Graduate roles
A graduate job can be defined in various ways, but here are two common interpretations: it can be a job for which a degree is the minimum entry requirements or a job that a graduate does.
Find out about the direct entry route, graduate trainee and graduate training schemes - the most popular ways for graduates to start their working lives.
Latest graduate vacancies
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Keep your options open
Whether it’s a graduate job or a scheme, what matters most is the role, the organisation, and how it aligns with your goals.
Don’t rule something out just because it doesn’t have ‘scheme’ or ‘graduate’ in the title!
Explore both. Apply widely.
Bernadette Dooley, Careers Adviser
What is the difference between a direct entry job and a graduate training scheme?
Direct entry roles and internships
- Often single vacancies with immediate starts
- Advertised by companies needing an employee to fit a particular role or need
- A graduate internship is work experience offered by an employer over a fixed period of time. This might be two weeks up to a year
- Offered by companies of any size and sector
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) recruit significant numbers of graduates. These firms make up 99% of all UK private sector businesses
- In some sectors SMEs dominate and so direct entry is the route in. For example, within public relations, digital marketing and the environmental sector
Graduate training schemes
- A structured period of training lasting between one and three years
- There are general management schemes where you move around the business and then specialise
- There are functional schemes where you specialise from day one, for example human resources, IT and supply chain management
- They are offered by companies across a range of sectors including the public sector, accountancy, engineering, IT and telecommunications, retail and pharmaceuticals
Read Bernadette Dooley's career insight into the differences between graduate jobs and graduate training schemes
Graduate roles within small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Small to medium-sized enterprises make up 99% of UK businesses and they are offer opportunities for graduates from a range of backgrounds. The majority of roles will be direct entry.
SMEs recruit across diverse sectors and roles, for example:
- Engineering: Civil, mechanical, electrical, design roles
- IT and technology: Software development, IT support, data analysis
- Marketing and sales: Digital marketing, business development
- Finance and HR: Accountancy, HR assistant roles
- Specialist areas: Sustainability, construction consultancy, ecommerce
With a smaller workforce, you are likely to tackle a range of tasks, providing you with a understanding of the whole business as well as have more access to senior members. By getting to know everyone in the organisation, you'll be able to build your professional network.
If you're looking to use showcase your initiative and take on early responsibility, working for an SME might be the right option for you.
Read UoN student, Akshaya Kerupagaran, insight into opportunities in SMEs at MediCity in Nottingham
Spotlight On: Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Hear from our exciting panel of alumni speakers, all from different degree backgrounds who are working in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Our panel discuss their career journeys, current roles, offer advice and highlight the unique benefits of working in an SME.
- Ciaran Moyles (MEng Chemical Engineering), Project Manager at Protolan
- Tom Robinson (MSc Chemistry), Production Manager at 4D Medicine
- Susie Jeffrey (BA American Studies and English), PR and Marketing Executive at V Formation
Login to SharePoint to watch the webinar
- Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar
How can postgraduate students demonstrate their specialist skills?
Direct entry roles and internships
- Convince the employer that you can ‘hit the ground running’ utilising the additional confidence, experience and independent research skills gained through postgraduate study
- Try to think about the additional skills that you’ve developed during your postgraduate course
- Can you offer a deeper insight into the subject area relevant to the role?
- Do you have had additional work experience?
Graduate training schemes
- Employers recruit both postgraduates and undergraduates. They don't differentiate between them either in their recruitment processes or in their salary offers
- Postgraduates need to use their experience to differentiate themselves from the competition
Masters students can highlight skills such as:
- dealing with complex issues and solving problems
- delivering demanding work within tight deadlines
- applying knowledge in original and creative ways
- designing and undertaking short research projects
When and how can I apply?
Direct entry roles and graduate internships
- Apply after the spring vacation so you could start after your exams
- The recruitment process is likely to include a CV or application form and an interview
- Searching for an internship is similar to looking for a full-time graduate job
- While some graduate internships might be advertised, you could also contact companies direct to find out if they offer internships
Graduate training schemes
- Half of the UK's leading employers now recruit graduates all year round
- For employers with a single deadline, most are either November, December or January
- The recruitment process is likely to include an application form, psychometric tests, interviews and an assessment centre
Find help and advice on CVs, covering letters, application forms and more:
Ace the recruitment process with our making applications pages
Attend a Career Essentials workshop for support with all stages of the application process
Where do I find vacancies?
Want to find out more about your options? Try our online course
Making sense of your graduate employment options
We've created an online course designed to help you explore and understand your graduate career options.
Go to our online course