Career Planning Tips for Masters Students

When Should I Start My Career Planning?

If studying a full-time Masters programme of twelve months’ duration you should start exploring future options as soon as possible. Some opportunities may require you to make job applications shortly after beginning your course of study.

If your course is longer and includes a professional placement you may wish to focus your efforts on researching potential placement opportunities and updating your CV, prior to starting your course.

Here are four steps that can help you achieve your career goals:

Step One: Explore Career Options

Step Two: Identify Graduate Job Vacancies

Step Three: Make Effective Job Applications

Step Four: Job Selection Process

Step One: Develop Self-Awareness and Explore Your Career Options

Whether you are studying a new subject area or continuing in an existing one, taking the time to reflect on your strengths, values, personality and interests, can be beneficial to explore what a fulfilling career may look like to you.

Developing Self-Awareness

Access our Self-Awareness resources, including online tools and self-reflection exercises to help you explore and evaluate different career ideas and options.

Explore Career Options

Start by exploring the range of careers open to you. Use trusted careers platforms to research different sectors, understand typical roles, and compare pathways so you can begin identifying options that fit your skills and interests. Have a look at:

The Sector Information on the Prospects website will help you to explore a wide range of graduate professions
Target Jobs Graduate Career Sectors
Bright Network’s Career Path Guides

_{Step Two: Identify Graduate Job Vacancies}

When are graduate vacancies advertised?

Large graduate recruiters open graduate applications early, often a full year in advance, while SMEs recruit as and when they need someone. Understanding these different timelines helps you plan ahead and stay ready for fast‑moving opportunities.

Recruiter Type	Opening Dates	Closing Dates	Key Features
Large Graduate Recruiters	September 2026 for September 2027 entry	Closing by December 2026	Structured cycles and early deadlines
Investment Banks	Very early (September)	As early as October 2026	Fast timelines and high competition
SMEs (ongoing recruitment)	All year round	Short turnaround	Hire when vacancies arise
SMEs - Graduate Schemes	Autumn	December 2026 - March 2027	Only a small number of SMEs run grad schemes
SMEs (budget-driven hiring)	Late Spring - early Summer	Variable	Hiring increases after budgets are set

Which websites should I use to search for graduate vacancies?

Here are some suggestions of websites that you may find useful:

Gradcracker (Science/Engineering vacancies)

Grad & Post Grad Jobs

graduatejobs.com

Graduate Recruitment Bureau

Surrey Employability Hub

You can also browse subject-specific job sites by career sector on our Exploring Your Career Options guide.

These sites are likely to advertise both permanent graduate vacancies as well as placement opportunities with a wide range of high-profile graduate recruiters.

Where are the vacancies for students studying a Masters degree?

Don’t limit your job search to vacancies that specify a masters degree as an essential requirement.

Many UK recruiters don't differentiate between candidates with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. They will often advertise a graduate scheme which is open to both but always check the specific requirements set by each employer, as these can vary between organisations and schemes.

Will there be opportunities to engage with graduate recruiters when I begin my studies at Surrey?

We plan a programme of careers events involving high-profile graduate recruiters. Find out more about careers events and activities offered to Surrey students on our Employer Events page on MySurrey.

If you'd like to have a chat about your career options and discuss job vacancies which interest you, book an appointment with our Career Development Advisers via the Surrey Employability Hub to explore your thinking and get support with your next steps.

Step Three: Make Effective Job Applications

Firstly, start by drafting a CV that you can use when applying for graduate positions or placements.

The following resources may help you to draft a CV or cover letter that is appropriate for UK recruiters:

Student Employability resources: Look through our Preparing to Apply guide which helps with writing effective CVs and cover letters, with CV examples and support for completing application forms.
Shortlist.Me: CV Co-pilot, an AI career assistant, can help you to build and improve your CV and tailor your CV to a job description that match employer requirements and highlights key words needed for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Other useful resources:

Prospects – CVs and Cover Letters

TARGET jobs - Application and CV Advice
Many recruiters will ask candidates to complete an online application form.

The following article may be helpful: Prospects – Write a successful job application

Step Four: Job Selection Process

The job selection process starts with a strong application. If your application is successful, there will follow a number of different steps that employers will use to shortlist candidates including:

Psychometric Tests

These are used by recruiters to check competencies including verbal and numerical reasoning.

Interviews

Many recruiters are offering interviews ‘live’ using MS Teams, Zoom or similar platforms. Some employers may offer a telephone interview, others may use an automated, recorded video interview system in the first instance. Many employers are now moving back to ‘in-person’ interviews.

Skills Events for Students

Once your course starts, we run regular skills events led by a range of graduate recruiters and our careers staff who can give you further help and advice.

Assessment Centres

Often used by larger recruiters as the final stage of the job selection process. You will undertake a number of exercises that can allow you to demonstrate the capabilities employers are seeking such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving skills etc.

If you wish to find out more before you start your studies at Surrey, you can access more information on these aspects of the job selection process:

Prospects Interview Tips

Target Jobs Careers Advice

We provide help and advice on all aspects of the job selection process.

Our careers resource guide ‘The Selection Process’ gives advice and tips on how to prepare for your job interview, including: Psychometric tests, The Job Interview, Assessment Centres, and Techniques for Handling Nerves.

Enhancing Your Employability

What do employers look for when selecting applicants?

Many recruiters will identify particular competencies/skills that they see as essential for success in the role you are applying for. These can include communication skills, problem-solving, teamwork, organisation, time management, digital skills and leadership capability to name but a few. They also are looking for a passion for their industry. You can develop your industry awareness by joining professional associations, attending webinars and conferences, reading sector reports and following influential professionals on LinkedIn.

Creating a strong LinkedIn presence can help to build your professional networks. You can also connect with alumni from the University of Surrey through SurreyConnects as well as professionals within the industry via LinkedIn.

What else do employers look for?

Relevant work experience, or an internship or placement, whilst not essential these can significantly increase your chances of success. There are an increasing number of internships (online or in person) that are worth looking out for.

A lot of recruiters will identify particular competencies/skills that they see as essential for success. These can include communication skills, teamwork, organisation, time management, IT skills and leadership capability to name but a few. In order to demonstrate evidence of the competencies recruiters seek, you need to have been actively involved in activities outside of your studies.

Here are some activities that could help you to develop the skills recruiters seek

Part-Time / Summer Employment	Could develop customer service skills, time management, fitting work around studies etc.
Student Clubs and Societies	Can often demonstrate teamwork with fellow students and may enhance organisational skills if you are responsible for arranging a meeting or event.
Volunteering	This gives great scope to demonstrate teamwork, leadership and more besides. Volunteering also shows a commitment to ‘giving back’ to other people; something recruiters often value. The Students’ Union runs a huge range of societies and a comprehensive student volunteering programme.

Before you start making job applications think about any activities you have been involved in over the last two years or so. You may be able to think about the relevant competencies you have developed and include details in your CV.

When you start at Surrey, you can choose to get involved in any of the above activities. We can help you find a part-time job to fit around your studies.

Finally

Don’t forget we are always happy to help you with every aspect of your career planning and development, wherever you are in your journey. If you're unclear about where to start or what to focus on first, book an appointment with our Career Development Advisers via the Surrey Employability Hub and we'll help you develop a plan to move forward.

Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion careers resources to find out more about diversity initiatives, employer perspectives and support at Surrey.

If you would like more information, visit MySurrey Help to find answers to the most common questions and details on how to ask us a question if you require more support.