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.

Write a standout graduate cover letter UK recruiters actually read in 2026. Free template included with expert tips and examples to land more interviews.

Graduate Cover Letter UK 2026: Template & Tips That Work

Writing a graduate cover letter UK recruiters actually read is the difference between getting an interview and getting ignored. This guide gives you a free template, expert tips, and the data behind what works in 2026.

TL;DR

83% of hiring managers read cover letters — skipping yours costs you interviews (ResumeLab 2023 data)
A personalised cover letter boosts your interview chances by 53% (TurboResume 2026 data)
Keep it under 300 words, address the hiring manager by name, and show — don't tell — your skills
Use our free template below to write yours in 15 minutes

Why Your Graduate Cover Letter UK Matters in 2026

Some graduates think cover letters are dead. The data says otherwise. A 2023 ResumeLab survey found that 83% of hiring professionals consider cover letters important in their hiring decisions. A more recent 2026 study from TurboResume shows that a personalised cover letter boosts interview chances by 53%.

With graduate job competition in the UK hitting 140 applicants per vacancy, your cover letter is one of the few places you can stand out. Your CV lists what you did. Your cover letter explains why you did it — and why it matters to the employer.

What Makes a Strong Graduate Cover Letter UK?

Recruiters scan cover letters in seconds. Here is what they look for.

1. Personalisation

Address the hiring manager by name. Reference the specific role and company. A generic "To whom it may concern" tells the recruiter you did not bother to research.

Read our guide on graduate CV mistakes UK recruiters notice — many of the same errors apply to cover letters too.

2. Keep It Short

Stick to 250-300 words. Recruiters spend less than 30 seconds reading cover letters. Every sentence must earn its place. No fluff, no filler.

3. Show Evidence

Don't just say "I am a hard worker." Say "I led a team of 5 to deliver a project on time and under budget." Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your examples.

4. Match the Job Description

Read the job advert carefully. Use the same keywords and skills they mention. If they want "project management" and "data analysis", include those exact phrases in your letter.

For more on this, see our guide to graduate CV keywords for ATS — cover letters get scanned by the same systems.

Graduate Cover Letter UK: Free Template

Use this template as your starting point. Fill in your details and tailor it to each role.

[Your Name]
[Your Phone Number] | [Your Email] | [Your LinkedIn URL]

[Date]

[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]

Re: [Job Title] Application

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

I am writing to apply for the [Job Title] role at [Company Name]. As a recent [Your Degree] graduate from [Your University], I have developed the skills and drive needed to contribute to your team from day one.

During my time at university, I [mention one achievement — e.g. led a project, completed an internship, achieved a high grade]. This taught me [skill relevant to the role]. I am particularly drawn to [Company Name] because [specific reason related to the company's work or values].

In [another experience — e.g. part-time job, volunteering, society role], I [another achievement with measurable outcome]. This experience prepared me for [requirement in the job description].

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and enthusiasm align with [Company Name]'s goals for 2026. Thank you for considering my application.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Repeating your CV — Your cover letter should add new information, not repeat your CV bullet points
Typos and grammar errors — 77% of hiring managers say a single typo can cost you the interview (CareerBuilder)
Being too generic — Every sentence should be specific to the role and company you are applying to
Writing too much — One page maximum. Recruiters do not have time for a two-page essay

Next Steps After Your Cover Letter

Once your cover letter lands you an interview, you need to prepare. Read our graduate video interview tips for 2026 to ace the virtual stage. Also check our graduate CV template guide to make sure your CV and cover letter work together.

Start Your Graduate Job Search on Padgrad

Padgrad helps UK graduates find jobs, internships, and graduate schemes — all for free. Create your profile and start applying today.

By Ori