Graduate Schemes: The Gold Standard of Career Development
Graduate Schemes are the best way to launch your career. Here we take a look at Graduate Schemes and give some advice on how to learn more about schemes that might interest you.
For many students, our attention is focused primarily on study and performing well in assessments. But what comes after university? Where will our university education take us next?
University isn’t just about learning or passing assessments. A good university education helps us figure out who we are, who we want to become, and which path we want to take in life.
Thinking about these aspects of our education is vital. And, ideally, we want to start thinking about these questions as early in our undergraduate studies as possible.
Here we will take a look at opportunities that are regarded as the “Holy Grail” of opportunities for recent graduates: The Graduate Scheme.
What is a Graduate Scheme?
Major employers across different sectors recruit new graduates to career development pathways called “Graduate Schemes” or “Graduate Programmes”.
Graduate Schemes have several characteristics we need to be aware of:
Grad Schemes are usually focused on specific “tracks” or “pathways” (i.e. marketing, finance, human resources etc)
Grad Schemes may offer multiple specialisms within a track (i.e. Marketing Grad Schemes might offer tracks in social media marketing, merchandising, marketing data and analytics, product development etc)
Graduate Schemes often require a minimum of a 2:1 degree classification - especially for more prestigious companies. However, many graduate schemes now open applications for recent graduates with a 2:2 classification.
In either case (2:1 or 2:2) these are minimum requirements, with successful candidates having experience, skills and abilities which elevate them above other candidates.
The application process often involves several stages: CV, online test/survey,
Graduate schemes recruit during your final year of study. Closing dates tend to be between October and March of your year of study.
Graduate Scheme start dates then follow in July-September after you finish university.
They are well paid, offering salaries in the £25-£35k ballpark for the duration of the Graduate Scheme.
On completion, you will then progress within the company, with a clear career pathway in the company and (of course) a salary increase.
Who offers Graduate Schemes?
Graduate Schemes are offered by major companies across a range of sectors. Let’s take a look at some examples:
HSBC Bank Global Markets Graduate Programmes - Banks (along with other financial companies such as PWC, KPMG, Ernst & Young and Deloitte) offer very well designed Graduate Schemes. Schemes can see graudates placed in the UK, or as far afield as USA, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Hong Kong, Argentina.
Jaguar Land Rover Business Strategy and Sustainability Scheme - Major manufacturers such as JLR, along with all other major automotive firms, have graudate schemes across different areas including design, engineering, tech, and various business fucntions such as CSR, strategy and HR.
This Grad Scheme from JLR (applications closed for 2024 intake) offers a 2yr Graduate Scheme including:
£31k salary
£2000 “Golden Hello” to help graduates relocate
Salary increases to £38k on completion of the 2yr scheme.
Diageo Marketing Leadership Graduate Programme - You may not have heard of Diageo, but you will undoubtedly know many of their products. A major player in the global beverages industry, Diageo count some of the world’s most renowned alcohol brands in their portfolio: Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Gordon’s Gin, Bailey’s, and a vast range of Scotch Whisky. They supply bars, clubs, hotels, supermarkets and other retailers around the world.
Their Marketing Leadership Graduate Programme allows successful candidates to work for two years across different aspects of their marketing department including Brand Marketing; Culture, Media and Digital; Customer Activation, and Shopper Planning and Activation.
Where I can find more information?
Graduate Schemes are not often advertised on LinkedIn, Indeed and other platforms. Their application windows tend to be very short, and forward planning is needed if you want to apply.
Your best bet is to think carefully about specific industries, sectors and companies you would love to work for. Then maybe do the following:
Find THREE companies you feel would be the “dream” employer.
Explore their corporate website and find the Careers Section
Search for any information on Graduate Schemes/Programmes or Early Career Opportunities
Find information on any roles that sound interesting, and roles in the area you want to work in (Marketing, HR, Supply Chain, Strategy, Finance etc).
See what these are asking for: skills, abilities, experience, qualifications
Learn more about the application process.
Then figure out what you need to do to make yourself competitive.
If you’re currently in final year and have missed deadlines, you can always apply for a Graduate Scheme recruiting in 2025. Graduate Schemes are open to anyone with an undergraduate degree, though usually they require a minimum 2:1/2:2.
Securing a place on a Graduate Scheme can be a challenge, but all students are strongly encouraged to apply for Grad Schemes.
We have a track-record in recent years of Business School graduates doing exceptionally well in securing opportunities across a range of different graduate schemes.