You're graduating - so what's next?

In the UK, around 500,000 students finish an undergraduate degree every year. Getting that degree and leaving university is a major milestone – and like with any big moments in life, it can feel overwhelming to think about what comes next and making those big choices.

With graduation season in full swing, we have broken down some of the routes you can take once you've got your degree.

Finding a job

You might be sure of your dream career, or just be ready to get some experience – either way, getting that first job after university can feel like a daunting task.

If you’re not sure what you want to do yet, you can search job profiles to see what sounds like something you’d enjoy, or take a skills assessment to discover what careers you could be suited to. When you’ve decided on an area, you can start looking for vacancies. Search online job boards, company websites, or sites like LinkedIn to see what opportunities are out there.

Before you apply, make sure your CV is up to date – and, if you can, try and tailor it to the role or company you are submitting it to. This goes for a cover letter, too. You should write a new one for every job you apply for to make sure it is relevant and personal to the role. A lot of vacancies now require an online application for, which will combine your CV and a cover letter. Always read the job description and research the employer beforehand to see what they are looking for – and to personalise your application.

If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to interview, be that in-person, over the phone or via video. Interviews are your chance to make a good impression, but also to see if the company or organisation is a good fit for you.

Remember you can also do an apprenticeship after graduating. Apprenticeships are real jobs that allow you to earn a wage while you learn and train. They can take between 1 and 5 years to complete, depending on the level.

Most importantly, don’t be disheartened if it takes longer than you expected to get that first job out of university: the job market can be tough, but keep persevering for that right opportunity.

Graduate schemes

A graduate scheme is an entry level training programme you can apply for if you have a degree. They usually last between 1 to 4 years, and give you hands-on experience of a company.

You can find graduate scheme opportunities in most employment sectors, and you don’t have to go into an area related to your degree. Some graduate schemes may ask for a specific subject, but many employers are looking more for your higher-level thinking skills. Just some of the sectors where graduate schemes are popular are:

• accounting
• banking and finance
• healthcare
• engineering
• law
• media

You'll find a lot of graduate schemes are advertised between September and November, but some can be all-year round. Many of them will be highly competitive and include several stages in the application process, starting with an initial form and then potentially including psychometric tests, assessment days, and numerous interviews.

To strengthen your application, you can try to get an internship or some work experience, do lots of research on the company you are applying to, and practice tests, interviews, and presentations.

Postgraduate study

There are lots of reasons you might decide to continue your education after finishing an undergraduate degree. Postgraduate study can give you the chance to get more knowledge in a subject you enjoy, develop your skills, or get a qualification you need for your career (like teaching or conversion courses to law and medicine.)

There are 2 main types of postgraduate study - taught courses and research degrees. Taught courses give you a postgraduate certificate, diploma or master's qualification, whilst you'll get a master's or a PhD from a research degree.

You can often apply to courses up to a year before starting, so it is best to start exploring your options early – including funding. You will usually need to submit a personal statement and references from academic staff.

There are opportunities to join full-time or part-time courses. You can also study through flexible and distance learning.

Taking a break

Some people may choose to take some time before getting a job or continuing their studies. A gap year is a way to develop yourself and your skills before taking that next step in your education or career - it can make a big statement about you as a person and can help you get into certain careers.

Just some of the benefits to taking a year out are to give yourself time to think about your career plans and what you want in life, earn some money and improve your skills and CV, and to use that time to travel or do other activities that support personal growth.

You can use a gap year to volunteer for a cause you care about, get a paid job to get some work experience, or even travel or work abroad. All these experiences can be used in job applications to discuss what you’ve learned and developed through doing them.

Don’t forget the National Careers Service is here to help you work through these big decisions. You can chat to an adviser online or via the helpline on 0800 100 900 (lines are open every weekday from 8am- 8pm and between 10am-5pm every Saturday), or check out our dedicated careers advice on our website at https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice .