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Whether new to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø or a returning student, the Careers Centre is here at every stage to support you in identifying and achieving your career ambitions.

The Careers Centre has developed this timeline for those on taught postgraduate programmes to help you navigate key steps and opportunities in your career journey.  

Here’s how to make the most of your year at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.

All year

• Sign up for the Saints Skills Builder Award, for developing new skills.
• Volunteer to gain experience in a variety of fields.
• Attend events arranged by the Careers Centre.
• Book appointments with careers advisers or CV advisers to talk about your future, go over your CV, cover letter or application form, and improve your interview skills.
• Apply for part-time jobs and opportunities in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
• Regularly check each week for new job opportunities.
• Make a profile on Saint Connect (a St Andrews-specific social networking platform) to find opportunities and reach out to alumni.

July to August (before you start your programme)

• Consider which  you might want to join when you arrive. 
• Research roles and employers for graduate jobs and graduate schemes according to your career plan and find out how and when to apply (refer to and ).
• Keep your LinkedIn profile and CV up to date.

September to December

• Sign up for the Saints Skills Spotlight Award, to talk about your existing skills. 
• Go to Freshers’ Fayre to and get involved with a range of activities – take yourself outside your comfort zone and try something new.
• Applications for graduate schemes open. Many graduate scheme deadlines fall between October and January.
• Book appointments with careers advisers or CV advisers to talk about your future, go over your CV, cover letter or application form, and improve your interview skills.
• Attend careers fairs and employer presentations – talk to employers and make applications.
• Sign up for Coffee Connect to find a mentor.
• Network with postgraduate researchers and learn about their experiences of further study. Contact potential supervisors for advice.
• Apply for further study – PhD and MPhil application deadlines for many Schools at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø fall between December and January.
• Apply for scholarships for further study – the deadline for most scholarships is no later than the end of January.
• Familiarise yourself with the University’s graduate attributes platform and log your curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to create your individual skills profile to help demonstrate your employability. Graduate attributes relate to the knowledge, skills and capabilities that the University seeks to help you develop throughout your time at St Andrews.

January to February

• Applications for many graduate schemes close.
• Practise psychometric tests.
• Prepare for interviews and assessment centres for PhD or graduate scheme applications.
• Book a practice interview with a careers adviser before you get the invitation for an interview.
• Apply for postgraduate internships.
• Look out for PhD networking events within your School.

March to April

• Attend interviews and assessment centres.

May to July

• If successful with a graduate scheme application, you will usually now be receiving offers.
• Keep applying for graduate jobs and internships – employers recruit on a rolling basis throughout the year.
• If applying for further study, keep in touch with your potential PhD supervisor to discuss your research plan and start date, which can be flexible.

August to September

• You could now begin a graduate scheme, job, or PhD programme.
• Consider alternatives to getting a graduate job after graduation, such as taking a gap year, travelling or further study.
• Keep in touch with the Careers Centre. Don’t forget that its services are available for up to three years after you graduate: .