Indian graduates of UK universities
Coal Drops Yard, King's Cross, from the north. Photograph: Andy Li, Wikimedia Commons, CC0, cropped
From an MSc to a UK job in one year: the sectors that hire, their calendar, and your Graduate visa time.
60,179 Indian nationals were granted a Graduate visa in the year to June 2026. Source: Home Office.
The Season
- Graduate scheme applications From August 2026 to January 2027 Most open September or October, banks from August; many deadlines fall in November and December.
- Spring weeks and insight programmes September 2026 to January 2027 For first-years, and second-years on four-year courses; most applications fall in autumn, programmes run around Easter.
- Summer internship applications (summer 2027) From August 2026 to January 2027 For penultimate-year students; many review applications as they arrive and close early.
- Assessment centre season November 2026 to April 2027 First rounds follow deadlines; final assessment days run from November into spring.
- Graduate visa lengths A Graduate visa applied for on or before 31 December 2026 usually lasts 2 years. For applications made on or after 1 January 2027, it is scheduled to last 18 months.
Today, 9 October
This edition is for Indian students and graduates of UK universities, built around the one-year master’s. The editions index has four more.
On a one-year MSc, applications start in week one
A one-year master’s gives you one autumn to apply, and that autumn starts before your first lecture.
Prepare early: most schemes open as early as August and close in October or November (your course begins in early September).
Other sectors follow close behind: targetjobs says most formal graduate programmes open in September or October, for a start date a year later.
More on internships for master's studentsLess on internships for master's students
Internships are a second door, and master’s students can use it. Goldman Sachs opens its summer analyst programme to bachelor’s and master’s students in their penultimate or final year, and reviews applications on a rolling basis.
So split the year in two.
| Part of the year | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Applications to schemes and internships |
| Spring and summer | Dissertation work, and the direct-entry roles advertised all year round |
More on the course and the Graduate visaLess on the course and the Graduate visa
Your visa depends on the course itself: you must have studied in the UK for at least 12 months of a course longer than 12 months, or the whole of a shorter one. On a one-year course, that means completing the whole of it in the UK before the Graduate visa is open to you.
Finance, consulting and tech each recruit their own way
In the City, banks move first and close first. If finance is your aim, have your applications ready in the opening weeks of term, and keep a one-page CV for banks beside the two-page one.
| Sector | When it opens | The first test |
|---|---|---|
| Investment banking | Often August, closing as early as October (targetjobs) | A one-page CV (LSE Department of Finance) |
| Consulting | September or October for most schemes (targetjobs) | A digital assessment, then case interviews (Bain) |
| Big 4 | Autumn; likely closed by December or January (York Careers) | Two online assessments (KPMG UK) |
| Tech | Fixed deadlines and rolling intakes: Google’s 2027 software engineering internship in London closed on 23 October 2026; Softwire expects graduate intakes in March, June, September and November 2027 | An online application, reviewed on a rolling basis (Google) |
Consulting tests how you think. McKinsey calls its version the Problem-Solving Interview: a business case that tests your analytical thinking. Breaking into consulting walks through the case format and the firms’ published steps.
The CV switch: two pages, no photo
Two pages, reverse chronological: the most common UK CV style
A UK CV carries less personal detail than you may expect.
| On a UK CV | What the careers services say |
|---|---|
| Leave off | Date of birth, marital status, gender, nationality and a photograph (Warwick) |
| Language | UK English (Warwick) |
| Schooling outside the UK | Explain your education and its UK equivalent, rather than leaving a recruiter to guess (Manchester) |
| Order | The master’s first, then the undergraduate degree, each with dates and results |
The UK CV format shows a full annotated example, and the template downloads from the same page.
Your Graduate visa year, month by month
around 70% of people on the Graduate route had a pay record within 12 months
Once it is granted, the clock runs whether you are applying or not, so plan the year in stretches.
| Stretch of the visa | Where to put your time |
|---|---|
| Before it starts | You apply from inside the UK before your Student visa ends, once your university has told the Home Office you have finished your course |
| The first months | Direct-entry roles, advertised throughout the year (LSE Careers) |
| The first autumn | The next intake’s schemes, recruiting up to a year ahead (LSE Careers) |
| The middle months | Interviews, offers and the salary check for each role |
| Before the end | A Skilled Worker application from inside the UK |
The salary check matters early.
| The Skilled Worker salary check | In the rules |
|---|---|
| Who counts as a new entrant | If you are on a Graduate visa, or were in the last 2 years, you count as a new entrant for the salary rules |
| Your floor as a new entrant | £33,400, rather than the general £41,700 |
| The going rate | The salary must meet both the threshold and the going rate for the job’s occupation code |
| Switching | A Graduate visa cannot be extended, but you may switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK |
Check each employer on the register of licensed sponsors on gov.uk (opens gov.uk) before you spend a week on its application. On the Home Office register of 5 October 2026, 121,996 employers held a Skilled Worker licence.
Job hunting on a Graduate visa sets out each phase in detail.
60,179 Graduate visas for Indian nationals in the year to June 2026
Graduate route grants to Indian main applicants, by year ending June: 2022, 23,301; 2023, 41,320; 2024, 67,536; 2025, 81,615; 2026, 60,179.
Source: Home Office, Immigration System Statistics, table Data_Exe_D01, main applicants granted an extension on the Graduate route. Download the figures (CSV)
View as a tableHide the table
| Year ending June | Graduate visas granted |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 23,301 |
| 2023 | 41,320 |
| 2024 | 67,536 |
| 2025 | 81,615 |
| 2026 | 60,179 |
Finance, consulting and tech employers with London intakes
- Barclays Graduates in investment and corporate banking Skilled Worker licence on the Home Office register, checked
-
HSBC Graduates in banking, wealth and technology Skilled Worker licence on the Home Office register, checked -
PwC Graduates in audit, tax, consulting and strategy Skilled Worker licence on the Home Office register, checked -
McKinsey & Company Business analysts for client service teams Skilled Worker licence on the Home Office register, checked -
Amazon Graduates in technology and business roles Skilled Worker licence on the Home Office register, checked -
Wise Graduates in engineering, data, finance and servicing Skilled Worker licence on the Home Office register, checked
Logos identify each employer. A listing here is a fact about the employer, not an endorsement, and implies no affiliation.
This week
- Make a one-page CV for banks beside your two-page UK CV
- List five schemes and the date each one closes, before reading week
- Practise one case question aloud, against a timer, with a coursemate
- Write the date your Student visa ends at the top of your plan
Sources
- GOV.UK: Minimum time studied in the UK for a Graduate visa at least 12 months, if your course’s total length is more than 12 months Checked
- GOV.UK: When to apply for a Graduate visa You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires. Checked
- GOV.UK: Who counts as a new entrant you’re currently in the UK on a Graduate visa (or you have been in the last 2 years, and a Graduate or visit visa was your most recent visa) Checked
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker new-entrant salary floor You can be paid 70% of your job’s standard going rate if your salary will be at least £33,400 per year and one of the following applies: Checked
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker general salary threshold You’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £41,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher. Checked
- GOV.UK: The going-rate rule Going rates in Table 1 are per year and based on a 37.5-hour working week. They must be pro-rated for other working patterns, based on the weekly working hours stated by the applicant’s sponsor. Checked
- GOV.UK: Switching from a Graduate visa to Skilled Worker You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa. Checked
- GOV.UK: Register of licensed sponsors: workers This document lists Worker and Temporary Worker sponsors. Checked
- GOV.UK: Graduate visa length (applications on or before 31 December 2026) 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026 Checked
- GOV.UK: Graduate visa length (applications on or after 1 January 2027) 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027 Checked
- GOV.UK: Graduate visa length after a PhD or other doctorate If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years. Checked
- Migration Advisory Committee: Rapid Review of the Graduate Route (Migration Advisory Committee, May 2024) As highlighted above, around 70% of those on the Graduate route have a pay record in the first 12 months of their visa. Read
- LSE Department of Finance: Careers advice (MSc Finance and Economics offer holders) Prepare early: most schemes open as early as August and close in October or November (your course begins in early September).Banks prefer CVs to be one page only. Read
- Goldman Sachs: 2027 Summer Analyst Programme (EMEA) The Summer Analyst role is for candidates currently pursuing a Bachelors or Masters university degree and in their penultimate or final year of study. We review applications on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply as soon as you are ready. Read
- targetjobs: When to apply for graduate jobs Most employers offering formal graduate programmes open for applications in September/October, with a view to graduates starting work the following September/October. ... Applications for graduate schemes in investment banking often open in August and close as early as October. Read
- Bain & Company: Interviewing The application process for a consulting role typically consists of different steps, a digital assessment and then case interview(s). Read
- McKinsey & Company: Interviewing at McKinsey During the Problem-Solving Interview, sometimes referred to as a case interview, we’ll present a business case to evaluate your analytical thinking and approach to solving complex problems. Read
- KPMG UK: Application process (graduate) After submitting your application, you will be automatically invited to complete two online assessments. ... If you are successful at Stage 2, you may be invited to our Video Interview. ... If you are successful at Stage 3, you will be invited to attend the final stage of the recruitment process: Launch Pad, an in-person, half day event. Read
- University of York Careers and Placements: Recruitment time frames May to June: Some schemes may re-open if they have unfilled vacancies. ... Schemes with the "Big Four" professional services companies are likely to close by December/January Read
- Google: Software Engineering, Site Reliability Engineering BS/MS Intern, 2027 (London) Please complete your application before 23rd October 2026. We encourage you to apply as early as possible as we review applications on a rolling basis. ... Currently enrolled in your penultimate/final year of education. Read
- Softwire: Graduate Consultant Software Engineer 2027 Entry-level developers may join at various points throughout the year, please see our open role pages for details. ... Start dates: We are anticipating intakes in March, June, September and November 2027. Read
- University of Warwick Careers: CVs For UK CVs, you shouldn’t include date of birth, marital status, gender, nationality, or a photograph.Check for spelling and grammar, make sure it is UK English if you are applying for position in the UK. Read
- University of Manchester Careers Service: Step 1: Creating your CV The 2 page reverse chronological CV is the most common style of CV for the UK and is suitable for most situations. Read
- University of Manchester Careers Service: CVs for international students You will need to explain your education and grades if you did not do your pre-university education in the UK. What is it equvalent to in the UK educational system? Read
- LSE Careers: Graduate job market You will also find there is more flexibility on when to apply for graduate jobs; opportunities will tend to be advertised throughout the year, recruitment will often take place closer to the time of hireGraduate schemes are competitive, and employers typically recruit up to one-year ahead, starting early in Autumn Term, and sometimes over the summer, so it’s important to check their deadlines and processes. Read
- LSE Careers: Graduate scheme applications Recruitment Timeframes August to January Graduate schemes open, some fixed date, some rolling Formal internship schemes open including parliamentary internships October to April Assessments & offers Traineeship applications June to September Internships, grad schemes begin Smaller organisations in public and private sector hire throughout the year Read
- targetjobs: Graduate scheme applications Many employers set application deadlines in November and December. ... Some employers do not set a deadline and keep their graduate programmes ‘open’ all year or have ‘ongoing recruitment’, but they still expect to receive most of their applications by Christmas. Read
- Lancaster University Management School Careers: Spring weeks and insight programmes They generally take place during the Easter break in your first spring term. They, therefore, require applications in September and October in your first year at university! Note: Only first-year students can apply unless you are on a four-year course, where second-year students can also apply. ... Some schemes will open in July and August! Read
- Piper Sandler: Spring weeks and insight programmes For those that are successful on the Spring Week programme, you may receive an offer to be fast-tracked for a 2028 summer internship. Applicants should be either in the first year of a three-year degree or the second year of a four-year degree, graduating in 2029. ... Applications open from midday on Tuesday 1 December 2026. ... The confirmed dates for Spring Week are April 2027. Read
- LSE Department of Finance: Summer internship applications (summer 2027) They are paid positions, and in many cases can lead to an offer of a full-time position by the employer. These are offered by most investment banks, strategy consulting firms, and other financial and tech institutions. The application process is similar to that for full time positions, although deadlines are usually later in the autumn or January Read
- Barclays: Summer internship applications (summer 2027) The closing date for applications is 31 October 2026. Please note that this vacancy may close ahead of the advertised date due to application volumes, and we therefore recommend submitting your application as early as possible. ... To be considered for this opportunity, you must be in your penultimate year of university. You must be graduating in 2028. ... Please also note that, during your summer internship, you will be considered for a place on our 2028 graduate programme. Read
- targetjobs: Assessment centre season Those recruiters who set deadlines in November and December typically hold first-round interviews and assessments in January and February. Assessment centres are usually held in March and April and job offers made in April, May and June. Read
- KPMG UK: Assessment centre season The dates of our Launch Pad events can be found below: Tuesday 17th November 2026: London Oval ... Wednesday 5th May 2027: Leeds New Dock Hall ... If successful you will have your job offer within 2 working days! Read
- University of Warwick: Degree results Postgraduate Taught Students (awards only), Friday 26th June 2026 ... Undergraduate Finalist students, Thursday 9th July 2026 Read
- University of Kent: Degree results Exam results for finalists and Year In students will be published throughout the day on KentVision, Monday 20 July. Read
- White & Case: Law vacation scheme applications We recruit the majority of our London trainees (on average 80 percent) from our vacation schemes, with up to 25 participants in each intake. ... Spring vacation scheme 5 to 16 April 2027 Who can apply? penultimate-year and final-year law students, final-year non-law students, and graduates from any discipline. When can I apply 24 September 2026 to 6 December 2026 Summer vacation scheme 28 June to 9 July 2027 Read
- Linklaters: Law vacation scheme applications Our Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes are the best route to securing a Training Contract with us. ... Final Training Contract interview: At the end of the scheme, you’ll have a guaranteed interview for a Training Contract with a Partner and Managing Associate. ... Closing Date 03/12/2026 Read
- Greenberg Traurig: Training contract applications (direct) Apply: September to November 2026 ... Applications for our 2029 training contract are now open. To apply, please click here. Applications will close on Monday 30th November 2026 at 23:59. ... We do not run vacation schemes. Applications for our training contracts are direct only. Read
This page is about the UK job hunt and is not immigration advice. For your own situation, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or an immigration solicitor, and check the current rules on gov.uk.
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