autumn of your final year at university and you should attend in-person or virtual careers fairs and recruitment events organized by these companies. These provide an excellent chance to learn more about an employer while speaking to recent graduates who have also experienced the recruitment process.

However, many smaller employers offer their own graduate schemes and internship opportunities – you should visit these employers’ websites to view what’s on offer. You could apply directly to individual employers without an established graduate scheme in place if needed – though this approach may be riskier; it would be more prudent to search for roles with large organisations which have already hired several cohorts of graduates.

Graduate schemes are seasonal

Grad schemes offer an invaluable gateway into the working world and provide invaluable training that can help graduates hit the ground running at large companies. With nearly 3 million students enrolled in higher education across the UK, finding employment after university can be challenging. Graduate schemes provide a way in and provide invaluable experience.

As such, they can be highly competitive – the most coveted schemes may attract as many as 650 applications for each role! Participating in work experience and internship programs as well as taking advantage of networking opportunities and attending career fairs may increase your odds of getting on one of these schemes.

Graduate schemes often begin in the autumn term and involve multiple rounds of written applications, assessment centres and psychometric tests. Depending on the scheme type, these may last three years or longer – although often you can leave before reaching its completion point.

Though you might think it’s too late to apply for schemes if you miss the autumn window, don’t give up hope – there are graduate jobs and internships available all year round that don’t usually have strict application processes – keep searching patiently until something suitable comes along! Internships provide invaluable experience of working life, which could eventually lead to full time employment in your industry of choice.