Graduate jobs & schemes in data 2026

Graduate roles in data include data analyst, data scientist, business intelligence analyst, data engineer, and risk or insights analyst. Some schemes rotate you through different areas (analytics, engineering, governance) before you specialise.

A degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, economics, or engineering is often preferred, but many schemes welcome graduates from other backgrounds if you can show strong numerical, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Experience with tools like SQL, Python, R, or Excel is a bonus.

Most open in September and close between November and January, especially at large employers in finance, consulting, and tech. Smaller companies may hire on a rolling basis, so keep checking job boards year-round.

Data skills are in demand almost everywhere. You’ll find roles in finance, consulting, retail, healthcare, technology, telecoms, and government. Many companies also run dedicated data and analytics graduate schemes to develop future specialists.

Yes—data careers tend to progress quickly. Graduates often move from analyst to senior analyst or data scientist within 2–4 years, with opportunities to specialise in areas like machine learning, data engineering, or strategy. Employers often fund further training or professional certifications.