Applying for the Graduate Management Training Scheme

We recruit up to five trainees who will be based at our Birmingham campus.

Requirements

Recruitment for the 2026 cohort is open to all graduates who have achieved at least a 2.1 in a first degree in any subject in the past three years (between 1st January 2023 – 1st August 2026), or a postgraduate qualification completed in the same period, having previously achieved at least a 2.1 in a first degree.
You do not need to be a graduate from the University of Birmingham.
You can apply if you are still studying, although if you are successful in the assessment process, your job offer may be conditional pending your final degree classification.
To apply for the scheme, you must be eligible to work in the UK. Please note that under the current immigration rules, the role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa route. In order to be eligible to apply for the scheme, you must have (or reasonably expect to have by the start of the role) Right to Work in the UK permission that would allow you to work for the entirety of the two year fixed-term contract.

Stage 1: Online application

For the first application stage you will need to complete a brief online form and upload a current CV and cover letter through our online jobs system.

In your cover letter you should answer the following questions:

What does working in higher education mean to you personally, and what impact do you hope to make during your time on the graduate scheme?
What is your proudest achievement to date?
Can you describe a time when you showed initiative?

Stage 3: Individual interview

After the assessment centre we will invite successful candidates to an individual panel interview with members of senior management - the final stage of the recruitment process. The interview will last approximately 45 minutes.

Hints and tips

Successful candidates will be those who show the greatest potential through the recruitment process and who show a motivation to work in Higher Education, and in particular at Birmingham.

Do your research

We receive a high number of applications for the scheme. To position yourself well before applying, research the sector and the University. Some good places to start are the Strategic Framework and the Our University pages on the main website.

Also, take a look at what our previous graduates have to say about the scheme and ensure you meet the application criteria.

Your CV

The online application is your first chance to make a good impression, so take time to tailor it to the role and ensure that your CV is up to date.

Demonstrate enthusiasm for Higher Education and be clear on how your own skills and experiences meet our requirements.

Where possible, demonstrate your engagement with Higher Education, for example through work as a student ambassador, course representative, volunteer or involvement in societies.

Use of AI in applications: we review hundreds of applications and shortlist candidates based on their unique perspective, motivations and potential. Cover letters generated through, or edited by, AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT or CoPilot) are easy to identify. They produce generic answers and will not score highly enough to progress. You may use AI tools for research, but all written content in your application must be your own work. Authenticity and originality are key to standing out in this process.

Finally, make sure you check your application thoroughly before submitting it!

Preparing for the Assessment Centre

Before the assessment centre, set some time aside to think about why you want the role and why you would be suited to being a Management Trainee.

For the interviews, make sure you answer questions honestly and with clarity and are able to talk about the experiences you have mentioned in your application.

With the written and group exercises, follow instructions carefully and make sure you ask questions if there is anything that you are unsure about. Also, ensure you understand the requirements of the task before launching in.

In the group discussions we will be looking at how well you can work with others, so make sure you get involved – show both your ability to lead and your ability to listen!

Finally, try to stay calm, focused and positive throughout the day!

For further help with the recruitment process, our Careers Network has advice and information on how to apply for a job.