Finding graduate jobs

Find out about graduate jobs and schemes, recruitment agencies and working overseas.

What are graduate schemes and graduate jobs?

Graduate schemes can be a great start to a career, but they’re not the only route to success.

In a graduate scheme you're likely to be: 

  • working for a large employer
  • following a structured training programme, possibly rotating between different departments and locations
  • working towards a professional qualification
  • starting on a higher salary than many graduate jobs
  • working on a fixed-term contract ranging from one to three years

For graduate schemes, the recruitment process can start as much as a year in advance of the job’s start date. 

Securing a spot on a graduate scheme doesn’t actually guarantee a job at the end; it’s best to check with the recruiter to gain a fuller picture of your prospects afterwards. 

In a graduate job you’re likely to be: 

  • working for a smaller employer, probably in a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
  • learning on the job as there may not be a formal training programme
  • working on an open-ended contract basis

For graduate jobs, the recruitment process tends to start later and have fewer stages:

Understand the recruitment process

Where to find graduate schemes and graduate jobs

  • MyCareerHub – use the opportunity type function to filter results by ‘graduate – immediate start’ or ‘graduate – future start’.

    MyCareerHub (UoE login required)

  • Employer presentations and careers fairs, where you’ll hear first-hand about opportunities and gain insights beyond what’s on an employer’s website. When preparing an application, you can mention contacts you’ve met. Check out our Events page on MyCareerHub to find out our upcoming events:

    MyCareerHub Events

  • Graduate recruitment websites – Prospects, targetjobs and Gradcracker are well-established examples: 

    Prospects

    targetjobs

    Gradcracker (STEM students)

  • Grad scheme directories feature high-profile companies:

    Times Top 100 - digital edition

  • Graduate job matching apps, such as Debut:

    Debut 

  • General recruitment websites – these advertise jobs for all levels of qualification and experience. Examples include s1jobs.com (Scotland) and Indeed: 

    s1jobs

    Indeed 

  • Specialist job sites for specific sectors – covering all levels of qualification and experience. Examples are Goodmoves (charity and voluntary sector) and New Scientist Jobs:  

    Goodmoves  

    New Scientist Jobs  

  • Recruitment agencies are a valuable resource in your graduate-level job search but many employers choose not to use them. Use agencies as a part of your job-hunting strategy, not as your sole approach. 

What are the benefits of working in a SME?

Working in an SME will give you: 

  • early responsibility and the chance to broaden your skillset; in SMEs, roles are more fluid and you are likely to take real ownership of your work, as you may be less closely supervised than in a larger organisation
  • an opportunity to stand out - SMEs are unlikely to hire more than one or two graduates at a time, which means you’ll really have a chance to showcase your talents
  • access to senior management - you could find yourself sitting across from the managing director! This opens up amazing opportunities to learn more about the company and gives you the chance to take your ideas straight to management
  • career progression - SMEs allow you to progress on merit

Where can you find opportunities?

SMEs recruit when they need to, unlike typical graduate schemes which have a set recruitment timetable. This means that opportunities come up throughout the year. Search for opportunities through: 

  • MyCareerHub - look for advertised opportunities and use the "Find employers" tab to search for organisations by size

     MyCareerHub opportunities

  • LinkedIn - Many employers use LinkedIn to advertise their opportunities. Check out our advice on setting up you LinkedIn account:  

       Creating a LinkedIn profile 

  • your contacts - keep in mind that everyone you meet could be a useful resource at some point in your career
  • being proactive and making speculative applications:  

       Creating your own opportunity


Start-ups are businesses (often tech companies) at an early stage of their development, likely to have a very small number of staff, with an innovative product or service and the potential for rapid growth. 

There are agencies that specialise in matching candidates to vacancies:

Hired By Startups

Work In Startups

Edinburgh Innovations is the commercialisation service at the University. They offer a free service, which encourages and supports students and recent graduates to start up, sustain and develop their entrepreneurial journey. There are a wide range of events, competitions, programmes, online courses and resources so you can get involved in this friendly, open community:

Edinburgh Innovations


  • Make sure your English is fluent - you’ll be competing against native English speakers. Learn how you can develop your language skills:

Developing your skills 

  • Develop your networks. Making contact with people who already work for an organisation you’re interested in will not only give you extra insights, but it could also lead to them making a personal recommendation. 

Making connections 

  • Target companies where you will bring added value. Any company that wants your language skills or knowledge of your home culture is more likely to want to hire you. Take advantage of opportunities to talk to employers at our events, and find out about companies’ plans. 

Exploring jobs, sectors and employers  

  • Get work experience in the UK. An internship with a large graduate recruiter would put you in a strong position, but any kind of work experience will help. 
  • Develop your skills. UK employers want to see evidence that you have a range of transferable skills developed outside of your degree as well as within it.  

Build experience 

  • Be aware of graduate scheme deadlines. Large companies recruit the autumn before graduation, with most schemes closing by the end of October.  

Understanding the UK recruitment process  

For advice on making applications see: 

CVs & Applications     

If you plan to look for work outside the UK, see our advice here:   

Finding work outside the UK 


What is a National Insurance Number?

Everyone who works in the UK needs a National Insurance Number (NINO). If you are planning to work in the UK in any capacity, apply for your National Insurance Number as early as you can, as it can take up to 16 weeks to receive it. You can start work without one if your documentation shows you can work in the UK, but you must then apply for one immediately. 

The Government uses the NINO to ensure they take the correct amount of National Insurance contributions and income tax from you.  

Your NINO looks something like this: AB 12 34 56 C. Your number is unique to you and you mustn’t let anyone else use it. 

If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), you may also have been allocated a National Insurance Number, which will be shown on the back of your BRP.

How to apply

To get a National Insurance Number you need to apply online:

Apply for a national insurance number (GOV.UK)     

Applying for a National Insurance Number is free, but some Google searches will direct you to websites that charge for this service. These companies do not offer anything other than completing the online application on your behalf. It may also be a way of them harvesting data as you have to provide a lot of personal information. Don't be misled into using these sites - only apply using the link on the GOV.UK webpage, above.

What is income tax? 

Everybody working in the UK, including students, must pay tax on anything they earn above £12,570 in the tax year, or approximately £1,047 per month on average. If you earn less than the standard personal allowance of £12,570, you don’t have to pay tax. 

However, even if you earn less than this, tax could be automatically deducted unless you:  

  • fill out a Starter Checklist Form (this used to be known as a P46) for your employer (if you have not worked in the UK before or you’re starting an extra job)   
  • give your new employer a copy of your P45 form, which your last employer will give you (if you have worked in the UK before)

Until this information reaches HMRC, your employer may put you on a temporary emergency tax code, which means you will have tax deducted. The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. 

Student jobs: paying tax (GOV.UK)  

Income tax in Scotland (GOV.UK)

If you have paid tax but your total earnings were below £12,570 (your personal allowance), you can claim this back.  

Claim a tax refund (Gov.UK)   

If you are confused or concerned about an income tax issue, you can get free advice from University of Edinburgh Law School students who are running a tax clinic in partnership with the charity TaxAid. Contact them at taxclinic@ed.ac.uk

Scottish Tax Clinic


Finding work outside the UK

Learn how to find work in other countries, including USA and China, and the practicalities to consider.

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