For graduates, the secret to developing a successful career in south west England is often down to knowing where to look. Rely on the internet and you'll find your search results dominated by the big graduate job boards, all of which tend to be very London-centric.
But there are loads of brilliant opportunities out there. The beautiful, diverse south west is home to a host of graduate schemes, graduate level jobs and paid internships. Whether you're looking in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire or Wiltshire, our insider knowledge will help....
🔍 Our Tips for the Best Places to find Graduate Jobs in South West England 🔍
#1. Gradsouthwest
Obviously, we're going to put this first. As the graduate job board for the south west, we advertise thousands of graduate positions every year. Everything from graduate schemes with international companies to paid internships with start ups. And we even publish a Graduate Scheme Directory to help you see what's available.
▶️ Find a graduate job!
#2. South West Creative Jobs (Bristol Media)
Lots of freelance contracts and paid jobs in the creative industries, particularly in the Bristol area but sometimes further afield in Devon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
▶️ Visit Bristol Creative Industries Job Board
#3. TechSpark Jobs Board
Vacancies with companies and organisations in the technology sector in Bristol and Bath.
▶️ Visit TechSpark!
#4. Devon Jobs
Run by Devon County Council, Devon Jobs advertises around 200 jobs at any one time. Most are with the council or in local schools and there a fair few from the not for profit sector.
▶️ Visit Devon Jobs!
#5. Jobs.ac.uk
Looking for a job in a university? Jobs.ac.uk hosts a huge range of university vacancies ranging from academic posts to management and support roles and studentships. Much easier than trawling all the university websites in turn!
▶️ Visit Jobs.ac.uk!
#6. University of Exeter Graduate Internships
The Graduate Business Partnership scheme offers paid internships (often for up to 12 months) in a variety of roles. They're open to graduates of all UK universities. You'll be employed by the university and seconded to business so will get the benefits of both organisations. Opportunities typically pay c£22K per annum and are highly recommended for developing experience.
▶️ Visit Graduate Business Partnerships!
#7. WEAF
Aerospace, Defence and Advanced Engineering jobs in the south west are advertised on WEAF where you'll also find lots of industry news and insight.
▶️Visit WEAF!
#8. South West Science Parks
Science parks are often home to some of the most existing and innovative companies who use their websites to recruit including;
Exeter Science Park
Bristol & Bath Science Park
Plymouth Science Park
Bristol Robotics Lab
Cornwall Space Cluster
#9. South West Jobs
A service provided by South West Councils, South West Jobs advertises a wide range jobs mostly, but not exclusively, in the public sector.
▶️ Visit South West Jobs!
#10. Charity Jobs
If you want to work in the charity sector, this is the place to look. It's particularly good for looking for jobs that are flexible or home based.
▶️ Visit Charity Jobs
#11. University Careers Services
Most university careers services host their own job boards although these tend to be open only to their own students and graduates. Simply visit the web pages of your university careers services to be pointed in the right direction.
If you come across any other useful websites for graduates looking for work in the south west, drop us a line. If we love it, we'll add it to our list!
Charlotte Weston
Charlotte is a graduate and a Director of Gradsouthwest. She managed the service for many years before going freelance in project management and communications. She now works as an Associate for a number of creative agencies and remains passionate about helping early career graduates find fulfilling careers in the south west.