find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses

Refine courses

Posted Sept. 17, 2025

Graduate job schemes for masters students

Grad schemes for masters students

Stop press! Graduate job schemes aren’t just for undergraduate students, they exist for masters students too. In fact, many graduate schemes are designed for students who are completing or have recently completed their bachelors or masters degrees, and employers will accept applications from both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Factors to consider when applying for a grad job scheme

If you are considering applying for a graduate scheme you need to consider various factors to avoid disappointment.

Eligibility – most schemes will require a 2.1 at undergraduate, a masters degree could further strengthen your application.

Timing – usually both undergraduate and postgraduate students should apply either during the final year of their studies or straight after completion of their course.

Visa restrictions ­– international university students can usually apply for­ grad schemes, and employers are often willing to sponsor visas. Make sure you check the terms of your international student visa to avoid any issues.

Top UK graduate job schemes

The top ten employers in the UK according to The Times, as voted by students, are PwC, Civil Service, NHS, Deloitte, BBC, EY, J P Morgan, Google, Barclays and Aldi. Here are the top 25 UK employers that run graduate schemes according to the recent Times survey.

Top 25 UK graduate employers 2024
 

2024 ranking

2023 ranking

Employer

Category

1

1

PWC

Professional services & consulting

2

2

Civil Service

Public sector

3

3

NHS

Public sector

4

4

Deloitte

Professional services & consulting

5

7

BBC

Public sector

6

6

EY

Professional services & consulting

7

11

J P Morgan

Banking & finance

8

5

Google

Technology

9

10

Barclays

Banking & finance

10

9

Aldi

Retail

11

8

KPMG

Professional services & consulting

12

20

Lloyds Banking Group

Banking & finance

13

13

HSBC

Banking & finance

14

16

Goldman Sachs

Banking & finance

15

15

Teach First

Social enterprise

16

17

Clifford Chance

Professional services & consulting

17

25

AstraZeneca

Pharmaceuticals

18

18

McKinsey & Company

Professional services & consulting

19

19

L’Oréal

Beauty

20

14

GSK

Pharmaceuticals

21

12

Amazon

Technology & retail

22

29

Arup

Professional services & consulting

23

21

Unilever

Industry & engineering

24

35

A&O Shearman

Professional services & consulting

25

34

Rolls-Royce

Industry & engineering


Do some grad schemes specifically want masters students?

There are some graduate schemes that particularly want to appeal to masters degree students, as they are keen for the advanced knowledge that these students bring to the table. These grad schemes are likely to be in fields such as law, engineering, finance and data science. Many courses in these fields are integrated masters degrees – a single course that covers both undergraduate and masters degree content, for example an MEng (Master of Engineering). These courses quite often include a year in industry or internship between undergraduate-level study (the first three years) and masters-level study (the final year), making them five-year study programs. Students undertaking these courses are likely to be in high demand for graduate schemes.

Masters student have sought-after transferable skills

Even if you didn’t study a directly related masters topic to the grad scheme you are applying for, you may find that having a masters qualification makes you a much more desirable candidate for the scheme due to the transferable and soft skills you will have learnt whilst studying.

The transferable skills you’ll learn on a masters degree include:

  • Critical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Advanced research skills
  • Project management
  • Time management
  • Data analysis
  • Communication skills
  • Leadership
  • Teamwork

Key steps to grad scheme success

  • Research industries and companies of interest.
  • Identify schemes that accept masters students.
  • Craft a cover letter template and update your CV with relevant skills, qualifications and work experience.
  • Apply to 5–10 grad schemes, tailoring an individual cover letter for each.
  • Keep your options open and apply to both large graduate schemes and smaller employers.
  • Practice online psychometric tests, doing presentations and video interviews.
  • Smash the interview!

Looking for that perfect masters degree course? Use our course search to find your perfect postgrad program.

Related articles

The Top Skills You Get From A PG Degree That Employers Love Too!

Universities To Choose For The Best Graduate Prospects

Should I Study A Masters Degree In January?

What Transferable Skills Will You Learn On A PG Program?

What Is A MEng?

Choosing A Job

Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries

1 comment

Tonto Janefrances Sept. 26, 2025, 11:10 a.m.

Thank you that was helpful.

Leave a comment

All contributors must be over 16 year olds

By submitting your comment you agree to our privacy policy.

Categories