Graduate schemes are generally offered by larger organisations. To secure a place on a graduate scheme you will typically need to begin applying around August to December of your final year at university, ready for next year's intake, which is usually around July to September time. It’s worth noting that although graduate schemes may advertise a set closing date, they can actually close before this, if they’ve received sufficient applications. It’s always worth applying sooner rather than later. If you miss the deadline you will probably have to wait another year to apply.

Securing a place on a graduate scheme can be very competitive and it means the application process is extensive. You can expect to complete application forms, submit a CV, do a video interview, take psychometric tests and participate in assessment centres. Once you have secured a place on a graduate scheme they generally have very structured training programmes. Often there are opportunities to gain professional qualifications whilst working, which is an added bonus. Also, if you’re not exactly sure what you want to do within a given industry, graduate schemes are really useful as you may get the opportunity to rotate round the company and learn about different aspects of the business.

It’s also worth noting that if you do secure a place on a graduate scheme, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee a job offer on completion. Programmes run for a set period of time, roughly between 12 to 36 months. This can make them very high-pressured opportunities, as even though you’ve made it through the application process, it doesn’t stop there as you’re still competing with other graduates to be hired at the end of the scheme. The roles can be demanding and working long hours is common.

Although there are many positive aspects of graduate schemes, they don’t suit everyone, and they represent only a fraction of the opportunities out there.

The majority of graduates go into what are sometimes called direct-entry or graduate jobs which occur across all sectors and organisations. A graduate job is one which you wouldn’t normally apply for until you’re nearing the completion of your studies, as the employer will want you to start within a few weeks of securing the role.

It will mean that you have the worry of not having secured a job as you’re approaching the end of your degree, but these kinds of roles are advertised throughout the year, so you aren’t restricted to the graduate scheme application timeframes. The application process can still be very competitive, employers will all have slightly different hiring practices but they are very unlikely to have as many application stages as graduate schemes. If you are offered a graduate job, you’ve been hired to perform the role more or less immediately you begin the job. You would still expect some form of training but in a far less structured way. Graduate jobs aren't typically advertised as prominently as the major graduate schemes, which have large budgets to spend on recruitment, so instead you will have to put more effort into searching for these opportunities.

Whether you're looking for a graduate scheme or a graduate job, always do your research into the kind of company you'd like to work for and make sure you don't miss any opportunities advertised.

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Diane Richardson has worked in Careers at Lancaster for over 15 years. She is responsible for analysing graduate destination data, quality assurance and manages the Student Engagement Team.

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