Early Careers by Sector

How to use this page

This is a starting point. Each sector below has a short summary of the routes in, the employers who hire, and the qualifications or professional bodies that matter. Where we have written a full guide, you will see a link to it. Where we have not yet published a dedicated article, the summary here gives you enough to start researching on your own.

You do not need to pick one sector and stick to it. Many applicants apply across two or three related sectors (for example, banking and accounting, or engineering and tech). The application skills transfer. The psychometric tests overlap. The interview preparation is similar. What changes is the research you do on each employer and the language you use in your motivational answers.

For the full picture of how applications work across all sectors, see our guide on applications and assessments. For the apprenticeship route specifically, see our complete guide to apprenticeships.

Law

The sector in brief

Law firms hire through vacation schemes (for students), training contracts (two-year graduate programmes leading to qualification as a solicitor), and solicitor apprenticeships (a six-year route combining work and study). Since the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), you can also qualify without a traditional training contract, though most large firms still run structured two-year programmes.

Routes in

Key employers

Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Freshfields, Allen & Overy (A&O Shearman), Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. Mid-tier and regional firms also hire in volume.

Professional body

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulates solicitors and sets the SQE requirements. The Law Society is the professional body representing solicitors.

Full guide

How to get into law

Investment banking and finance

The sector in brief

Banks and financial services firms hire through spring weeks (first-year students), summer internships (penultimate-year students), and graduate analyst programmes (final-year students and graduates). The sector is among the highest-paying and most competitive. Applications open early, often in September of your final year, with some closing by November.

Routes in

Key employers

Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Morgan Stanley, Citi, Deutsche Bank.

Professional body

No single regulatory body governs all finance roles. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates the industry. Professional qualifications like CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) are relevant for some roles but are not required at entry level.

Dedicated guide

Not yet published. Spring weeks and summer internships are the main way in, so start with our guide to placements, internships, and spring weeks.

Consulting

The sector in brief

Consulting firms hire graduates into analyst or associate roles. The work involves advising clients on strategy, operations, technology, or organisational change. The sector splits into strategy consulting (McKinsey, Bain, BCG), management consulting (Accenture, Deloitte Consulting, Capgemini), and specialist boutiques. Case study interviews are a core part of the selection process.

Routes in

Key employers

McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Accenture, Deloitte, Capgemini, Oliver Wyman, L.E.K., PA Consulting.

Professional body

No single regulatory body. The Management Consultancies Association (MCA) represents UK consultancies.

Dedicated guide

Not yet published. Consulting applications lean heavily on assessment centres and case exercises, and our Deloitte and PwC employer guides cover their consulting routes.

Technology

The sector in brief

Tech roles span software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, product management, and IT support. Employers range from large tech companies to startups, and from the tech divisions of banks and retailers to dedicated software firms. The sector values demonstrated skills (portfolios, projects, coding tests) alongside or instead of formal qualifications. Apprenticeships and bootcamps are common routes alongside degrees.

Routes in

Key employers

Google, Microsoft, Amazon, BT Group, Accenture, Deloitte (tech division), Sky, BBC (technology), Monzo, Revolut.

Professional body

techUK is the trade association for the UK tech industry. Professional registration through the British Computer Society (BCS) is available but not required at entry level.

Full guide

How to get into tech

Engineering and manufacturing

The sector in brief

Engineering spans mechanical, electrical, civil, aerospace, chemical, and software disciplines. Employers hire through graduate schemes (often leading to chartership), degree apprenticeships, and direct-entry technician roles. The sector has a strong apprenticeship tradition. Many roles do not require a university degree, particularly at technician level.

Routes in

Key employers

Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Jaguar Land Rover, Network Rail, Dyson, Siemens, Arup, Mace, Laing O'Rourke.

Professional body

The Engineering Council sets the standard for professional registration (Chartered Engineer, Incorporated Engineer, Engineering Technician). EngineeringUK promotes engineering careers to young people.

Full guide

How to get into engineering

Accounting and professional services

The sector in brief

Accounting firms hire through graduate schemes (leading to ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualifications), school-leaver apprenticeships, and entry-level accounts assistant roles. The Big 4 (PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG) are the largest graduate employers in the UK. Mid-tier firms (BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM) also hire in volume. You do not need an accounting degree to enter. Most firms accept graduates from any discipline.

Routes in

Key employers

PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM, Forvis Mazars.

Professional bodies

ICAEW awards the ACA qualification. ACCA awards the ACCA qualification. CIMA awards the CIMA qualification (management accounting). All three are recognised by employers. The route you take depends on the firm and the role.

Employer guides

We have dedicated guides to each of the Big 4: Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC.

Civil Service and public sector

The sector in brief

The Civil Service hires through the Fast Stream (a graduate leadership programme), apprenticeships, summer internships, and direct-entry roles at various grades. The NHS, local councils, police forces, and government departments also hire at entry level. The public sector is one of the most accessible employers for people without degrees. Many roles hire based on skills assessments rather than academic qualifications.

Routes in

Key employers

Government departments (HMRC, Home Office, DWP, MoD), NHS, local councils, police forces, Armed Forces.

Professional body

No single body. The Civil Service Commission oversees recruitment principles. The Civil Service Careers site lists all routes.

Dedicated guide

Not yet published. Many Civil Service roles use the Civil Service Judgement Test, covered in our guide to situational judgement tests. For apprenticeships, see our complete guide to apprenticeships.

Media and creative

The sector in brief

Media includes journalism, television, film, publishing, advertising, PR, and digital content. The BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and major publishers run structured graduate schemes and apprenticeships. Smaller production companies, agencies, and startups hire directly. Portfolios and demonstrated work (a blog, a YouTube channel, a student publication, a social media presence) carry significant weight alongside or instead of formal qualifications.

Routes in

Key employers

BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Guardian Media Group, Penguin Random House, WPP agencies (such as Ogilvy), Publicis, Edelman (PR).

Professional body

No single regulatory body. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) represents journalists. The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) represents PR professionals.

Dedicated guide

Not yet published. Use the information above to start researching. Check employer careers pages directly.

Healthcare

The sector in brief

The NHS is one of the largest employers in the UK. It hires through degree apprenticeships (nursing, allied health professions), graduate management training schemes, and direct-entry roles (healthcare assistants, administrative staff, support workers). No degree is required for many NHS roles. The NHS also runs medical, dental, and pharmacy training routes, which follow a different structure from the routes described on this page.

Routes in

Key employers

NHS Trusts, private healthcare providers (Bupa, Nuffield Health), social care organisations.

Professional body

The NHS Careers site lists all routes. Professional registration is through bodies like the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Dedicated guide

Not yet published. Start with NHS Careers for full route information.

Retail and FMCG

The sector in brief

Retail and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies hire through graduate management schemes, apprenticeships, and direct-entry roles. Retail management schemes are among the most accessible graduate programmes, with many employers accepting any degree classification or no degree at all. FMCG companies (Unilever, P&G, Nestlé) run highly competitive graduate programmes in marketing, supply chain, finance, and sales.

Routes in

Key employers

Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Sainsbury's, John Lewis, Unilever, P&G, Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Diageo.

Professional body

No single regulatory body. The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is relevant for marketing roles. The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) is relevant for supply chain roles.

Dedicated guide

Not yet published. Check employer careers pages directly.

Routes at a glance

Here is a quick-reference table showing which routes are available in each sector.

FAQ

• Do I need to pick one sector before I start applying?↓

  Do I need to pick one sector before I start applying?

  No. Many applicants apply across two or three related sectors. The application skills are transferable. What changes is your research and your motivational answers. You can keep your options open through the autumn application window and narrow down once you receive interview invitations.

• Which sector is easiest to get into?↓

  Which sector is easiest to get into?

  There is no single answer. It depends on your qualifications, your location, and your interests. Retail management, the Civil Service, and healthcare tend to have the most entry-level openings and the fewest formal qualification requirements. Banking, law, and strategy consulting are the most competitive at graduate level. Engineering and tech have strong apprenticeship routes that bypass the graduate competition entirely.

• Can I switch sectors after starting?↓

  Can I switch sectors after starting?

  Yes. The skills you build in one sector (project management, data analysis, communication, client handling) transfer to others. Many people start in one industry and move to another within three to five years. An accounting qualification is recognised in every sector. A software engineering skillset applies in banking, retail, healthcare, and media.

• Which sectors pay the most at entry level?↓

  Which sectors pay the most at entry level?

  Investment banking pays the highest graduate starting salaries (around £60,000 in London), followed by law at top firms and strategy consulting (£50,000+). Engineering, tech, and accounting graduate schemes typically pay £28,000 to £35,000. Entry-level roles in retail, the public sector, and healthcare typically pay £25,000 to £30,000. Our graduate schemes guide and entry-level jobs guide break this down further. Pay rises with experience and qualifications in every sector.

• Which sectors hire school leavers directly?↓

  Which sectors hire school leavers directly?

  Engineering, accounting, retail, healthcare, the Civil Service, and tech all hire school leavers through apprenticeships and entry-level roles. Banking and law offer school-leaver routes (degree apprenticeships and solicitor apprenticeships) but in smaller numbers. Consulting and media have very limited school-leaver routes.

• Do I need a degree for every sector?↓

  Do I need a degree for every sector?

  No. Engineering, tech, retail, healthcare, the Civil Service, and accounting all have routes that do not require a degree. Banking and law increasingly offer apprenticeship routes alongside degree-based programmes. Consulting and strategy firms are the most likely to require a degree, though even this is shifting.

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