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Graduate schemes and direct entry
By Nancy Osazee, Founder
A graduate scheme is the employer's own programme: often a fixed intake, rotations, and a closing date. Direct entry is a normal job that a graduate can do, hired when the team needs someone.
On CareerPilot, the graduate jobs page keeps titles that say graduate, graduate scheme, or grad scheme. A junior title without those words stays on the main jobs list. The Graduate visa is neither of those. It is immigration permission.
Written by Nancy Osazee, Founder of CareerPilot. This is a practical note, not advice about your own visa, contract, or legal case. Read the official page linked on this sheet before you rely on a figure.
How to tell them apart
- Scheme: the advert says scheme or programme, and often one start date for a cohort.
- Direct entry: the advert is a job title, and the start date is when they can hire.
- Graduate visa: permission to stay and work after a UK course. GOV.UK says it lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027, and 3 years for a PhD or other doctorate. You cannot extend it. It is not a job.
Apply to both kinds of job
Schemes are not the only first job. A direct role in a smaller team can start sooner and still be skilled work. Read the duties, not the brand of the scheme.
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On CareerPilot
Filter is the title. University guides on this site link to the Leeds, Bradford, and Huddersfield graduate pages.
Questions
Are internships on the graduate jobs page?
No. The match is the graduate title. Internships and apprenticeships are not added as graduate jobs.
Which cities have their own graduate page?
Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, and Huddersfield. Other cities stay on the UK graduate list.
Does a scheme sponsor a visa?
Only if that advert says so, or the employer assigns a certificate. Use the visa sponsorship pages for that question. Do not assume a scheme includes it.
Sources
Last checked 10 October 2026.