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Graduate job vacancies

Find job search platforms, guidance and strategies for securing graduate employment in the UK and internationally.

 

Popular pages on the careers website

What is a graduate job?

A graduate job can be broadly defined as any job a graduate does. However, some graduate jobs require a degree in a specific subject as an entry requirement.

Graduate schemes are structured training and development programmes. These schemes are typically one to two years in duration, resulting in a permanent role at the end. They’re common among larger “blue-chip” employers, mainly in the corporate sector. However, some exist in the public sector.

  • Many employers offer graduate schemes aimed at students in their final year of study
  • Most schemes have application closing dates in the autumn term, months before graduation.

An alternative to working for a large organisation is working for a Small or Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) (fewer than 250 employees). SMEs represent one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy.

Access graduate positions directly

Handshake - search for the latest graduate vacancies and placements advertised by employers working directly with the University.

Careers fairs at the University - speak directly with employers offering:

  • graduate roles
  • internships
  • placements
  • sector-specific opportunities.
Graduate job websites and job boards
Popular graduate job websites
  • Prospects.ac.uk – Official graduate careers website offering job listings, career advice, and personalised tools.
  • TargetJobs –Split into careers advice and graduate opportunities. It offers profiles, sector information, and a large vacancy database.
  • Milkround – Graduate schemes, internships, apprenticeships, personalised job alerts, and careers advice.
  • Handshake – Graduate jobs, internships, and placements advertised through the Careers team.
  • Gradcracker – STEM focused website for graduate roles, placements, internships. Also covers a range of functional business roles.
STEM, sector-specific and specialist sites

Here’s a selection of sites you can use to get started with your job search.

  • Gradcracker - STEM placements, internships, and graduate roles
  • Jobs.ac.uk - Education and academic roles
  • GAAP Web - Job opportunities in Finance
  • Law Jobs - Legal sector roles
  • Work in Charities - UK jobs board dedicated to the charity sector
  • Inside Careers - Finance-focused career guides, graduate vacancies, employer profiles, and events

If you can’t find any roles which appeal to you don’t worry, there are many more sites you can use. You can research sector specific websites for your chosen industry by using the ‘Employers’ section on the Job Profiles pages on Prospects. Pick a role you’re interested in and then go to the Employers section where you’ll find links to websites listing relevant opportunities.

General job boards

The following sites are more general. Make sure you filter down the results to get to the graduate roles. Using keywords such as, ‘Graduate’, ‘Junior’ or ‘Trainee’ often helps.

Researching employers

Use the following websites to research companies and get clear information about the graduate schemes on offer. You’ll also gain real employee insights into the different organisations and an understanding of workplace culture and values.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a UK scheme. They bring together businesses, universities, and graduates to work together on innovation focused projects.

How KTPs work:

  • A business partners with a university or research organisation
  • A skilled graduate, known as a KTP Associate, is employed to deliver a specific project, working within the company, supported by academic experts
  • The project helps the business improve performance, develop new products, or address strategic challenges

Visit the KTP website for further details.

Student Circus

The University of Salford has partnered with Student Circus to support students and graduates with the following:

  • Global jobs boards for graduates seeking opportunities outside the UK
  • A curated UK jobs board for international students
  • Career Ignition Hub – a great resource for all students to kickstart your career
  • Immigration Guide and Country Guides with up-to-date visa information

Global Job Opportunities

Explore roles in 29+ countries, including:

  • China
  • South-East Asia
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • USA

UK employers recruiting international students and graduates. Examples include:

  • KPMG
  • Deutsche Bank
  • McKinsey & Company
  • Land Rover
  • Siemens

Additional Support

  • UK Immigration Guide with visa FAQs
  • Visit their covering hiring trends, employers, and visa updates

Access Details

Important: Student Circus is a Third-Party platform who have partnered with the University of Salford but are not part of the University. By signing up to Student Circus you are agreeing to their Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and for your data to be kept on Student Circus’ database for four years. You’re doing so at your own risk. Please ensure that you have read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before continuing.

Job hunting in the North West

The North West is popular choice for graduates thanks to the strong jobs market and access to vibrant towns and cities. Use the following websites to discover opportunities. 

  • Greater Jobs – Vacancies with local authorities across Greater Manchester
  • Building Futures – Local government jobs in Liverpool City Region
  • Lancashire County Council – Job opportunities in Lancashire
  • National newspapers (The Times, The Independent, Guardian, Telegraph). Accessible online via the Library

Researching employers

It’s important to research prospective employers before applying for a graduate job and especially before attending an interview. Researching companies can help you decide whether the employer or sector is right for you. Here are some suggestions to help you get started.

Useful research methods

  • Company websites (mission statement, values, vacancies, culture, social media)
  • LinkedIn – for sector news and to build your professional network  
  • Informal networks: family, friends, colleagues
  • University employer events – look out for events organised by your school 
  • Professional bodies (sector-specific information, job listings, member organisations)
  • National and regional careers fairs

Speculative job hunting

After researching employers you’re interested in, you may find that only some are advertising vacancies. If a role isn’t advertised but you believe you’d be a good fit, consider approaching companies directly. This approach can be described as a speculative application. 

Here are some tips to get started:

  • Reflect on how your skills and knowledge align with the organisation’s goals
  • Create a tailored CV and cover letter
  • Clearly explain your motivation and value

 For further advice on this go to the Prospects Guide for writing a speculative application.

Networking and social media

Using social media platforms can help when looking for a job. They can often help you:

  • access opportunities
  • build networks
  • showcase your skills.

By networking you may also uncover unadvertised roles.

Useful platforms

  • LinkedIn – Search jobs, follow employers, join sector groups, and build your professional network. Use our dedicated guide to make the most of LinkedIn.
  • X (Twitter) and Facebook – Follow employers and industry conversations
  • Alumni Groups – Join the Salford Alumni network and find alumni from a particular course or country

Recruitment agencies

Recruitment agencies work with employers to fill roles in specific industries and locations. They can be a useful resource for students and graduates, offering access to a range of opportunities. Agencies are paid by employers, so there’s no cost to you as a candidate.

Here are some key things to know about recruitment agencies:

  • You can get the most out of an agency by keeping them updated on your skills and career goals
  • Some recruitment agencies focus on specific industries. Find out which ones could be good to use for your industry
  • Permanent and temporary roles are advertised
  • Communicate regularly with your recruiter
  • You can find specialist recruitment agencies on the Agency Central website

Placements, internships and work experience

Gaining work experience as a student can help you build practical skills, confidence and an insight into the workplace. It can also strengthen your CV and improve your chances of securing future roles.

Opportunities often include:

  • Work placements during your degree
  • Internships
  • Vacation schemes and employer insight events
  • Work shadowing, where you observe a professional in their place of work

University support

  • Contact your School Office to find out how to contact a Placement Officer to learn more about placements
  • Use Handshake to search for internships and placements

Speak to a Careers Adviser

Get guidance from our friendly team of Advisers. 

Open to current students and Salford Alumni only.