When Do Graduate Schemes Open? A Month-by-Month UK Calendar

The biggest mistake candidates make isn't applying late — it's starting late. Many UK graduate schemes for September 2026 intakes opened in August 2025, and the most competitive banking and consulting roles close before Christmas. This calendar shows typical open-and-close windows by sector so you can plan your energy, not just your deadlines.

August – September: banking and consulting launch

Investment banks and front-office roles open first. By mid-September most bulge-bracket banks are live, and the top consulting firms follow close behind. These are rolling deadlines, which means roles close when enough strong candidates have applied — often weeks before the advertised date.

• Investment banking front office: August – October (often closed by November).
• Sales and trading, research, corporate finance: August – October.
• MBB and tier-2 consulting: August – early January, rolling.
• Big Four strategy and consulting: September – December.

October – November: tech, engineering and FMCG

Technology and engineering schemes open in earnest from October. FMCG, retail and broader commercial schemes also launch now. These sectors tend to keep deadlines open longer, but assessment centre slots fill on a first-come basis.

• Technology (software, product, data): October – April, rolling.
• Engineering, energy and defence: October – February.
• FMCG, retail and media: October – February.
• Big Four audit, tax and advisory: October – spring.

December – January: mid-tier and public sector

December is quiet for new openings but busy for online tests and first-round interviews. January brings a second wave: public sector schemes, smaller professional-services firms, and some late-opening consulting and tech roles.

• Civil Service Fast Stream: fixed windows, typically October and January.
• NHS and public sector graduate management: January – March.
• Mid-tier accounting and advisory: January – April.
• Some consulting and boutique firms: January – March.

February – April: final closes and off-cycle roles

By February most large-scheme hiring is in later stages, but some sectors are still open. This is also when off-cycle and immediate-start roles appear — useful if you missed the main window or want a January start instead.

• Law training contracts (2028 start): close late July 2026, but many open earlier.
• Regional and specialist engineering: February – April.
• Immediate-start and off-cycle graduate roles: year-round.
• Smaller employers and scale-ups: often open only in spring.

What to do if you're reading this late

If your target sector has already closed, don't scatter applications everywhere. Focus on sectors still open, apply to smaller employers with less visible deadlines, and use the time to strengthen your CV and interview answers for next year's cycle if needed.

1. Check which sectors are still live using a graduate scheme tracker.
2. Shortlist 8–12 roles you can realistically complete to a high standard.
3. Prepare your CV and motivation answers before you open any application form.
4. Set calendar reminders one week before each deadline, not on the day.