Top Following the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of graduates being hired in the UK saw a significant slump. Fortunately, the slump was brief, and 2022 has been a great year for graduates. With graduate career opportunities at an all-time high, we take a look at the UK’s 5 top graduate employers in 2022.
With high rates of graduate recruitment and excellent career development opportunities, these are the best organisations for recent graduates to earn their stripes and kickstart their careers.
Top 5 UK Graduate Employers In The UK
The Times recently named these 5 British institutions the biggest graduate employers, making them excellent options for recent and future graduates looking to break into the job market.
1. Civil Service
Nabbing the top spot on the Times’s list of the best UK graduate employers is the civil service. There’s a reason why the civil service has won this title for four years running. With a wide range of roles and plenty of opportunities to advance, the civil service has been praised for being a great place to work. It’s also a Disability Confident Leader Employer and recognised on the Social Mobility Employer Index, making it a diverse and inclusive place for graduates to start their career paths.
The civil service Fast Stream programme offers talented graduates the chance to become future Civil Service leaders. It provides access to roles in a wide range of government departments and is inclusive to applicants of all ages, backgrounds, and degree subjects. It offers a choice of 15 different leadership and specialist development schemes, all providing on-the-job coaching, a career path, and the opportunity to obtain a professional qualification.
The starting salary for the Fast Stream programme is £27-28k, with earning potential on completion ranging between £45k – £55k.
2. NHS
In 2nd place on the list of top UK graduate employers is the NHS. The NHS is the biggest employer in Europe, offering graduate job opportunities across the UK. As well as a wide variety of locations and career paths, the NHS also boasts an impressive (and highly competitive) graduate scheme; the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme.
The NHS scheme develops trainees in a broad range of specialisations, such as finance, policy, human resources, and management. Throughout the scheme, trainees work in different organisations across the NHS to gain experience and a deep understanding of the field. It’s fast-paced and challenging, but it’s an excellent opportunity for graduates to start a career with plenty of room for development.
The starting salary for the scheme is £26,382, with the possibility of a 5% increase after 12 months. Graduates will also be automatically enrolled into the NHS Pension Scheme and eligible for the NHS Employee Assistance Programme, the Cycle2Work scheme. After completing the scheme, graduates earn on average £40,000 in their first NHS role.
3. PwC
PwC was ranked the 3rd biggest graduate employer in 2022. It’s is now the second-largest professional services network in the world and one of the famous Big Four accounting firms. Since it’s such a large organisation, it provides a diverse range of opportunities for graduates. Graduates can embark on career paths in consulting, legal, management, auditing, tax, risk, and technology.
PwC also offers a graduate programme that gives graduates the chance to experience different business areas while they train for the Certificate in Finance, Accounting, and Business. This gives them a clear idea of their options before choosing what to specialise in. Trainees receive hands-on coaching and mentoring throughout the programme. They also have the chance to learn at one of the biggest companies on the planet.
Graduates can expect to earn a starting salary of around £30,000 to £33,000 per year.
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4. Deloitte
In 4th place is another one of the big 4 accounting firms, Deloitte. So, what makes Deloitte one of the top UK graduate employers? In a word, opportunities. It has a wide selection of early career options for school leavers and graduates. From entry-level apprenticeship schemes to industrial placements to graduate programmes, there are plenty of opportunities to kickstart a career at Deloitte.
Deloitte’s graduate programme offers trainees a chance to build valuable work experience and gain a qualification at the same time. Graduates can work on meaningful projects and work for some of the biggest clients in the world. Since Deloitte is such a large organisation, there are opportunities across various industries. These include consumer, business, financial services, technology, media, and energy. Therefore, graduates from all walks of life can find a place.
Graduate consultants at Deloitte typically earn between £23,505 and £39,283 per year.
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5. Google
Taking the 5th position on the list is search engine giant Google. World-famous for its commitment to innovation, Google is one of the top graduate employers in the UK. As well as offering graduates an exciting place to cut their teeth, Google has also created a wide array of internships and graduate programmes to develop the skills of the UK’s future leaders.
Graduates can choose from a variety of career paths at Google, including engineering, technology, and business. As one of the biggest companies on the planet, graduates have the chance to work all over the world. Google has shared its commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, favouring problem-solving skills and raw talent over specific qualifications and backgrounds. As a result, graduates from every walk of life are welcome.
The average starting salary for Google Graduate workers is around £22,822 per year.
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Find Top Graduate Employers Near You
Are you a graduate looking for the top UK graduate employers? 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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