Are you a recent university graduate looking to kickstart your career? We understand the mix of emotions that you’re going through at this time. On the one hand, there’s excitement to begin this next chapter of your life. However, on the other, feelings of apprehension creep in. With graduate career opportunities at an all-time high, competition can be fierce. Therefore, finding the best graduate schemes can be key to getting your foot in the door at some of the biggest employers in the UK.
There are plenty of amazing opportunities for ambitious graduates across all sorts of industries in the UK right now. Whether you studied finance, engineering, business, law, or anything in between, graduate schemes are recruiting talented individuals like yourself as we speak.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at the 10 best graduate schemes that are hiring in the UK at the moment.
What is a Graduate Scheme?
First things first, what exactly is a graduate scheme? Graduate schemes are structured training programmes for recent graduates to gain industry-specific skills and experience. They typically last between 6 and 24 months and offer rotational placements, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Graduate schemes can be industry-specific, offered by well-known companies like Barclays or Aldi, or even government-sponsored programmes through the Ministry of Defense or the Civil Service, for example.
One of the main advantages of participating in a graduate scheme is the accelerated career progression it can offer, as well as the chance to build a strong foundation for your future career.
The 10 Best Graduate Schemes Hiring Right Now
So if you’re a motivated graduate looking to land your dream first job, read on to learn about the top 10 graduate programmes recruiting now.
Civil Service
The civil service offers an excellent graduate programme called the Fast Stream. This highly selective leadership development scheme has been ranked the #1 graduate employer in the UK for four consecutive years.
The civil service is a Disability Confident Leader Employer. This means that it is committed to diversity and inclusion, providing opportunities for graduates of all backgrounds. The Fast Stream gives graduates access to a wide range of government roles with structured career development. It includes on-the-job coaching, professional qualifications, and a starting salary of £27-28k.
NHS
The NHS’s highly competitive Graduate Management Training Scheme develops trainees across specialisations like finance, policy, HR and management. Throughout the scheme, trainees gain experience across NHS organisations to build a deep understanding of the field. The fast-paced, challenging programme provides excellent development for graduates.
The starting salary is £27,701 with a 5% increase potential after 12 months. Additional benefits include the NHS Pension Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and Cycle2Work scheme.
PwC
PwC offers one of the best graduate schemes in the UK, ranking 3rd in 2022. As a leading professional services firm, PwC provides graduate opportunities across consulting, law, management, audit, tax, risk, and technology.
Their graduate programme allows trainees to experience different business areas while pursuing a Certificate in Finance, Accounting, and Business. This helps graduates determine their specialisation.
Throughout the programme, trainees receive mentoring and hands-on training at one of the world’s largest companies. The starting salary at PwC is competitive at £30-£33k annually.
Discover graduate management jobs →
Deloitte
Deloitte, the 4th top UK graduate employer, provides abundant career opportunities for recent graduates. With Deloitte’s vast size and industry reach, graduates from all backgrounds can find a home across consumer, business, financial, technology, media and energy sectors.
The typical starting salary for Deloitte’s graduate consultants is £23,505 to £39,283 annually. If you are looking for a graduate scheme with diverse opportunities for meaningful work and career development, Deloitte is an excellent choice.
Discover business graduate jobs →
Coming in as the 5th best UK graduate employer, Google is renowned for innovation and provides excellent development opportunities. They offer a variety of graduate programmes to train future leaders across engineering, technology, and business fields.
As a massive global company, Google enables graduates to gain international experience. It values problem-solving abilities and raw talent over specific qualifications, creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Graduates from all backgrounds are welcome.
The average starting salary for Google’s graduate roles is around £22,822 annually. For graduates seeking a creative, innovative environment with exceptional training and global opportunities, Google is a top choice.
EY
Ernst and Young (EY) offers our 6th best graduate scheme hiring right now in the UK. It provides a wide variety of graduate programmes to develop future business leaders. Core graduate schemes include Assurance, Consulting, Strategy and Transactions, Tax and Technology.
EY provides opportunities to work with major global companies. The firm values critical thinking, collaboration and inclusiveness, creating a diverse and welcoming workplace for graduates. Applications are encouraged from all degree disciplines.
The average starting salary for EY’s graduate programmes is highly competitive, ranging from £29,000-£39,500 depending on the role. Additional benefits include private medical insurance, pension contributions and 25 days annual leave.
KPMG
KPMG is one of the top destinations for graduates looking to launch their career in business and finance. It provides some brilliant opportunities to work with major international clients across a multitude of different industries.
Unlike some firms, KPMG welcomes applications from graduates of all degree disciplines – not just accounting and finance. They’re really focused on bringing in people with diverse perspectives.
Once you’re in, you can pick between loads of different programmes like Audit, Consulting, Tax or Legal Services – so there’s something for every interest. The starting salary is between £28k-£32k depending on which you choose, with extra benefits like private healthcare and pension contributions.
BBC
For graduates passionate about media, the BBC’s graduate programme offers an unparalleled opportunity.
As one of the world’s leading public broadcasters, the BBC provides graduates with direct exposure across a range of fields including engineering, finance, HR, marketing and production.
The BBC welcomes applications from all academic backgrounds and is committed to diversity. So whether you’ve recently graduated with skills in creative media, digital marketing or software engineering, the BBC’s graduate programme has something for you.
The starting salary is £28,000 for London roles and £25,000 nationally, along with entry to the highly-regarded BBC Pension Scheme. Training and development includes on-the-job skills, mentoring and classroom learning to equip graduates for media careers.
Aldi
The Aldi Graduate Area Manager Programme offers an accelerated route into retail management for ambitious graduates. Over 12-24 months, trainees gain experience running a multi-million pound Aldi store before taking on an Area Manager role.
The structured programme provides comprehensive training in all aspects of managing an Aldi store. This includes everything from stock management, marketing and logistics to HR, administration and financial control.
Aldi Area Managers earn a starting salary of £50k rising to £90,615 after 8 years. Additional benefits include private medical insurance, a company car from day one, pension contributions and five weeks’ holiday allowance plus bank holidays.
Amazon
Amazon offers graduate opportunities across various digital focus areas including e-commerce, cloud computing, AI and automotive. With over 70,000 UK employees across offices and warehouses, Amazon is one of our largest tech employers.
The graduate scheme provides hands-on experience in a fast-paced, innovative environment. However, the high-pressure culture isn’t suited to everyone.
Amazon offers competitive salaries of around £30k for graduates, along with added benefits like medical insurance, annual leave, flexible work options, and pensions.
Find Top Graduate Employers Near You
Are you a graduate looking for the UK’s best graduate schemes? Be sure to check our dedicated Graduate Jobs Board to find the top graduate careers in your area. Our resource hub is packed with advice and tips to help you land your first graduate role. For the latest industry insights, news, and more, be sure to check out our weekly blog.
If you’re a graduate employer, browse our services page for information on advertising on our specialist jobs board, creating a company profile, and more.
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