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.

Is University Degree Worth It UK 2026? Guide with Data

Is a university degree worth it in 2026 UK? This is a big question for students and their families. With tuition fees rising and the job market changing fast, the answer is not as simple as it used to be. This guide uses real data to help you decide.

The Cost of a Degree in 2026

A three-year degree costs around £27,000 to £46,000 in tuition fees alone. Tuition is capped at £9,250 per year for UK students. Add living costs of £800-£1,200 per month, and the total bill can reach £60,000-£75,000 for three years. Most students take out a Plan 2 student loan. You pay back 9% of earnings above £27,295 per year. After 40 years, any remaining debt gets written off.

The Salary Premium: Do Graduates Earn More?

The short answer is yes. According to the Department for Education (2024 data), the median salary for graduates is £42,000. For non-graduates, it is £31,500. That is a £10,500 per year gap. Over a 40-year career, this adds up to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

But the gap varies by subject. Medicine, economics, and engineering graduates earn significantly more. Arts, humanities, and creative graduates earn less — sometimes no more than non-graduates.

AI and the Changing Job Market

AI is changing the graduate job market. A 2025 report from the Institute of Student Employers found that many employers now prefer skills over degrees. Coding, data analysis, and AI literacy are becoming more valuable than a degree in some fields. That said, many top graduate schemes still require a degree. The key is choosing a degree that builds real-world skills, not just theory.

Is a Master's Degree Worth It?

If you are considering further study after your degree, read our guide on master's degree or job UK 2026: which path pays off? We break down costs, salary boosts, and which sectors reward postgraduate qualifications.

The Verdict

A degree is worth it if: you choose a subject with strong graduate outcomes (medicine, STEM, economics, law). You are willing to work hard and build skills alongside your studies. You understand how student loans work and are comfortable with the repayment terms.

A degree may not be worth it if: you pick a degree with low graduate employment rates. You take on debt without a clear career plan. You could get the same job through an apprenticeship or vocational training.

How Padgrad Can Help

Whether you choose university or not, Padgrad helps you find the right graduate jobs, internships, and schemes in the UK. Create your free account and start your career journey today.

By Ori

The Cost of a Degree in 2026

The Salary Premium: Do Graduates Earn More?

AI and the Changing Job Market

Is a Master's Degree Worth It?

The Verdict

How Padgrad Can Help

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