Thinking about applying for a graduate scheme? Here are the deadlines you need to know about.
If you're heading into your final year of uni in 2026 and graduating in 2027, now is the perfect time to start thinking about applying for a graduate scheme. Getting your head around it early takes the pressure off later, and it gives you far more time to weigh up your options.
The good news: you're right at the start of the recruitment cycle for 2027 graduates. Most schemes open in the autumn of your final year, so if you get organised now you won't miss a thing.
Oh and if you're not sure what a graduate scheme is or if you want to do one, we've put together a handy guide explaining the differences between a graduate scheme and a graduate job and tips for applying.
In this article:
When do graduate schemes open for 2027?
If you're wondering what you can do with your degree after you've graduated, a graduate scheme could be the perfect option to help you gain valuable skills and introduce you to the workplace.
Every scheme runs to its own timetable, so if you're planning to apply it pays to keep an eye out throughout your final year. As a rule of thumb, most graduate schemes for 2027 graduates open in the autumn of 2026, run assessments through the winter, and send offers out in early spring 2027. Plenty of employers keep recruiting later into the year too.
A few sectors move earlier than the rest. Investment banking is usually first out of the gate, with many 2027 roles opening between late June and autumn 2026 and some closing as early as October. The big consulting firms have also pulled their 2027 windows forward, and the Civil Service Fast Stream is expected to open around October 2026 and close in early November.
One thing worth knowing: a lot of the biggest schemes recruit on a rolling basis. That means roles can fill up before the official deadline, so it's always best to get your application in within the first few weeks of a scheme opening rather than leaving it to the last minute.
There are hundreds of graduate schemes out there and not all of them will be for you, so it's worth researching the type of programme you're interested in and tracking the specific opening dates for your shortlist.
Graduate scheme deadlines for 2027
We've put together a handy guide showing graduate scheme deadlines for some popular programmes. You can also use this guide as a way to check out graduate schemes and research what you're interested in.
Below is a guide to some of the most popular graduate programmes to help you research your options and plan your applications. Because we're at the very start of the 2027 cycle, many employers haven't confirmed their exact closing dates yet, so use the links to check each scheme's status and set a reminder as soon as applications open.
We've flagged schemes as "Opens autumn 2026" where recruitment for 2027 graduates typically begins in the autumn, "Open/ongoing" where employers recruit on a rolling basis, and given specific timings where they've already been announced. Deadlines can change, so always confirm on the employer's own careers page.
Graduate scheme | Application deadline |
|---|---|
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
The Telegraph Group (Software Engineering) | Opening autumn 2026 |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
McDonald's (finance) | Opening autumn 2026 |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Just Eat (Mobile engineering) | Open/rolling recruitment |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Open/rolling recruitment | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Closed until 2025/2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 | |
Opening autumn 2026 |
Remember, every graduate scheme is different and one might not be right for you — but it never hurts to do your research. You could apply, go to an assessment day, and decide it's not for you, and that's still valuable experience.
If you're graduating soon and thinking about the future you don't need to panic if you don't have it all planned out yet. We've got loads of advice and guides to help you with your life post-graduation including the highest-paying degrees, how much money you'll need to earn to live in London and common interview questions and how to answer them.
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