2026 Graduate Programme - Advisory Services

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

We are looking for graduates for our Advisory teams, who have an adaptable approach and an appetite to learn in a leading Engineering and Professional Advisory services consultancy. We want you to enjoy working in a collaborative environment where you can apply your skills working for a diverse range of clients and projects.

We are recruiting Graduates in the following teams and locations:

• Infrastructure & Economic Advisory: London, Birmingham or Manchester

• Transformation & Digital Advisory: Birmingham, London or Manchester

• Digital Advisory: Birmingham, London or Manchester

• GL Hearn - London

A little bit more about your role and the team…

Working as a Graduate in one of our Advisory teams will mean delivering innovative advice that is actionable and scalable to respond to the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow as well as today.

Projects

Our teams work on some great assignments and as a Graduate working in our Advisory team, you will be helping deliver projects such as:

• UK Government Freeports programme

• Energy Entrepreneurs Fund

• National Highways net zero

• Network Rail climate resilience

• Local Government – combined authorities, local government reorganisation, sustainability and decarbonisation

• Transport – digital capabilities, major projects and Energy – Complex programmes

• Digital transformation programmes including digital strategies for universities and healthcare providers

Our Advisory Teams include:

Infrastructure & Economic Advisory

The Infrastructure and Economic Advisory team are at the forefront of Advisory and Investment Services, providing advice to Clients across a broad range of sectors, and often on first-of-a-kind projects (FOAK) and/or most complex multidisciplinary infrastructure and economic development projects. Our aim is to make WSP the “go to firm” for clients seeking to invest in, acquire, develop, and deliver complex infrastructure businesses and assets that have great growth potential.

Our advice covers:

• Economic analysis and evaluation, economic development strategy, economic impact assessment, industry, and innovation strategies.

• Commercial and Technical and ESG Due Diligence for Investors and Lenders.

• Strategic Advice to Government on critical infrastructure sectors. Advice to Lenders on complex Infrastructure, Manufacturing & Core + assets. Advice to government bodies on business cases, procurement and delivery model systems.

• Commercial/Trade Forecasting, Cost Modelling and Economic Analysis.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Supporting our industry leaders to work across a portfolio of projects.

• Undertaking initial data gathering and analysis for a range of assignments, potentially including market studies, demand forecasting, technical and financial feasibility assessments, and due diligence assignments (for both lenders and equity).

• Accompanying more senior team members on client and site visits in the UK and Europe to assess existing facilities or Construction Monitoring.

• In addition, you will work with our economics specialists advising on a broad range of economic impact assignments. This work will be on projects in both the UK and overseas. You will be required to cover both the quantified economic impacts of various interventions as well as helping to write up the findings in a clear, concise manner. The work will cover a number of different sectors, including those in the public and private sectors.

Transformation & Digital Insights

Our Transformation Advisory team is rapidly growing, fuelled by ambitious goals and a commitment to lasting client impact across diverse sectors. Projects range from implementing sustainability strategies, digital solutions, to designing new operating models that foster growth and efficiency. Each offering unique challenges and requiring close collaboration with clients to deliver tangible and sustainable results.

As a graduate, you’ll work directly with clients to understand their needs and help design tailored solutions. You’ll join experts on assignments in government, defence, pharmaceuticals, and energy, engaging in interviews and workshops that drive meaningful organisational improvements. The variety is a highlight: one week you could help a local council restructure, the next you might support a global business through digital transformation, making this an ideal place to launch your career.

Day-to-day responsibilities could include:

• Preparing presentations, workshop materials, and reports.

• Coordinating workshops and client interviews.

• Assisting with project management, including risk registers and timelines.

• Gathering and sharing client insights.

• Supporting bids and proposals.

• Collaborating with WSP colleagues to integrate specialist knowledge.

• Taking ownership of small workstreams under senior guidance.

Digital Advisory

The purpose of this role is to give graduates the opportunity to work at the forefront of digital transformation, solving real-world challenges that impact communities, infrastructure, and the environment. Graduates will gain hands-on experience in delivering innovative solutions, from shaping strategy to deploying cutting-edge technologies, while working alongside a diverse, multidisciplinary team. What makes this role exciting is the chance to see your ideas turn into tangible outcomes, whether that’s designing new digital tools, helping organisations make smarter decisions with data, or creating strategies that drive meaningful change. It’s a role that offers variety, creativity, and purpose, with plenty of scope to learn, grow, and make a real difference.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Designing and delivering digital strategies and projects.

• Analysing and interpreting data for actionable insights and developing dashboards and digital tools.

• Contributing to stakeholder engagement and research.

• Preparing presentations and client recommendations.

• Taking responsibility for workstreams and developing consulting skills.

Graduates joining in 2026 are likely to be involved in high-profile projects across sectors, which could include, supporting digital transformation for councils, developing data and reporting tools for national infrastructure projects, and shaping digital strategies for universities and healthcare providers, each project offers practical experience in seeing how digital solutions impact society.

GL Hearn (A WSP Company)

GL Hearn provides a path to Chartered Surveyor status via the Valuation Pathway of APC, with a two-year structured programme and two 12-month rotations in Business Rates and Valuation teams. You'll learn directly from senior colleagues, meet clients, and visit sites ranging from retail stores to development fields. Major clients include NHS, Amazon, Sainsbury’s, Puregym, London Borough of Camden, and Peabody.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Gathering evidence to assess market value.

• Managing communication with the Valuation Office.

• Reviewing leases and inspecting development opportunities.

• Conducting financial appraisals.

• Working in multi-disciplinary teams for town centre improvements.

• Assisting with red book valuation reports.

You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team, providing you with a challenging and fulfilling career. In our Advisory teams, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders and collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments.

Graduate Development Programme

Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programmes include core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration and a breadth of on-the-job experience.

Our teams are dedicated to supporting your career growth from the very beginning. Many employees have started as graduates and successfully advanced within the company. We encourage you to achieve chartered status with relevant professional bodies, making your development a priority. You will be fully supported through enrolment in a professional institution’s training agreement, guiding you towards chartered or incorporated status.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:1 in a master’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for.

• Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. This requirement applies to all candidates, inclusive of their background. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage, will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career’s recruitment process.

• You'll be looking to start work in September 2026.

We review applications for our Early Career opportunities on a rolling basis, which means we begin progressing some candidates to the final stages before the application closing date. To ensure your application receives full consideration, we recommend submitting it as early as possible.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.