Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and a fantastic city for students. Its hilly pavements are often walked by students from The University of Edinburgh, some of whom might choose to stay in the city after they graduate. Whichever subject you study, there will be a graduate programme waiting for you in Edinburgh. Here are 20 graduate schemes in the city that are being advertised online right now.

1. Accenture

Industry: Professional Services

Salary: Competitive

Accenture is currently recruiting for their Client Delivery Graduate Programme, which will see successful applicants work with a client team to deliver business transformation. As part of the graduate programme, you will receive excellent training and will develop industry-leading specialist skills to keep you up to speed with the latest innovations and delivery practices.

2. Kennedys

Industry:  Law

Salary: Competitive

Kennedys is an international commercial law firm, which specialises in insurance, dispute resolution and advisory services. Their Scotland Traineeship will see participants spend two years in their Edinburgh office, working on both insurance and liability cases. Before starting the traineeship, you must have completed an undergraduate law degree, along with a Diploma in Legal Practice (funded by Kennedys.)

3. Accenture

Industry: Software Engineering

Salary: Competitive

Calling all Software Engineering graduates! Accenture also have a Software Engineering Graduate Programme, which has start dates between October 2020 and July 2021. During this grad scheme, successful applicants will work with some of the most advanced technologies on the market, develop industry-leading specialist skills and help clients around the world. IT skills are essential for this position, so you will need a degree in a relevant subject before applying.

4. EY UK

Industry: Accountancy

Salary: Starting from £27,600 per annum

EY UK are currently looking for graduates for their Business Risk Services Graduate Programme. While taking part in the programme, graduates will work with both Assurance and Consulting teams to help businesses be confident in their systems. This is a three-year placement, and participants will need GCSE’s in English Language and Maths, three A-Levels and an honours degree to be eligible to apply.

5. KPMG

Industry: Accounting, Tax & Audit

Salary: Competitive

KPMG is an excellent graduate employer, with the company having several graduate schemes on offer in locations across the UK. Their Graduate Audit Programme is one of the most popular, and it is something that graduates in Edinburgh should definitely consider applying for. As part of the programme, you will provide companies with advice about their financial accounts and will have all the resources and support you need to tackle each audit experience with confidence.

6. Infographics UK Ltd

Industry: Software Manufacturing

Salary: Competitive

Infographics UK Ltd are looking for enthusiastic future programmers to join their Graduate Programme, which has a flexible start date in the Summer of 2020. The company is leading in its industry and creates specialist business solutions built on Microsoft technology stack. As part of the programme, you will first spend time learning more about the different areas of the business before later working towards additional professional qualifications.

7. Explore Learning

Industry: Education

Salary: £23,000-£25,000 per annum (depending on location)

Explore Learning also has a well-developed graduate programme with positions on offer throughout the UK, including Edinburgh. In this job, you will step straight into the position of Assistant Director at one of the companies learning centres, contributing to four key areas of the business: Sales & Marketing, Management & Business, Teaching and Customer Services. To be considered, you will need a strong degree classification, at least a Grade B in Maths and English GCSE and some experience with working with children.

8. FDM

Industry: IT

Salary: Competitive

FDM is an international professional services company with offices scattered across the world. The company is currently looking for graduates in Edinburgh to take part in their Software Development Graduate Programme, which will see participants take on the role of Technical Consultant. To be considered, you will need a degree in any subject (preferably STEM), strong analytical skills and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Click here to learn more about the role and its responsibilities.

9. Ef English First

Industry: Education

Salary: Competitive

Would you like to opportunity to work abroad after university? Ef English First are searching for graduates for their Graduate Programme, which will see successful applicants teaching English in China. You do not need to have any prior experience in speaking Chinese to apply, and the role comes with numerous benefits, which includes a good local salary and the opportunity to build a portfolio of transferable skills.

10. GWG Associates

Industry: Business, Analysis, IT, Finance

Salary: £23,000 per annum

GWG Associates are currently advertising for their graduate scheme, which will involve a number of applicants being placed in roles within their partner companies. They are looking for graduates who have achieved a minimum of a 2:1 in a numeric based degree and who are proficient in using Microsoft Office product suite, particularly Excel i.e. Pivot Tables and V-Lookups. Click here to see a full list of the roles available.

11. DNV GL

Industry: Various

Salary: Competitive

DNV GL provides world leading business assurance services. They have several graduate trainee programmes on offer, which vary from year to year depending on market conditions. This is another great opportunity if you would like to travel after university, as the two-year programme will involve graduates spending some time working at the company’s head office in Høvik near Oslo.

12. Shoosmiths

Industry: Law

Salary: £25,000-£26,000 per annum

Shoosmiths is a full-service major law firm offering graduates experience in commercial law, Finance & banking, corporate, litigation services and real estate to name just a few. The company is recruiting recent graduates and final-year university students to take up a number of trainee seats in Edinburgh. Over the two-year programme, successful applicants will complete four six-month seats, taking on many interesting and engaging tasks.

13. Microsoft

Industry: Business, Engineering

Salary: Competitive

Would you like the chance to work for one of the largest companies in the world? As part of the Microsoft Aspire Experience graduate programme, you will be equipped with all the knowledge, tools, habits and connections needed to thrive at the company. While Microsoft has various job roles on offer for graduates in different locations, there are four featured roles they hire for in the UK: Specialist, Technical Specialist, Customer Success Manager and Project Manager.

14. Hymans Robertson

Industry: Consultancy

Salary: Competitive

Hymans Robertson are currently looking for graduates to take part in their Trainee Consultant Programme, which offers opportunities in different parts of the business. Successful applicants will qualify as an actuary through the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries during their time with Hymans, with options to complete additional qualifications if necessary.

15. Hydrogen

Industry: Recruitment

Salary: Competitive, uncapped commission

Hydrogen is currently recruiting for their Graduate Recruitment Consultant programme. While in the role, successful applicants will learn the key skills needed as a recruitment consultant which include networking, generating leads, headhunting and qualifying candidates. There are numerous benefits with this scheme; graduates will receive extensive training, flexible working hours, access to incentive trips and much more.

16. DLA Piper

Industry: Law

Salary: Competitive

DLA Piper is an international law firm which offers graduates opportunities to work with them through their Graduate Programme. The company has positions available in each of their UK offices, including Edinburgh. During their time with DLA Piper, graduates will experience a number of rotations within the company’s eight different practice groups and will also get the chance to build an international network.

17. Cundall

Industry: Engineering

Salary: Competitive, plus £1,500 starting bonus

Cundall is an international multi-disciplinary consultancy which operates in over 20 locations across the globe. As part of the company’s graduate training programme, you will work as a consulting engineer and will have a variety of responsibilities in the business. Along with a competitive starting salary and 23 days annual holiday entitlement, you will also be given access to permanent health insurance and the company sick pay scheme. Click here to see the role in more detail.

18. Buro Happold

Industry: Professional Services

Salary: Competitive

Buro Happold is a professional services company that provides consultancy for the design, planning and project management sectors. People who take part in their Graduate Programme will have the opportunity to contribute towards exciting projects, while also having the freedom to innovate, experiment and grow. There are also excellent career progression opportunities with this position. Applications for the 2020 Buro Happold Graduate Programme will open in September.

19. Baillie Gifford

Industry: Various

Salary: Competitive

Baillie Gifford have several programmes on offer for graduates in Edinburgh. Graduates can take their pick from five different roles: Investment Research, Technical Infrastructure, Application Development, Business Operations and Accountancy. Each position comes with a host of benefits and fantastic career progression opportunities. Applications for the Baillie Gifford Graduate Programmes are due to open in September.

20. Amazon

Industry: Various

Salary: Competitive

Amazon often has roles available for graduates in locations across the world, including in Edinburgh. Their graduate scheme sees graduates being recruited for a variety of different job roles, which are often in the Technical, Engineering, Research and Business industries.

Last Updated on March 13, 2023

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