Website of the UK government

What options are available to graduates?

Your university or college will be able to help you weigh up your options after graduation.

Subject staff will be able to advise on options for further study, or give you some tips on the best places to look for careers ‘leads’.

During your remaining time in higher education you might want to think about enhancing your employability through voluntary work or other work experience opportunities.

Getting involved with student newspapers, radio stations, sports classes or taster courses might also help provide the kind of experience employers are looking for.

• Voluntary work placements (young people section)
• Volunteering (home and community section)

Planning a career

If you’re planning to get a job after you graduate, it’s best to register early with your university or college’s career service. They will be able to provide advice and resources to help you research careers and job opportunities.

If you’re still undecided about what you want to do, you can try using the Prospects Planner - a tool which can help you identify your skills, interests and motivations, then match them to job types. There’s also career planning advice on Directgov.

• Use the Prospects planner Opens new window
• Planning a career (employment section)

Making the best use of your higher education qualification

If you’re interested in finding out more about the kinds of jobs your higher education qualification might pave the way for, then the academic staff at your university or college will be able to advise you. The Prospects website also has information on options with your subject.

• Prospects: options with your subject Opens new window

Where do other graduates end up?

Prospects compiles an annual graduate destination survey, with useful information what graduates in each subject are doing six months after graduation.

• Prospects: what do graduates do? Opens new window

Finding a job

Your university or college careers service is a good place to start, especially if you’re looking for a graduate training scheme – and it’s also worth checking newspapers.

There’s a huge range of websites with information on job vacancies, along with advice on how to handle CVs, applications and interviews. Prospects and Directgov are just two of them. You can find out what to expect when applying for graduate jobs in particular industries on the WikiJob site - and share your own experiences.

• Prospects: graduate jobs and work Opens new window
• Looking for work (employment section)
• WikiJob Opens new window

Career development and updating your skills

Keeping your skills and knowledge up-to-date is as important for graduates as for everyone else.

Practically, this might be as simple as keeping a keen interest in what's happening in your field - a teacher reading the educational press, for example - or it might involve some further training or study.

This could be arranged by your employer, or you might choose arrange a course for yourself to improve your career prospects or achieve your wider ambitions.

• Getting training at work

How to update your skills

There are lots of ways of finding out what kind of knowledge and skills you need for particular jobs and taking steps to develop them.

Keeping an eye on your industry is key. Stay in touch with how it’s changing, and the sorts of knowledge and skills that are in demand. Looking at trade journals or industry websites will keep you in touch with developments in your industry – and, if nothing else, could impress a future employer. You can also check job advertisements to get a sense of what employers are looking for.

It’s also worth contacting trade or professional associations connected with your sector. An increasing number are emphasising the importance of continuing professional development (CPD), and have developed structured programmes to help members develop their skills.

You can also check job advertisements to find out what knowledge and skills employers are looking for.

Further study

If you’re thinking of continuing with your studies, there’s lots to consider. See ‘Is postgraduate study for you?’ for details.

• Is postgraduate study for you?

Taking a gap year

A gap year can be a good opportunity to broaden your horizons, or simply earn some money.

If you’re going to take any job or placement that comes your way, you can probably get away with leaving applying until around two months before you plan to start.

If, however, you want a specific placement it’s worth making enquiries well in advance. If you’re planning on taking part in a particular gap year scheme, check their deadlines.

• Planning a gap year (young people section)