Graduates seeking employment are being advised to explore local job opportunities first as a way to build their careers. Recent data indicates that the competition for graduate positions has reached an all-time high, with some well-known UK companies reducing the number of spots available in their graduate programs. However, employers and experts in graduate recruitment have emphasized that there are still jobs available, although they may not be concentrated in major UK cities.
According to forecasts from the UK government, the country will need an additional 11 million graduates by 2035. Last year, nearly 950,000 individuals graduated from university, yet many have found it challenging to secure the roles they desire. One graduate shared with the Muara Digital Team that they felt like giving up on finding employment after applying for 647 jobs before finally landing one.
The Institute of Student Employers reported that competition for graduate jobs has hit a record high, with a 15% increase in applications. According to recruiter Reed, the number of graduate roles advertised has dropped by 70% compared to two years ago, as major firms such as Deloitte and KPMG have reduced their graduate schemes.
Grant Thornton, one of the UK’s top 100 graduate employers, mentioned that hiring for new graduates used to take from September to Easter, but now most positions are filled by the end of the year.
Richard Waite, director of people at Grant Thornton, noted that early applications have never been higher. The company, which operates 20 offices across the UK, received over 17,000 applications for 420 graduate roles in 2025. “If you’ve got five roles, you don’t want 1,000 candidates applying,” he said. “You know when you’ve got a certain number that you close that down to new applications.”
He added, “The marketplace is tough and you need to be on it early and apply as soon as possible to be in with the best chance.”
The broader UK job market has also experienced challenges, with vacancies decreasing and the number of people on payrolls dropping.
While graduates may overwhelm big employers with applications, some regional companies are facing a “skills shortage” due to a lack of applicants. A public sector organization in south Wales told the Muara Digital Team that while they receive many applications for roles in HR or communications, attracting graduates for specialist positions has been difficult.
“When we’ve tried to recruit for finance, we’ve had fewer applications or the level of qualification isn’t quite there,” said Julie Stokes of Cardiff Capital Region, a body that works with south Wales’ 10 local authorities.
Instead of focusing solely on large, multinational companies, Ms. Morgan believes graduates should consider smaller, less-established organizations. “Graduates are looking to join those big organisations that can expose them to lots of opportunities both developmental and within their portfolios,” she added. “But the advice I’d say to graduates is look at all organisations, even those that are relatively new.”
A specialized graduate recruitment agency hosts job fairs to connect graduates with companies that need to fill professional roles, showcasing that opportunities exist beyond the obvious choices. “We speak to employers who say ‘we need more applications, we’re not getting enough,’ said event organizer Owain James of graduate recruitment firm Darogan. “Not because the opportunities aren’t good, but because they just aren’t as well known as an employer and maybe young people struggle to find those opportunities.”
About 500 people attended a recent Darogan recruitment event in Cardiff. An independent careers support body highlighted that creative industries, business, and tech are the UK’s biggest growth areas and will require more graduates. Careers Wales also noted that life sciences and the energy industry are seen as the fastest-growing sectors in Wales.
“There’s been a lot of maybe doom and gloom about the prospects of a graduate,” added Mr. James. “There is still a lot of early talent opportunities out there and there are companies who still want to invest in young people. For me, it’s less about the industry than maybe how well established you are within that industry.”
One company at the graduate recruitment fair is construction firm Knights Brown, which has two recent starters working on energy projects near their home in south Wales. “For me, it’s more being around my family and friends,” said 22-year-old Neave Davies, who is working near her hometown in Caerphilly county after graduating as an engineer from Swansea University.
“After working away in university, I really wanted to come back home and stay within Caerphilly and also be able to build things at home and help the communities that I’m also a part of.”
“My grandpa was always a builder, so I’ve always really enjoyed the building aspects and being outside, and through school I just enjoyed maths and physics.” She works alongside quantity surveyor Jack Little, who combined an apprenticeship with a degree at the University of South Wales and now “luckily” works five minutes from his house.
“You can work on projects that you can relate to, and come to work and feel proud knowing you’re delivering something for the community and everyone will benefit from, and you can say I had something to do with that job right there,” he said.
“I applied for 647 jobs after uni until I got one”
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