Requirements and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university.
• Recent graduation or upcoming graduation within the past two years.
• Strong academic record and demonstrated achievement in coursework and extracurricular activities.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
• Curiosity, eagerness to learn, and a growth mindset.
• Adaptability and flexibility to work in diverse environments and roles.
• Proactive attitude and willingness to take initiative and ownership of tasks.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment.
• Time management and organizational skills to balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Sectors to apply for as a graduate trainee in the uk

• Consulting
• Consumer, FMCG & Retail
• Engineering, Energy & Infrastructure
• Financial Services
• Investment Banking & Asset Management
• Law
• Management & Operations
• Marketing, Media & PR
• Pharmaceuticals & Science
• Public Sector & Charity
• Sales, Recruitment & Commercial
• Technology & IT Infrastructure

READ – Ongoing Graduate Trainee Schemes/Program and Closing Date

Highest Paying Graduate Programme/ Schemes in the UK

• Rothschilds & Co – Private Finance – £65,000. …
• Davis Polk & Wardwell – Law – £60,000. …
• Weil Gotshal & Manages – Law – £60,000. …
• J.P. Morgan – Investment Banking – £58,000. …
• Goldman Sachs – Investment Banking – £52,000. …
• Civil Service Fast Stream – £45,000-£55,000

READ – Ongoing Graduate Trainee Schemes/Program and Closing Date

Rothschilds & Co – Private Finance – £65,000

Rothschild & Co is a multinational investment bank and one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory groups. It is also the flagship of the Rothschild banking group controlled by the French and British branches of the Rothschild family. Rothschild provides M&A, strategy, and financing advice, as well as investment and wealth management solutions to large institutions, families, individuals and governments, worldwide.

The purpose of their graduate scheme is to develop the leaders of tomorrow and to set graduates up with unrivalled connections. They offer positions in Global Financial Advisory and Wealth Management & Trust and take around 160 graduates a year. The most essential skills they look for in their applicants are good communication, drive and ambition, creativity, teamwork, execution excellence, comfortable with numbers and sound judgment. Applications are open for any graduates who have achieved at least a 2:1.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

Davis Polk & Wardwell – Law – £60,000

Established in 1849 in the U.S, Davis Polk is a white-shoe, international law firm with over 900 lawyers worldwide. In case you are wondering what a white shoe law firm means; it is just an old-fashioned term for the most prestigious, well-established law firms. In 2021, Davis Polk’s reported close to $2 billion in gross revenue. Do they fit the bill for what a white shoe firm is? You can bet your last pound they do.

The graduate scheme (training contract programme) offered at the firm’s London office focuses on the corporate and credit practices of the firm and is offered to only four successful applicants every year. The first year base salary of £60,000 rises to £65,000 in the second year and then £160,000 on qualification.

If you intend to engage in this programme for their training contract starting in 2025 you should apply to their vacation scheme first because they will only recruit from their vacation schemes.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

Weil Gotshal & Manages – Law – £60,000

Founded in 1931, Weil has provided legal services to some of the largest public companies, private equity firms and financial institutions for 90 years. Today, they have approximately 1,100 lawyers in offices around the world, advising clients globally on their most complex Corporate, Restructuring, Litigation and Tax and Benefits matters.

The graduate schemes are designed to help the graduates reach their potential as quickly as possible through constant exposure to high calibre work. The firm takes an open and transparent approach to progression with a structure that makes sure every graduate gets the best start in their legal career. For a top player in the game, Weil does not ask for much or set stringent conditions. The firm looks to recruit candidates from all universities and degree disciplines and their academic requirements are AAB at A-Level or equivalent and a 2:1 degree (obtained or predicted).

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

J.P. Morgan – Investment Banking – £58,000

Over the last 200 years, J.P. Morgan has evolved to meet the complex financial needs of some of the world’s largest companies as well as many of the smaller businesses driving industry change globally and locally. If you partake in their graduate scheme, you’ll get the chance to experience their commitment to helping businesses and markets grow and develop in more than 100 countries.

To increase your chances of success on your application you must convince them that you have created, excellent communications skills, drive, passion, individuality and great academic achievements. They are offering over 200 positions in Asset Management, Finance, IB Risk, Investment Banking, Operations, Private Banking, Sales, Trading & Research, Securities Servicing and Clearing, Technology and Treasury Services. The scheme is also available in their South West, London and Scotland locations.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

Goldman Sachs – Investment Banking – £52,000

This company needs no introduction – everyone has heard of Goldman Sachs – but just to reiterate, Goldman Sachs is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm.

The New Analyst Programme – graduate scheme – offered by Goldman Sachs is a full-time programme for both graduates and students in their final year. As a participant in the scheme, you will embrace the role of an analyst where you will learn about their businesses, develop connections, build career-enhancing skills, and most importantly how to be a financial analyst. Their graduate scheme is open to graduates from any field of study, and they don’t expect you to have had any previous work experience in the field. In the UK, this programme is offered in the Birmingham and London offices.

Civil Service Fast Stream – £45,000-£55,000

The Civil Service Fast Stream is the UK government’s accelerated leadership development programme that provides talented graduates from a range of backgrounds with the experience, skills and knowledge needed to become future leaders of government departments.

The Fast Stream consists of 15 different leadership and specialist development schemes for graduates to choose from. The opportunities are nationwide, with the possibility of you finding a scheme that’s right for you – whatever your degree subject.

Whether you’re a final year undergraduate, an existing graduate or a degree apprentice, you’ll find that applications are open to everyone who meets the nationality requirements and have a class 2.2 degree or above – as such you’ll most likely qualify for many of their schemes.

If you participate in this scheme you’ll be working for The Times Top 100 Number 1 Graduate Employer.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld – Law – 57,500

Akin Gump is an international law firm established in 1945 with its headquarters in Washington DC. It has over 1000 lawyers in 20 offices worldwide. Applicants for their graduate schemes must have a strong and consistent academic record and be on track for, or have obtained, a 2:1 degree at minimum. You’ll also need to demonstrate you are solution-driven and interested in fast-paced business law. In the second year of your scheme, your salary will increase to 62,500 You’ll need to make your application shine brightly as they only offer 6 slots.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

Milbank – Law – 57,500

Milbank is a premier international law firm handling high-profile, complex cases and business transactions through 12 offices worldwide. The firm has over 700 lawyers working in these offices across Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States.

If cash is the main goal then you cannot go wrong with Milbank. To get an offer you’ll need to prove to them that you not only have strong academics, you also possess excellent interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, that you are ambitious, intellectually curious and have a genuine interest in their practice areas. If you have (or are predicted) a 2.1 or above in any degree discipline you will satisfy the criterion of strong academics.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

Royal Bank of Scotland (also now known as NatWest Group ) – Investment Banking – £54,000

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) serves more than 40 million individuals and institutions through 30 different brands. Its main divisions include U.K. Corporate Banking, U.S. Retail and Commercial banking, U.K. Personal Banking (through the NatWest and RBS brands), and Markets and International Banking, which is the wholesale banking business of RBS Group.

Few organisations can offer the choice of schemes that RBS offers to graduates. These include Business & Commercial Banking, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Corporate & Institutional Banking, Global Transaction Services (GTS), GBM Banking, Operations, Marketing and Technology. Applicants with a 2:2 degree can get into RBS depending on the programme they target.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

British Petroleum (BP) – Oil & Energy – £50,000

If you join one of their programmes, they promise that you’ll enjoy real responsibility from day one and the freedom to choose your path. The base salary starts from £35,000 and can get up to £45,000. There is also a sign-on bonus which starts from £3,000 – £5,000. Furthermore, you have the possibility of earning a discretionary yearly bonus. All graduate opportunities at BP are subject to receiving a 2:1 degree and they welcome applications from non-UK nationals. There are six steps you have to successful scale before you get an offer at BP: application form, situational judgment questionnaire, psychometric assessment, on-demand video interview, technical interview and final assessment.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

TPP – IT – £50,000

TPP is a global digital health company with over 7,000 organisations using their solutions to care for over 50 million patients. Their software is used across all health and social care settings, including GPs, emergency departments, hospitals and mental health services. Consequently, you can describe them as nothing short of juggernauts in their industry. The company processes a billion transactions daily – more than the London Stock Exchange and Visa combined.

You can take part in their graduate schemes in their offices which are based in Horsforth, a vibrant suburb of Leeds. They offer several schemes where you can earn at least £50,000. A career at TPP will challenge you every day as in your first few weeks you will be solving real-world problems!

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Aldi – Retail – £44,000

The Aldi Graduate Area Manager scheme allows you to fast-track to the rank of area manager, a role which comes with a VW electric car and a competitive salary. The salary starts at £44,000 and can rise to £81,415 in year 5. On the scheme, you will be trained in everything from store operations and financial administration to logistics and property management. Aldi wants graduates who are self-motivated, driven, and positive in their approach and have or will have a 2:1 degree. Applicants also need to have a driving licence and the right to work in the UK.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

Shell graduate trainee scheme

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

Rolls Royces Graduate scheme

At Rolls-Royce Submarines, we’re leading the way in developing cutting-edge marine defence technology and we need brilliant engineers across a range of specialisms to help us push boundaries and uncover new innovations in our field.

Rolls-Royce Submarines are set to provide the nuclear reactor plants to power the next generation of submarines. As a result, we’re expanding our site in Derby and opening a new site in Glasgow, creating hundreds of new engineering and manufacturing opportunities.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN APPLICATION

Full list of 2024/2025 Graduate Programme in UK and US

To view full list, click here