Your guide to graduate schemes in 2025
If you’re a university student or recent graduate, chances are you’ve come across the term “graduate scheme.” It’s a common next step for those leaving higher education, but what it actually involves isn’t always clear.
For many, graduate schemes offer a structured and supported way to transition into the world of work. But they can also feel confusing, competitive, and out of reach, especially if you don’t come from a background where this path is well understood or trodden.
This guide is here to demystify the process. Whether you’re exploring your options for the first time or ready to apply, it will walk you through how graduate schemes work, why they matter, and how to approach them with greater confidence, particularly if you’re from a state-educated or underrepresented background.
What are graduate schemes?
Graduate schemes are structured training and job programmes run by employers—typically lasting between 1 to 3 years—that blend on-the-job learning, classroom elements, mentoring, and rotations across roles.
Compared to standard graduate jobs, schemes usually offer clearer pathways for career progression, the opportunity to trial different specialisms, and formal support structures like peer cohorts and mentors.
How does a graduate scheme work?
1. Starting out
Once you’ve secured a place, you’ll typically start the scheme in the summer or autumn after graduation. You’ll usually join a cohort of other graduates, which means you’re not the only new person starting out in the business at that time. This shared experience can make the transition into the working world a lot less intimidating.
2. A combination of learning and working
Your time on the scheme will likely include on-the-job learning, where you work within a team, take on real responsibilities, and gradually grow your skillset. Many schemes also involve structured training, which might take the form of workshops, technical certifications, or even leadership courses, depending on your industry.
3. Rotations across departments
You can also expect to see rotations in many graduate schemes. This means you might work in multiple departments across the company—perhaps spending a few months in operations, then moving to strategy, then marketing. This approach helps you build a broad understanding of the organisation and figure out where your strengths lie.
4. Progression conversations and mentorship
Throughout the scheme, your progress will be monitored to make sure you’re onboarding smoothly and delivering the standard of work expected from you at your level.
You’ll typically have regular check-ins with a manager or mentor, giving you space to reflect on your performance, set goals, and receive feedback. Many employers also offer career coaching or buddy systems to help new grads settle in. These are often with colleagues that previously completed a graduate scheme like yours.
Typical application process for graduate schemes
Graduate schemes are competitive, and the application process can be rigorous, with several stages to evaluate the hundreds of aspiring graduates that throw their hat in the ring.
It usually begins in the autumn of your final year of university, though some employers open applications even earlier, in late summer.
The process often includes multiple stages:
Online application with CV and personal questions
Psychometric tests (logic, numeracy, situational judgement)
Video interview or virtual assessment
Assessment centre (group tasks, presentations, interviews)
Final interview with senior staff or hiring managers
The idea behind this is to assess more than just academic grades. Employers want to see how you think, how you work with others, and whether your values align with theirs.
Increasingly, employers are looking for potential (not just polish) and are adjusting their recruitment models to attract a broader, more diverse pool of candidates.
For students who might not have had access to professional peers or networking growing up, this process can feel overwhelming. But many employers are now running initiatives specifically designed to make the system more accessible, or just providing greater context on how to perform well in these scenarios.
1. Apply as early as you can
Most graduate schemes open around September–October, and while deadlines might be months away, many recruiters hire on a rolling basis. That means roles can fill before the deadline hits.
Apply in the first few weeks so you can get your application reviewed early on and give yourself the best shot before spaces get snapped up.
If possible, set reminders for different employer’s job listings so you get notified as soon as opportunities come up.
2. Tailor every single application
This is the #1 mistake people make: they copy and paste the same CV or cover letter to every scheme.
In a sea of hundreds, or thousands, of applications, you need to stand out.
Instead, mention:
Why you’re excited about that company specifically
What appeals to you about their graduate scheme structure
A project or value they promote that connects with you
A generic application will always lose to one that feels personal.
3. Use the STAR technique
For application questions and interviews, structure your answers using STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result. This is a great way to make sure you cover all bases during a competency-based question and avoid nervous rambling.
Here’s a tangible, real-life example to help you format your answers for success:
Situation: In my second year at university, I was part of a student-led society organising a regional careers panel for state-educated students interested in law and consulting. Two weeks before the event, our lead organiser had to step back due to a personal emergency.
Task: As the deputy, I had to step up and take full responsibility for managing the event—including finalising speakers, coordinating logistics, and making sure we hit our 100-attendee target.
Action: I quickly restructured the planning by setting up a shared task board and holding short daily stand-up calls to keep the team on track. I personally contacted three backup speakers from underrepresented backgrounds to ensure we maintained the original diversity goals. I also partnered with other student groups to boost promotion across campus.
Result: The event went ahead successfully, with 120 students attending, including many who had never attended a careers panel before. Feedback rated it 4.8 out of 5 for usefulness. One of our speakers later offered mentoring to attendees, which led to internships for two students. The experience built my confidence in leading under pressure while staying focused on accessibility.
4. Practice the tests before applying
Psychometric tests (also known as aptitude tests) are often the first filter used by employers for graduate schemes and lots of strong candidates fail them because they don’t prepare.
Before you apply, you’ll want to practise:
Numerical reasoning
Verbal reasoning
Situational judgment
Game-based assessments (increasingly common)
Sites like Graduates First and AssessmentDay have mock tests that you can practice under timed conditions to mimic the pressure and get actionable feedback on. The more you expose yourself to the style of questions you’ll be working with, the faster and more frictionless your responses will become.
Where possible, avoid your first stab at these tests being for your dream role. Ideally, you’ll have a strong understanding of what these tests measure, look like, and require before starting them for real roles.
5. Use your background as a competitive advantage
You might feel like you’re at a disadvantage if you didn’t go to a Russell Group uni or didn’t intern at your uncle’s firm. But your background builds resilience, along with other incredible qualities that graduate employers will be seeking out.
If you’ve balanced part-time work, cared for family members, or navigated uni without connections, that’s all worth talking about.
Frame it as resourcefulness, independence, time management. These attributes are gold to employers, and they can put you on par with other candidates with more experience.
6. Get as much feedback as you can
Unfortunately, you’re unlikely to get personalised feedback on why you didn’t land a graduate scheme unless you reach the final stages.
But that doesn’t mean you have to go in blind to future applications and interview processes.
There are plenty of opportunities to secure feedback beforehand, including from:
A careers adviser at your uni (they’re free, and helpful!)
A mentor or peer from LinkedIn or The 93% Club
A friend who’s already been through the process
When you become a member of The 93% Club, you’ll receive unrivalled access to the largest network of state-educated professionals who willingly give up their time to support students on applications and CV reviews.
7. Track applications effectively
Effective application tracking can genuinely make or break your graduate scheme chances, especially when you're juggling multiple deadlines, interviews, and psychometric tests across different platforms.
It’s common for students to apply to several schemes to increase their chances of securing one, which means you need strong oversight of:
Where to track your application progress
When to follow up
What stage you're at
What you've learned from each application
We recommend setting up a spreadsheet or a Notion tracker to capture all of this information. Here’s an example of what it might include:
If you like automation, set up email/calendar reminders to nudge you when a follow-up or next step is coming up.
8. Don’t skip the “why this company?” question
Every recruiter asks it. If your answer is “because it’s a top company and I want to learn”, you’re not getting the job.
Instead, dig deeper:
What’s their mission or values? How does this play out in day-to-day ways of working at the company? And what does that mean for you personally?
What do they actually do and how does that relate to your interests in particular? Are there any recent projects you loved? Why did you enjoy them so much?
What part of the grad scheme genuinely excites you? Is there a particular rotation or, learning opportunity you’re enthused by? Why is that?
9. Focus on quality, not quantity
You don’t need to apply to 50+ schemes to be in with a chance of securing one. You’ll burn out, and your applications will suffer as a result.
Instead, pick 5 to 10 companies you’re genuinely excited about. Research them, tailor each application, and prepare properly for the interviews.
You’ll have far better results, and a more positive experience than if you throw spaghetti at the wall and hope it sticks.
Again, these recruiters will be wading through thousands of applications over the course of a few months. If you want yours to be hand selected and progressed, you’ll need the quality of your application to reflect that.
10. Show up for networking opportunities
Career fairs, insight days and employer panels are your chance to make contact and build a positive first impression with employers.
We’ve curated an in-depth guide to event networking for students to give you the best possible chance to creating a lasting impression.
Build your LinkedIn profile
Before you even submit some applications, recruiters will be Googling you. What they find should back you up—not work against you.
Start by creating or updating your LinkedIn:
Use a clear, professional photo (where possible!)
Write a short, genuine summary that explains who you are and what you’re looking for.
Include any part-time jobs, volunteering, society roles, or independent projects.
Follow companies and graduate recruiters to stay in the loop with opportunities.
Also, Google yourself. If anything unprofessional comes up, clean it up. Recruiters aren’t hunting for dirt, but they do check.
Where to find graduate schemes:
What happens after you finish a graduate scheme?
The ultimate goal of most graduate schemes is to prepare you for a long-term role in the company. In many cases, if you perform well, you’ll be offered a permanent position either at the end of the programme or even earlier. Some schemes lead directly into more specialised or senior roles, particularly if you’ve completed additional training or professional qualifications during your time there.
That said, not every graduate scheme results in a job offer. Some organisations treat the scheme as a trial period. But even if you don’t stay on, the experience, skills, and confidence you gain can make you highly employable elsewhere.
Graduate schemes won’t be right for everyone…
Graduate schemes can offer a secure and structured start to your career, especially if you're unsure what you want to do long-term.
The rotational format gives you the chance to try out different roles, and the support available can be invaluable, particularly if you’re entering an unfamiliar professional world.
But they’re not the only route. If you’re more entrepreneurial, prefer smaller environments, or already know what you want to specialise in, you might prefer to jump straight into a standard graduate or entry-level job, apply to a startup, or explore internships, apprenticeships, or self-directed projects.
