Graduating in the UK doesn’t mean you’re automatically hired. Even with a degree, you’re competing with thousands of other graduates for the same entry-level roles. But here’s the good news: companies are still hiring. In 2025, over 180,000 graduate positions were advertised across the UK - up 7% from 2024. The trick isn’t just having a degree. It’s knowing where to look, what to expect, and how to stand out.
What Types of Entry-Level Graduate Jobs Are Available?
Graduate jobs aren’t all the same. Some are structured programs with rotations, training, and mentorship. Others are straight-up junior roles with no fancy label. The most common types include:
- Graduate schemes: These are 12- to 24-month programs run by big employers like PwC, Unilever, and the NHS. They usually include rotations across departments, formal training, and a clear path to a permanent role.
- Graduate roles: These are permanent positions aimed at new graduates, often in areas like marketing, HR, project coordination, or data analysis. No rotations - just a single role from day one.
- Apprenticeships for graduates: Less common, but growing. Some tech and engineering firms offer graduate apprenticeships for people who want hands-on experience while earning a salary.
- Public sector roles: Local councils, the NHS, and government departments hire hundreds of graduates each year for policy, administration, and frontline support roles.
Industries hiring the most graduates in 2025 include tech, healthcare, finance, education, and sustainability. Engineering firms like Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems still run large graduate programs. Meanwhile, startups in AI, green energy, and fintech are hiring fast - often with less bureaucracy than big companies.
Where Do These Jobs Pay the Most?
Salary varies wildly by location and sector. In London, starting salaries for graduate roles in finance or tech often hit £35,000-£42,000. Outside London, the average is £27,000-£31,000. But don’t assume London is always better. After rent, utilities, and transport, a £38,000 salary in London might leave you with less take-home pay than a £30,000 job in Manchester or Bristol.
Here’s what you can realistically expect in 2025:
- Tech (London): £36,000-£42,000 (software, data, UX)
- Finance (London): £35,000-£40,000 (audit, compliance, analyst roles)
- Healthcare (outside London): £28,000-£32,000 (NHS graduate schemes)
- Education: £26,000-£30,000 (teaching assistants, curriculum roles)
- Sustainability & Green Energy: £29,000-£34,000 (consulting, project support)
Remember: graduate schemes often include bonuses, pension contributions, and benefits like gym memberships or travel discounts. These can add 10-15% to your total package.
Where to Find Graduate Job Openings
LinkedIn and Indeed are obvious starting points - but they’re crowded. The real advantage comes from using targeted sources.
- Gradcracker: The go-to site for engineering, science, and tech graduate schemes. Over 80% of UK graduate schemes in these fields are listed here first.
- Reed.co.uk: Filters for "graduate" and "entry-level" make it easy to skip mid-career roles. Great for public sector and admin jobs.
- TargetJobs: Curates listings by industry. If you’re studying psychology, environmental science, or business, this site matches you with relevant roles.
- Company career pages: Don’t skip this. Big employers like Deloitte, BT, and the Civil Service don’t always post on job boards until their schemes open. Set up alerts on their websites.
- University career services: Many universities have exclusive job portals for alumni. Even if you graduated a year ago, you might still have access.
Also check out Prospects.ac.uk. It’s run by the UK government’s careers agency and lists verified graduate schemes with application deadlines, salary ranges, and requirements.
What Employers Actually Look For
It’s not just about your degree class. Employers care more about what you did outside the classroom.
A 2025 survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters found that the top three qualities employers seek in graduates are:
- Problem-solving - Can you think through a messy situation? Give examples from group projects, internships, or even volunteering.
- Communication - Can you explain a complex idea simply? Mention presentations, writing reports, or leading a club.
- Initiative - Did you start something? Launch a campus campaign, run a side hustle, or learn a skill on your own?
One graduate from the University of Leeds landed a role at KPMG not because of her 2:1 in Economics, but because she ran a free budgeting workshop for students during lockdown. That’s the kind of story that sticks.
Also, don’t underestimate soft skills. Employers notice punctuality, reliability, and how you handle feedback. If you’ve held part-time jobs, even in retail or hospitality, frame them as proof you can show up, learn quickly, and work in teams.
How to Apply - And Avoid Common Mistakes
Most graduate schemes have a 3-step process: online application, online test, and assessment center. Here’s how to avoid the most common mistakes:
- Don’t use the same CV for every job. Tailor your CV to the role. If it’s a data analyst job, highlight your Excel and Python projects. If it’s marketing, talk about your social media campaigns.
- Don’t ignore the cover letter. Even if it’s optional, write one. Use it to explain why you chose this company - not just why you want a job.
- Don’t skip the online tests. Many companies use SHL or Kenexa tests. Practice numerical and verbal reasoning tests on JobTestPrep or PracticeAptitudeTests.com. Even 30 minutes of practice cuts your failure rate in half.
- Don’t wait until the last minute. Graduate schemes open as early as July for roles starting the next year. The best roles fill up by October.
One graduate applied to 42 roles in 2024. Only 5 invited him to interviews. Why? He spent 20 minutes customizing each application. The others were copy-pasted. He got three offers.
What If You Don’t Get a Graduate Scheme?
Not everyone lands a scheme. And that’s okay. Many successful careers start with a junior role, not a branded program.
Look for positions like:
- Administrative assistant
- Junior analyst
- Customer success associate
- Marketing coordinator
- Project support officer
These roles often lead to promotions. A 2024 study by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit found that 68% of people in senior roles at mid-sized UK companies started in entry-level positions - not graduate schemes.
Use these jobs to build experience, get references, and network. In six months, you can apply for more advanced roles - sometimes even internal promotions.
Final Tips to Stay Ahead
- Set up Google Alerts for "graduate jobs UK" + your field (e.g., "graduate jobs sustainability UK").
- Join LinkedIn groups for your industry. Many roles are posted there before they go public.
- Attend virtual career fairs. Even if you can’t go to London, most big employers host online events.
- Keep your LinkedIn profile updated. Recruiters search for keywords like "recent graduate," "business analyst," or "project management." Make sure yours matches.
- Apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. Most job ads list "nice-to-haves" that aren’t mandatory. If you meet 70%, apply anyway.
The job market isn’t easy - but it’s not impossible. Graduates who treat their search like a project - with deadlines, research, and follow-ups - win. The ones who wait for the perfect job? They end up waiting too long.
Do I need a 2:1 to get a graduate job in the UK?
Not always. While top firms like investment banks or consulting agencies often require a 2:1 or higher, many others - especially in tech, public sector, and SMEs - focus more on skills and experience. A 2:2 with strong internships, volunteer work, or a side project can be just as convincing. Some companies, like BAE Systems and the NHS, have removed degree classification requirements entirely.
When should I start applying for graduate jobs?
Start in July of your final year. Most major graduate schemes open between July and September for roles starting the following summer. By November, the best opportunities are already filled. Even if you’re graduating in June, begin researching and preparing your CV and cover letter in February.
Are graduate schemes only for certain degrees?
No. While some schemes target specific degrees (like engineering or accounting), many are open to any discipline. For example, companies like Unilever, Barclays, and the Civil Service hire graduates from arts, humanities, and social sciences for roles in marketing, HR, policy, and communications. The key is showing transferable skills - communication, analysis, organization - not your major.
Can international students apply for graduate jobs in the UK?
Yes, but with restrictions. You need a valid visa. Most graduate schemes sponsor the Skilled Worker Visa, but you must be hired before your Student Visa expires. Apply early and check each employer’s sponsorship policy. Some companies, especially in tech and finance, are more open to sponsorship than others. Always confirm visa support before applying.
What if I graduate and don’t find a job right away?
You’re not behind. Many graduates take 3-6 months to land their first role. Use that time to gain experience: volunteer, freelance, take a short course (like Google Certificates or LinkedIn Learning), or work part-time. Employers value initiative. A six-month gap with a clear reason - like upskilling or traveling to gain perspective - looks better than a rushed, mismatched job.