Graduate Scheme vs Graduate Job: Unravelling the Paths to UK's Professional World
The transition from university to the professional world can often be a challenging experience for many graduates. Among the various terminologies, two of the most commonly heard phrases are "graduate schemes" and "graduate jobs." Though both are designed for recent graduates, they possess distinct characteristics and offer different experiences. Let's delve into the differences:
1. Structure and Duration:
Graduate Scheme: This is a structured training programme offered by many large companies, specifically tailored for recent graduates. They typically last between one to three years. The main aim is to prepare graduates for high-level responsibilities within the company. These schemes often involve rotations across different departments, allowing the graduate to get a feel for various aspects of the business.
Graduate Job: This refers to a regular full-time role offered to recent graduates. It doesn't have the rotational or highly structured training components of a graduate scheme. Instead, it's very much like any other job but targeted at those with little to no experience, with training more specific to the role you've been hired for.
2. Application Process:
Graduate Scheme: Due to their structured nature and the comprehensive training provided, these schemes are highly competitive. The application process can be rigorous, often requiring candidates to undertake assessment centres, aptitude tests, multiple interviews, and group exercises.
Graduate Job: The application process for graduate jobs is generally more straightforward. It might involve an application form, one or two interviews, and occasionally some form of testing, depending on the employer and role.
3. Availability and Sectors:
Graduate Scheme: Predominantly offered by large corporations and prevalent in sectors like professional services, finance, engineering, IT, and retail.
Graduate Job: Available across all sectors and companies of all sizes. Smaller companies and organisations might not offer graduate schemes but will have graduate jobs.
4. Career Progression:
Graduate Scheme: Given their structured nature, completing a graduate scheme often leads to a permanent position within the company, typically at a higher level than entry-level roles. The rotational experience means graduates are well-prepared to take on a variety of roles within the organisation.
Graduate Job: Progression might be more organic. As you gain experience and prove your capabilities, you can climb the corporate ladder, but the pathway might not be as predefined as in a graduate scheme.
5. Intake and Start Date:
Graduate Scheme: Large corporations usually have a specific intake time, often starting in September (though there are exceptions). Recruitment for these positions often begins a year in advance.
Graduate Job: Companies can advertise these roles throughout the year, depending on the business need. There isn't a fixed recruitment calendar, making it more flexible for both employers and graduates.
6. Visa Sponsorship
Graduate Schemes: Many large organisations hold sponsorship licenses and hire many graduates for one intake. They may not always be able to find suitable candidates from the local market. Therefore, a considerable number of graduate schemes offer visas for international students and applicants based outside the UK.
Graduate Job: The size of organisations that hire graduates can vary. Smaller organisations may not sponsor work visas for graduate jobs. Employers also expect candidates to take graduate jobs as soon as possible as they do not have a fixed start date, and for that reason, employers often prefer someone from the local market unless they cannot find a suitable candidate. However, it does not mean that graduate jobs do not offer visa sponsorship. There are many graduate jobs that offer skilled work visas and accept applications from outside the UK.
While both graduate schemes and graduate jobs offer pathways into the professional world for recent university leavers, the experiences they offer can be quite different. Graduate schemes are ideal for those who want a structured entry with a clear progression route within large corporations. In contrast, graduate jobs provide a more immediate, often role-specific entry into the working world, offering flexibility and opportunities across a broader range of companies and sectors. If you need visa sponsorship to work in the UK, you can apply for both graduate jobs and schemes at the same time if they sponsor work visas, as they do not interfere with each other, and doing so will help you increase your chance of getting a job.
