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.

Build a GitHub portfolio UK graduates actually open. Learn which projects to build, how to format your profile, and win more interviews. Sign up free today.

GitHub Portfolio UK Graduates: Projects That Get You Hired

TL;DR

A GitHub portfolio UK graduates use to show real projects beats a CV with no proof.
Three solid projects beat twenty weak ones. Quality wins.
Your README file is the first thing recruiters read. Make it count.
Link your portfolio on your CV and in every application.

Your GitHub portfolio UK graduates build today can decide who gets the job. GitHub says more than 100 million developers use its platform. Gitnux data from 2026 shows over 420 million public repositories. UK employers can check your work in seconds. A strong portfolio shows real skill. A plain CV just tells them what you claim. This guide shows you what to build and how to show it.

GitHub Portfolio UK Graduates: What Recruiters Look For

Recruiters open your GitHub link before they call you. They want proof you can do the job. They check three things fast:

Your pinned projects. These sit at the top of your profile.
Your README files. These explain what each project does.
Your commit history. This shows you work steadily, not in one rush.

You do not need perfect code. You need clear projects that work and that you can explain.

What Projects Should You Build?

Pick projects that solve a real problem. Clone projects do not impress. Build things you would actually use.

Project Ideas for UK Graduates

A budget tracker for your first salary.
A small web app that uses a public API.
A Python script that automates a boring task.
A simple mobile app or game.
A website for a local club or charity.

One good project with clean code beats five copied tutorials. You should be able to talk about every line.

How to Format Your GitHub Profile

Formatting matters more than you think. A tidy profile looks professional. A messy one puts people off.

Five Quick Wins

Write a short profile bio at the top of your page.
Pin your three best projects.
Add a clear README to every project.
Commit at least twice a week.
Remove projects with unfinished code.

Your README should answer three questions. What is the project? How do you run it? What did you learn?

Your profile is like a second CV. Keep it simple. Use the same name as your CV. Add your email so recruiters can find you. A clean profile tells a clear story about who you are.

Where Does Your Portfolio Fit in Your Job Search?

Your GitHub link belongs on your CV and in your applications. It gives employers proof of your skills. Pair it with a strong CV. Use the CV Builder to lay out your experience, then run your CV through the AI CV Checker to catch mistakes.

Recruiters also search for the right graduate CV keywords to pass ATS filters. Your portfolio adds weight to those keywords. Many firms now use AI tools to screen applicants, so clear, searchable profiles matter more each year. See how AI tools are changing graduate recruitment.

If you are new to coding, start with free courses before you build. Our guide to free online courses for UK graduates lists the best places to learn.

The Bottom Line

A GitHub portfolio is one of the best things you can build in your final year. It proves your skills when you have no work experience. It takes time, but it pays off at every interview.

Start with one small project this week. Then add it to your CV. Then apply with confidence. Padgrad helps you prepare every part of your application, from CV to interviews. Sign up free and get 10 credits to check your CV and cover letters today.

By Ori

GitHub Portfolio UK Graduates: Projects That Get You Hired

GitHub Portfolio UK Graduates: What Recruiters Look For

What Projects Should You Build?

Project Ideas for UK Graduates

How to Format Your GitHub Profile

Five Quick Wins

Where Does Your Portfolio Fit in Your Job Search?

The Bottom Line

Ebiwandiko Ebiriraaniridde

Best Graduate Job Websites UK 2026: 9 Sites to Find Work

Public Sector Graduate Jobs UK: Fast Stream, NHS & More

Best UK Cities for Graduate Jobs 2026: Salary & Rent Data