Improve productivity and skills
Graduate and student placements
Graduate and student placements
Want to benefit from someone eager to put their talents and qualifications to work on a specific well-defined project? We’ll find you the right graduate to help your company or organisation grow.
Taking on a graduate
Are you considering offering a project placement for a graduate or student? This guide will tell you more about what our ScotGrad programme can offer and how you can get involved.
We will work with you to source talented graduates and students for your project to support and achieve growth for your organisation.
Graduates and students can provide you with fresh knowledge, new ideas, and a unique perspective, resulting in tangible benefits to your organisation.


What options are there?
- Graduate Placements up to 12 months
- Student Placements in the Highlands and Islands over the summer up to 12 weeks, from June to September with the possibility of an up to 22-week (pro-rata) placement during academic studies
- Language Student Placements in the Highlands and Islands take place over the summer, maximising languages as an economic asset
- Scottish Life Sciences Internship Programme, which provides life sciences work experience for students ranging from 8 to 12 weeks
- International Business Explorer post-graduate placements for businesses hoping to internationalise supported by Scottish Enterprise
Am I eligible?
Your graduate must work on a clearly-defined project that directly contributes towards your growth and productivity plans and be a component part of your team.
You’ll need to clearly demonstrate an impact on your business performance.
The service connects you with graduates with HNC, HND, undergraduate or post-graduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines.
This service is free to access, whilst you pay the graduate a minimum salary of £17,500 per year, or the pro-rata equivalent for a 37-hour week.
The programme gives you an opportunity to carry out a specific project which you would not have otherwise done.
The placement must be clearly-defined and the graduate must work 100% of their time on the agreed project and not be involved in day-to-day operations.


How do I get involved?
To get the ball rolling speak to your local Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise or Business Gateway contact.
What happens after I register?
Your vacancy is published on the ScotGrad website and other channels. The team at ScotGrad will also seek quality applications from the graduate community.
After the closing date, you will have access to all the applications, so you can arrange interviews and select your preferred graduate.
Looking to speak to an expert?
Our team is on hand to answer your questions and explain how we can help you recruit a graduate or student.