Technology graduate schemes 2025

Whether you're interested in a specific IT role or would like to get a more rounded experience, there are technology graduate schemes to fit your aspirations

According to High Fliers' The Graduate Market in 2024 report, which questioned leading employers featured in The Times Top 100, recruiters aimed to take on around 3,000 technology graduates. Discover what you can expect if you're looking to join a structured training programme in 2025.

What technology graduate schemes are available?

Most major UK companies running graduate schemes have streams that focus on IT and technology.

As technology plays a vital role in all organisations, you'll find options across all sectors in the following areas:

consulting
cyber security
data science (and big data)
project management
risk
software development
software testing.

These schemes are typically structured training programmes for new and recent graduates, usually lasting between one and two years.

A number of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also take on graduates as they seek to fill skills gaps and build the workforce of the future.

Consider the range of IT graduate jobs to understand what tech careers suit you.

For those with qualifications other than a degree, read about IT apprenticeships.

If you're a student interested in gaining relevant work experience, consider applying for an IT internship.

Which companies run tech graduate schemes?

Accenture - offers a number of streams, including positions in analytics, consulting, digital engineering and manufacturing, modern engineering, strategy, and tech transformation.
Capgemini - choose from various business/consulting, technology consulting and technical roles. Whether you're looking to use your technical degree background as a software developer or technical analyst or are simply enthusiastic about tech as a business analyst or client account manager, there's sure to be a match.
Cisco - by joining the networking, cloud and cyber security specialists on their IT scheme, you'll be involved with the company's software, hardware or security functions.
FDM Group - the technical graduate programme allows you to train with cross-functional teams before specialising in business intelligence, cloud computing engineering, data engineering, robotic process automation, Salesforce developer, software development, software testing or technical operations.
Fujitsu - the programme is designed to develop future leaders, and the streams available include consulting, cyber consulting, project management, software development and testing.

There are also IT graduate programmes in other sectors, including environment, finance, public services, retail, and transport:

British Airways (BA) - if you're hoping to work in data analytics, the airline has streams in both data science and commercial and network analytics.
EY - by joining the tech consulting scheme, you'll get to support other businesses along their digital transformation journey. You could work in data analytics, finance modelling, quantitative advisory services (QAS), or risk.
HSBC - the bank's digital innovation graduate programme gives you the opportunity to work with the latest technologies such as cloud, cyber, data and AI.
MI5 - on the technology graduate development programme (TGDP) you can choose your preferred stream from data science and machine learning, information and cyber security, security engineering, software engineering, and user experience design.
Morrisons - offers a technology scheme for those looking to gain an understanding of how technology is used within a retail business.
Ordnance Survey (OS) - become a technical expert, consultant and leader by choosing a technical programme in data science and analytics, computer science, or data visualisation.
PwC - within its consulting business, there's a need to provide advisory services to clients in a number of areas, including cyber security, data and analytics, and forensic technology.
Tesco - there are four related programmes in cyber security, software engineering, technology product and the general technology scheme.

What will I do on a technology graduate programme?

For general technology graduate schemes, especially those focusing on developing leaders, the programme will typically involve spending time in different departments so you can better understand the tech industry's wide-ranging needs.

However, as technical skills are essential for most roles in this field, it's likely you'll get to choose a specialist area that you'd look to excel in. For example, the two-year FDM cloud computer engineering graduate programme provides you with responsibility for all cloud-related technological tasks, from creating environments to diagnosing and fixing issues with existing systems. Your training will involve developing skills in various software, languages and platforms, including Ansible, AWS, Azure, GCP, Python and Terraform.

HSBC's two-year digital innovation graduate programme allows you to work with a particular technology, such as cloud, cyber, data or AI. While working on these Agile projects, you can build and test the technology and run simulations.

Get an overview of what it's like to work in the UK's IT industry.

What are the entry requirements?

While some employers expect a 2:1, many except those with a 2:2. However, for tech programmes, this typically needs to be in an IT or STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics) subject.

Recruiters may also specify a certain number of UCAS points or grades at GCSE/A-level - for instance, to get onto BA's data science scheme, you'll require a grade B in A-level maths (or equivalent), in addition to a 2:2 degree in a numerical/data science/computer science/applied statistics degree.

When should I apply?

The High Fliers research revealed that applications for tech schemes were up by nearly a third (30%) in 2023/24, so competition for places on these schemes can be fierce.

Most schemes start accepting applications for the following year in September or October and close by the end of the year, although the dates vary between employers.

For instance, the Capgemini recruitment season runs from September to August, while applicants for BA's tech programmes open in October but close two to four months later, depending on the scheme. The OS scheme stops accepting applications at the end of November.

Again, while most schemes have a September start date, this isn't always the case. For example, the HSBC scheme starts in July.

Accenture plans to recruit for its technology transformation roles from March 2025 through to August 2026 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit graduate schemes to get an overview of the standard application process.

What skills will I need for a technology graduate scheme?

If you want to work in this field, you'll need specific tech skills, general business skills and key attributes that leading recruiters look for in candidates.

Tech skills

application development
cloud computing
coding
cyber security
data analysis
data management
data modelling
IT infrastructure
IT support
networking
operating systems
programming languages
project management
QA testing
software development
technical writing
user experience (UX) design.

IT graduate soft skills and requirements

analytical
commercial-minded
communication
creativity
flexibility
interpersonal
leadership
organisation
presentation
problem-solving
product knowledge.

Industry examples

Here are some examples of the skills IT employers are most interested in:

Cisco - they expect their graduate recruits to explain complex technical concepts to stakeholders simply and effectively, possess a high level of attention to detail as well as strong instincts for problem-solving, be a self-motivated learner that can get to grips with new technology, as well as having excellent teamworking skills.
EY - to work in tech consulting, you'll need an analytics mindset to dig deep and find the best solutions, project management and design skills to help transform businesses, the ability to build relationships and grow your network, financial acumen to predict outcomes and solve problems, and the hunger to achieve technical certifications and better understand the impact of risk on a business.
HSBC - the bank is looking for innovative and logical thinkers, creative problem-solvers with a passion for technology, and those with a strong analytical mind. They're seeking collaborators who can speak up and build relationships with people on large-scale projects.

How much will I be paid?

Here's what a selection of recruiters are offering to tech graduates in 2025:

Accenture - £27,500 plus a £5,000 bonus (most locations) for its tech transformation programme (in London, the salary is £33,500 plus a £10,000 bonus).
Capgemini - £30,000 plus benefits for most of its technology programmes.
BA - £35,000 for its data science and digital schemes.
MI5 - £37,446 (London) for its technology graduate development programme.
OS - £26,000.
Tesco - £32,000-£40,000 for its technology-related programmes.

You can expect a technology graduate scheme salary of £26,000 to £40,000.

Find out more

Discover the range of IT courses.
Read about diversity in the tech industry.
Take the Tech Career Quiz from BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.