Advertising graduate jobs & schemes 2025

Graduate roles in advertising typically fall into three broad areas: creative (e.g. copywriting, art direction), account management (liaising with clients and coordinating campaigns), and planning/strategy (researching audiences and shaping campaign direction). Some schemes also include rotations through departments. Think about your strengths—creative thinkers might suit creative or strategy roles, while organised communicators often thrive in account management.

Most graduate schemes last 12–24 months and combine on-the-job training with formal learning. You'll work on real client briefs, shadow experienced staff, and gradually take on more responsibility. Some larger agencies run structured cohorts with rotations across departments, while others place you into a permanent team from day one. Expect fast-paced work, a steep learning curve, and exposure to a wide range of brands.

Only if you're applying for creative roles. In that case, a strong portfolio is essential—even if it includes speculative or student work. For other roles (strategy, account management, media), you won’t need one, but you should still be prepared to talk about advertising campaigns you admire, what you’d improve, and how you think advertising influences people. Your thinking is just as important as any visuals.

Advertising is highly competitive, especially at top agencies. To stand out, show clear enthusiasm for the industry—not just through what you say, but in how well you understand the agency’s recent work. Refer to campaigns you admire and explain why they’re effective. Avoid generic applications: tailor each one to the agency, and be yourself. Personality and insight often matter more than polish.

Starting salaries vary, but entry-level roles typically range from £22k–£30k depending on the agency and location. Progression can be rapid if you perform well—many grads move into mid-level roles within 2–3 years. Advertising is known for being meritocratic but fast-moving, so showing initiative and learning quickly can really accelerate your path.