What is a graduate job?

A graduate job is a permanent position you’d get at a company if you have a university degree. In some cases, you may need a postgraduate degree or be required to have done paid work experience. Graduate jobs are designed to help you start your career journey in a particular industry or discipline. Unlike graduate schemes - in a graduate job - you probably wouldn’t be doing rotations across different departments within a company. You’d likely fulfil a specific role and develop your skills and knowledge in that area. Your employer should set out your roles and responsibilities and support you to achieve them. You’d likely have a probation period – these can vary but 3-6 months is standard.

Is it hard to get a graduate job?

The graduate job market can be competitive, but that doesn’t mean it’s hard to get a graduate job. Your odds of landing a role that’s right for you are still good. Finding a graduate job after university largely depends on your motivations, skills, qualifications and salary expectations. Our advice guides can help you get your ideal graduate job no matter which stage of your career journey you’re at. Explore career paths, boost your skills, and learn how to smash the application and interview process with top CV and interview tips, and more. If you want to boost your skills further, try our free online learning tools – Pathways and GradSims .

Can I apply for a graduate job before graduating?

You can absolutely apply for graduate jobs before graduating! Graduate jobs in the UK are typically advertised all-year-round. The best time to apply for graduate jobs is usually in your final year of study. You may spot more immediate start graduate jobs in the summer, during graduation season. It’s wise to apply sooner rather than later to boost your chances of getting a graduate job that meets your needs. It’s also worth noting there’s no set limit on how long after you finish university you can get a graduate job, but you’re more likely to get one up to a few years after you graduate so the skills you learned during your studies are fresher in your mind. It’s never too early to set up job alerts – you can get personalised ones from targetjobs .

Can you get a graduate job with a 2.2?

You can certainly get a graduate job if you graduate from university with a 2.2. Many employers are moving away from viewing a first or 2.1 as the be all and end all. Bear in mind employers in some sectors like finance and law have a reputation for having stricter requirements. With a 2.2, you could still be in with a chance at some places, though! Some employers may specify their requirement is a minimum 2.1. If that’s the case and you have a 2.2, you could try speaking with them (for example, at a career fair where they have a stand) to explain your situation and check if they’re willing to consider you for the role. If your grades suffered due to mitigating circumstances like illness or bereavement, you could still apply to jobs with a 2.1 entry requirement.

How much do graduate jobs pay?

How much graduate jobs pay totally depends on the sector, role, and employer. There’s research to suggest what averages salaries are, but they do vary. To give you an idea, according to 2023 research by the Institute of Student Employers the average UK graduate salary is just over £35,000. Meanwhile, findings from the Department for Education Official Statistics suggest it’s £38,500. Historically, legal, digital and IT, finance and professional services, and health and pharmaceutical graduate jobs have tended to be at the higher paying end of the scale. Remember, it’s not all about your salary – also look at things like bonuses and commission if relevant to your field of work.