Graduate options

Graduate options

What graduates do next

Graduate schemes

Lots of companies now offer graduate schemes, they are entry level opportunities for graduates to train within a company. The schemes offer a chance to develop your skills and experience different areas of the business. You will usually do at least one rotation, whereby you move to a different department, however you could be expected to do more. They are usually time bound and last between one to two years.

Don't leave your applications too late, schemes can open as early as the summer before your final year, with deadlines typically around November and December. They are competitive and can often include psychometric testing and assessment centres as part of the selection process, therefore it is important you have a good understanding of how to succeed in this recruitment process. Entry requirements often state a minimum degree classification of a 2:1 or 2:2.

Visit Prospects Graduate Schemes of 2021 for further information.

Graduate jobs

The majority of graduates go on to secure a job and this is a great option if you are ready to start your career. Graduate jobs will allow you to put your degree training into practice and be employed to do a specific role within a company. They offer training but it is less structured than a graduate scheme would be. You can find graduate jobs with both large companies and small and medium size employers (SMEs).

As with the graduate schemes, start your search early as recruitment can take weeks to months.

If you choose this route, make full use of the support careers and enterprise can offer you, such as how to approach your job hunt, CV and Covering Letter reviews, mock interview preparation and more! Check out Advantage regularly, as this is a great place to uncover vacancies and employer events.

Further study

Is there a skill or area of academia that you want to learn more about? Do you need a specific postgraduate qualification for your career choice? If so, then further study could be for you. Check out our Further Study page to understand the types of study options available.

Work for yourself

Not all graduates go on to work for an employer as they are excited at the prospect of working for themselves. This could be as a freelancer or by setting up your own business. The University offers a great deal of support to graduates considering this option, visit our Work for Yourself page for more information or book an appointment with a Small Business Adviser to discuss your ideas.

Internships

If you need some work experience to be able to secure a graduate role, then a graduate internship could be a good choice. This will allow you to work within a specific sector, where you can learn and network with professionals. You will be able to develop your transferrable skills which will be beneficial when applying for future roles.

Gap year

Taking time out after graduation can be a chance for you to reflect and plan for the next stage of your career. Maybe you want to travel or to try out a career first by doing an internship before committing to a specific career. Whatever the reason, if this is for you, spend your time wisely and make sure you have thought about the pros and cons first. Try to close any skills gaps, build your CV, research career options, complete short courses, gain experience and ultimately make this time count.

These are just some of the exciting things our graduates go on to do, but this is by no means an exhaustive list.