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Applying for the Graduate Training Scheme

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

Requirements

You need to have achieved, or be predicted, either a 2:1 or first-class degree to apply to the scheme.  

Recruitment for the 2024 cohort is open to all graduates who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification between 2021-2024. 

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.  

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:

  1. Why are you interested in a career in Higher Education and, in particular, why at the University of Birmingham?
  2. What is your proudest achievement to date?
  3. Can you describe a time when you showed initiative?

Your cover letter should be no more than 1000 words.

You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for the scheme. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor a visa. 

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Stage 2: Assessment centre

The assessment centre involves a variety of activities designed to enable you to show the skills and qualities that we are looking for in our Graduate Trainees. It is also an opportunity for you to meet members of the senior leadership team and previous Trainees, learn more about working at the University and decide whether a career in Higher Education is for you. The assessment centre will take place over one day. It will be spent in person and will involve activities such as group discussions, individual interviews and a further written task, taking approximately 40 minutes. It is designed to be both enjoyable and challenging.

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.

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