padgrad is a free career platform for UK graduates. It matches jobs to your degree, generates AI-powered CV checks and cover letters, and sends daily personalised job digests matched to your field of study.

Yes. You get 10 free credits on sign-up to use on AI CV checks and cover letters. All other tools — job matching, budgeting, application tracking, rejection logging — are free with no credit card required.

How does the AI CV Checker work?

Upload your CV and paste a job description. The AI analyses your CV against the role requirements, gives you an ATS compatibility score out of 100, and tells you exactly what keywords and formatting changes to make — helping you pass automated screening systems used by UK graduate recruiters.

How many jobs should I apply for as a graduate?

UK graduates typically need to send between 20 and 50 applications to land a role, with top graduate schemes receiving an average of 58 applications per vacancy. Focus on quality over quantity — tailor each CV and cover letter to the role rather than spamming the same application everywhere.

How long does it take to get a graduate job in the UK?

Most UK graduates take between 3 and 6 months to land their first graduate role, though it varies by sector. Consulting, tech, and investment banking tend to have faster hiring cycles. The civil service fast stream and larger graduate schemes can take 4-6 months from application to offer.

What is the average graduate salary in the UK for 2026?

The median graduate salary in the UK for 2026 is around £28,000-£32,000 depending on sector. Investment banking, law, and tech pay the highest (£35,000+), while public sector and charity roles typically start lower (£24,000-£27,000). Regional salaries average 10-20% lower outside London.

How do I write a graduate CV with no work experience?

Focus on transferable skills from your degree — research projects, group assignments, presentations, and coursework. Include volunteering, society memberships, part-time jobs, and any placements or internships. Use Padgrad's CV Builder to structure your CV for ATS systems, then run it through the AI CV Checker to see how it scores.

How are jobs matched to my degree on padgrad?

We scrape thousands of UK graduate jobs daily and match them to over 300 specific degree fields. Whether you studied Biology, Law, Engineering, Psychology, or History — we only show you roles that fit your subject area and send them straight to your daily digest.

Do graduate schemes pay well?

Graduate schemes in the UK typically pay between £25,000 and £35,000 in the first year, with some industries paying significantly more. Law firms and investment banks often start at £45,000-£55,000. Most schemes also offer benefits like bonuses, pension contributions, and professional qualification sponsorship.

How many applications does it take to get a graduate job?

Research from High Fliers shows the UK's top employers receive an average of 58 applications per graduate vacancy. Most successful graduates send 20-40 tailored applications before receiving an offer. Track every application using Padgrad's Application Tracker to spot which types of roles you progress furthest in.

Can I apply for graduate jobs before I graduate?

Yes — most large graduate schemes open applications in September and October for roles starting the following September, so you should apply in your final year. Smaller companies and direct-entry roles tend to hire closer to the start date. Padgrad's daily job digest includes both graduate schemes and entry-level roles you can apply for straight away.

What should a graduate CV include?

A strong graduate CV should include: your degree with predicted or achieved grade, relevant modules and dissertation topic, transferable skills (research, teamwork, communication), part-time work or volunteering, technical skills and software proficiency, and a personal profile. Most recruiters spend under 10 seconds scanning a CV — use Padgrad's AI CV Checker to make sure yours passes the six-second test.

Got a graduate job offer UK? Before you sign, check salary, probation, contract terms, and benefits. 2026 guide to 7 key things every UK graduate must check.

Graduate Job Offer UK: 7 Things to Check Before You Sign

Discover what to look for in a graduate job offer UK. Check salary, contract terms, probation, and more before you sign.

TL;DR

Always check your graduate job offer UK for salary, probation period, and notice terms before signing.
Compare your offer against the UK graduate average salary of £35,000 (High Fliers 2026).
Watch out for restrictive clauses like exclusivity and non-compete agreements.
Use Padgrad to track your applications and compare offers side by side.

You did it. A company wants to hire you. The graduate job offer UK email lands in your inbox. You feel excited — and a little nervous.

Before you sign anything, pause. A job offer is a legal document. The things you agree to now will affect your pay, your free time, and your future career options.

This guide covers the 7 things every UK graduate must check before accepting a job offer. Whether you have one offer or several, these checks will help you make the right decision.

For context on what other graduates earn, read our graduate salary UK 2026 guide first.

1. Check the Salary — Is It Fair for Your Sector?

The first thing everyone looks at. But fair pay depends on your industry, location, and employer size.

According to High Fliers 2026, the median starting salary at top UK employers is £35,000. But this varies hugely by sector:

Investment banking: £60,000
Consulting: £49,000–£53,000
Digital and IT: £33,000
Public sector and charity: £28,000–£30,300
Retail: £25,000–£32,000

If your offer is below the average for your sector, you can negotiate. Most graduate schemes expect some back-and-forth. Ask politely and back it with data.

Also check: is the salary reviewed after your probation period? Some schemes offer a pay rise once you pass probation. Make sure this is written into your contract.

2. Understand the Probation Period in Your Graduate Job Offer UK

Most graduate job offers UK include a probation period. This is typically 3 to 6 months. During this time, your employer can dismiss you with shorter notice.

Check three things:

Length: Is it 3 months, 6 months, or longer?
Notice period during probation: Usually 1 week, but confirm it.
What happens after: Do you get a pay rise? Permanent status? Confirmation in writing?

Probation is normal. But if the period is 12 months or more, ask why. Long probation with no review date is a red flag.

3. Read the Notice Period and Termination Clauses

Your contract will say how much notice you must give if you leave — and how much notice your employer must give you.

Typical notice for graduate schemes is 1 month after probation. During probation, it is usually 1 week.

Watch for:

Garden leave clauses: Can your employer send you home but keep paying you during your notice period? This matters if you want to start a new job quickly.
Payment in lieu of notice (PILON): Your employer can end your employment immediately by paying your notice period. Standard, but know the terms.
Summary dismissal grounds: What counts as gross misconduct? Make sure the definition is reasonable.

4. Check the Benefits Package — Not Just Base Salary

Salary is only part of the picture. A lower base salary with great benefits can be better than a high salary with nothing extra.

Compare these benefits:

Benefit	Why It Matters
Pension contribution	Most UK employers auto-enrol you. Some contribute 8% or more. Check how much they add.
Bonus	Is it guaranteed or discretionary? Performance-related bonuses can add 10–20% to your pay.
Holiday	Minimum is 28 days (including bank holidays). Some firms offer 30–35 days.
Private medical insurance	Common in finance and consulting. Worth £500–£2,000 per year.
Study support	Many schemes pay for professional qualifications (CFA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, SQE). This can save you £5,000–£20,000.
Travel and commute	Season ticket loans, cycle-to-work schemes, or remote working budgets.

Add up the total value. A £33,000 salary with 10% pension, private healthcare, and full study support can be worth more than £38,000 with no benefits.

5. Look for Restrictive Clauses

Some graduate contracts include clauses that limit what you can do after you leave. These can hurt your career later.

Non-compete clauses: These stop you working for competitors for a set time after leaving. Under UK law, non-competes over 3 months are hard to enforce. If yours says 6 or 12 months, push back.

Exclusivity clauses: Some contracts say you cannot have a second job or start a business. If this matters to you, ask for it to be removed before signing.

Intellectual property clauses: Most graduate contracts say anything you invent during your employment belongs to the company. This is standard. But if you have side projects, check the wording carefully.

6. Confirm the Start Date and Location

This sounds obvious, but mistakes happen. Confirm your start date in writing. And check:

Office location: Some schemes have you rotate between offices. Know where you will be based.
Remote or hybrid policy: How many days per week in the office? Is this written into the contract or just a verbal agreement?
Relocation support: If you need to move cities, does the company help with costs? Some offer a relocation allowance of £2,000–£5,000.

If you are moving for your job, read our graduate relocation UK guide for costs and tips.

7. Review Training and Career Development

A graduate scheme is not just a job — it is an investment in your career. Check what training you will get:

Professional qualifications: Will the company pay for ACA, ACCA, CFA, CIMA, SQE, or chartered status?
Rotation structure: How many placements? How long is each? Can you choose your rotations?
Mentorship: Is there a formal mentor programme or a buddy system?
Completion outcome: What happens when the scheme ends? Do you get a permanent role? Is there a guaranteed promotion?

If the offer is vague on development, ask for details before you sign. A good graduate scheme invests in your growth. A weak one treats you like cheap labour.

For more on building your career early, see our graduate first job tips UK guide.

Next Steps After You Sign

Once you have checked all 7 items and are happy with the offer, here is what to do next:

Accept in writing: Send a polite email confirming your acceptance.
Keep a copy: Save the signed contract somewhere safe.
Tell other employers: If you had other applications in progress, let them know you have accepted a role.
Plan your start: Sort accommodation, commute, and any relocation.
Prepare for your first day: Read about what to expect in your first 90 days.

Remember: your first graduate job is a starting point, not a final destination. The skills you build and the people you meet matter more than the starting salary.

Ready to find your next graduate job offer? Create your free Padgrad account and let Padgrad match you with graduate schemes and entry-level roles that fit your skills, location, and career goals. No more endless scrolling through job boards.

By Ori