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If you’re considering moving to London after university, then you might be interested in applying for a graduate scheme to help you gain your first step on the post-graduation career ladder.
Benefits Of Joining A Graduate Scheme In London
Hundreds of top companies in London offer these fast-track routes into various industries. Typically these schemes are around 2 years long and depending on the size and type of the company, successful applicants will be working alongside many other graduates who have been accepted onto the scheme at the same stage. This creates a sociable working atmosphere amongst fellow graduate trainees.
Graduate schemes usually begin with an induction of the company, where new candidates will be given an overview of the company and gain familiarity with its processes and clients.
Following this initial period, it is then typical for graduates to experience a rotation of placements in a number of key departments across the organisation. This allows grads to build on commercial knowledge as well as enhancing both technical and soft skills.
Candidates are usually given access to a buddy system, where they receive guidance from a recent trainee, as well as mentoring from a senior-level employee.
Why London?
London is an exciting place to participate in a graduate scheme. Usually the starting salary for candidates is higher than in other areas of the country as it includes London weighting. Many top companies have their headquarters in the capital and choose to intake a higher number of graduates at this location than in their regional offices. This allows candidates a better range of networking opportunities.
How To Apply For A Graduate Scheme In London?
Many graduate schemes require a minimum of a 2:1 degree and some specify a particular discipline depending on the type of role. In addition, some graduate schemes may also require between 280-320 UCAS points.
Typically candidates will fill out an online application form, following which you may be invited to an Assessment Centre, take Psychometric tests, participate in Group Interviews and put together a Presentation for an interview panel.
Often graduate scheme representatives will attend your university campus or be present at regional graduate careers fairs, so you can find out more about specific schemes in person. Alternatively, take a look at the list below to give you an idea of the top companies that offer grad training schemes in a number of key industries.
Accountancy Graduate Training Schemes
The big Accountancy firms operating out of London include top worldwide companies such as PWC, Ernst and Young, Deloitte, KPMG and Baker Tilly.
Banking Graduate Recruitment Schemes
There are many banks that offer fast-track graduate schemes and often an extremely rewarding salary. Positions are available at banks such as Barclays, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, Citi, BNP Paribas, Santander, UBS, RBS, Lloyds, JP Morgan, HSBC, Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank.
Blue Chip Graduate Schemes
Blue chip companies represent the very best in their field. Consequently, it can be difficult to obtain a position within a blue chip company as the competition is extremely tough. However, for those that are successful, the salary and benefits package is excellent and there are often flexible working positions available. Here are some of the blue chip companies that offer a graduate scheme: Standard Life, National Grid, Capita, AstraZeneca, Admiral, Centrica and Aviva.
Consulting Graduate Positions
Whether you’re interested in IT, HR, Management Operations or a different kind of field, there are many consulting opportunities that are available to graduates in London at companies such as McKinsey & Co, Cap Gemini, Accenture and Bain & Company.
Engineering Graduate Training
If you have an engineering degree and fancy working in this lucrative and rewarding industry, then consider a fast-track engineering route. Graduate training schemes exist with companies such as Royal Dutch Shell, Rolls Royce, BP, BMW, BAE Systems, Thales and GKN.
Government Graduate Training
Positions assisting the leadership of the country are extremely rewarding and prestigious. Graduate training opportunities exist with organisations in the capital such as MI5, Teach First, FSA and the Civil Service.
Marketing Fast-Track Graduate Schemes
Excellent communicators who are able to adapt to shifting global trends are needed for marketing graduate schemes. Opportunities exist in a wide range of companies including M&C Saatchi, DDB, WPP, BBH, AMV BBDO, MVF Global, TBWA, Publicis, Ogilvy, Mother and Leo Burnett.
Media Training Schemes
Graduates who would like a career in the rewarding and diverse media industry can apply for a training position at one of the following organisations: BBC, ITV, Sky, The Times, FT, Telegraph, Pearson or The Guardian.
Retail Graduate Schemes
Retail opportunities exist with some huge companies in the UK. Many of them have the possibility of relocation within the UK. Organisations include names with Coca Cola, Diageo, John Lewis, Lidl, Mars, Next, Sainsburys, Tesco, Procter & Gamble and Unilever.
Technology Graduate Trainee Schemes
Those with a degree in a technology-based discipline might be interested in applying for a technology graduate recruitment scheme. Companies offering opportunities include Apple, BT, Google, Microsoft, IBM, Vodafone and Sony.
Once you have decided on the type of company that you’d like to join a graduate scheme with, you should take a look at their application process. Help is available from a number of companies who provide practice assessment techniques and CV-polishing to assist you in getting through the rigorous application process. We wish you the best of luck with your graduate career!