Quick answer
The best graduate job sites UK candidates use are Prospects, Target Jobs and, for STEM roles, Gradcracker. Your own university's vacancy system is also worth checking. Careers Wales says Prospects, Target Jobs and Gradcracker do not charge candidates to search or apply, so you can use all of them side by side. Choose by the type of role you want, then check them regularly, especially in autumn.
Which site suits which type of role
No single site covers everything. This table sets out what each one says it offers and what it costs you.
| Site | Good for | Cost to candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Prospects | Graduate jobs, graduate schemes, internships, work experience and apprenticeships across a wide range of employers | No charge to use its job search or application platform |
| Target Jobs | Graduate jobs, schemes, internships and events across fields including science, tech, business, engineering and law | No charge, according to Careers Wales |
| Gradcracker | Graduate opportunities for STEM students | No charge, according to Careers Wales |
| University vacancy system (Loughborough's Target Connect is one example) | Graduate schemes, internships, placements and voluntary roles, with email alerts for new postings | Check with your own university |
Gradcracker lists over 5,000 live graduate roles from 196 employers as of November 2026. That figure will change, so look at the live site for the current picture.
If you want one starting point, Prospects covers the widest mix of role types. Add Gradcracker if you have a STEM degree, and add your university's system for roles aimed at its own students.
Whichever route you take, you may also be weighing up further study or funding. CareerEdu offers free scholarship alerts. They are free to join and sit alongside your job search, so you can use them if postgraduate study is on your list too.
How often listings are updated
Most big sites refresh their listings often. Careers Wales says most major UK graduate job sites update frequently, with opportunities posted daily during peak recruitment seasons (September to November).
Checking once a month is not enough in that window. Try to look a few times a week, or switch on email alerts where a site offers them. Loughborough's Target Connect, for example, sends email alerts for new postings.
Graduate schemes: timing and requirements
Schemes are the most time-sensitive roles on these sites.
- Opening dates: Applications typically open from September or October 2026 for schemes starting in summer 2027, with deadlines often running until the end of the year or early January 2027.
- Start dates: Schemes on Target Jobs commonly start between July and September after graduation, and application windows usually open around September and last until the end of the year.
- Early deadlines: Some Gradcracker schemes have deadlines as soon as 30 November 2026 for a September 2027 start.
- Degree requirements: Most graduate schemes require you to have, or be predicted to get, a degree before the programme starts. Some accept any subject, while others ask for one such as engineering, computer science or finance. Some Target Jobs roles ask for a 2:1 or 2:2 or specific subjects.
- Salaries: Gradcracker shows typical 2027 graduate salaries from £28,000 to £37,892, depending on discipline and region.
Deadlines, salaries and entry requirements differ by employer and change over time. Always check the current details on the employer's own listing before you apply.
Internships, placements and smaller employers
For shorter or earlier-stage experience, look at the parts of each site that cover it:
- Prospects lets you search internships and work experience as well as graduate jobs.
- Target Jobs lists internships and events for early-career candidates.
- Your university's system may include placements and voluntary roles as well as internships.
The sources we have used do not single out smaller employers or fully remote roles, and we have no figures on either. Use each site's search filters and keywords to narrow results, and read each listing closely for location and working arrangements. Prospects says it covers a wide range of employers, so it is a sensible place to start looking beyond the household names.
If you have little work experience so far, our guide on how to get a graduate job with no experience in the UK covers what to do while you build it.
A checklist for using graduate job sites
- Decide which role types you want: scheme, direct graduate job, internship or placement.
- Create a profile on one broad site and, if you study a STEM subject, on a specialist one.
- Log in to your university's vacancy system and set up any email alerts.
- Note scheme deadlines in a calendar. Some close in November, so start early.
- Check the degree or grade requirement on each listing before you spend time on it.
- Keep one master CV and adapt it for each role.
- Check the employer's own page for the current deadline and rules before you submit.
- Look at your shortlist a few times a week during September to November.
Where CareerEdu fits alongside these sites
CareerEdu is a free study, scholarships and careers platform for students and graduates worldwide. It is not a place to apply for jobs, so use it next to the sites above rather than instead of them.
Here is what it offers:
- Guides on applying, essays, CVs, interviews, internships and graduate jobs.
- Free scholarship alerts, if you are considering further study or want to fund a course.
If you are still working out where scholarships fit, start with how to find scholarships in the UK. You can also get free scholarship alerts.
Frequently asked questions
Are graduate job sites free to use?
Prospects, Target Jobs and Gradcracker do not charge candidates to search or apply. Check your university's system with its careers service.
When should I start applying for graduate schemes?
Applications typically open from September or October for schemes starting the following summer, and deadlines often run until the end of the year or early January. Some close earlier, so check each listing.
Do I need a degree before I apply?
Most schemes need you to have, or be predicted to get, a degree before the programme starts. Some employers also set a grade or subject requirement, so read each listing.
Which site is best for STEM graduates?
Gradcracker specialises in graduate opportunities for STEM students. Many STEM graduates also use a broader site such as Prospects or Target Jobs, so they do not miss roles.
Job sites help you find roles, and a good CV and interview preparation help you apply for them. If you are also looking at study options, you can get free scholarship alerts from CareerEdu. Before you apply for anything, check the current deadline and rules on the official page.
