We recommend that your journey toward finding your first job after graduation begins with speaking to a Careers Adviser at the Student Professional Development (SPD) team.
The Student Professional Development (SPD) team at Brunel University offers comprehensive support to students and graduates as they prepare for their careers. They provide expert guidance on CVs, interviews, and job applications, help you access internships and placements, and run employer events and skills workshops. SPD also supports entrepreneurship, mentoring, and networking opportunities to help you build confidence and make meaningful connections in your chosen field.
And the best part? They can support you for three years after you graduate!
Please see more information about SPD: Student Professional Development.
So, what’s the deal with Graduate Programmes, Graduate Job and what’s the difference to a “normal job”?
Graduate Programme
A graduate programme is a structured training scheme offered by large organisations specifically and only for recent university graduates.
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Usually lasts 1–3 years.
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Includes rotations, mentoring, and formal training.
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Designed to develop future managers or specialists.
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Highly competitive and typically starts once a year.
Graduate Job
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An entry-level professional job aimed at graduates because it typically requires or prefers a degree.
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You apply for a specific job, not a training scheme.
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Training is usually on-the-job and less formal.
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Available all year round and often less competitive than graduate programmes.
Normal Job (Non-graduate job)
A normal job (or non-graduate job) is any role that does not specifically target graduates and is open to all - you just need to prove that you’re the one meeting the requirements.
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More broadly accessible.
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Training varies widely depending on the employer.
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Can be entry-level, mid-level, or senior, depending on experience.
There are many job‑search websites and portals that specifically focus on graduate jobs and schemes. This list is not exhaustive, but here are a few suggestions to help you get started.
Disclaimer: We don’t receive payment or incentives from these job‑search platforms or recruiters, and they are not official University or Union partners. We also do not have information about their pay or working conditions, so please make sure you carry out your own checks before signing up or applying.