UK graduate programme

All our graduates and placement students will develop technical expertise in line with one of the services we deliver to our clients. Please see below a list of all graduate development programmes (GDPs) we offer.

Our graduate roles are currently closed and will re-open in October 2023 for 2024 intake.

Asset management

Joining the asset management programme will give you the chance to work for AMCL, a Turner & Townsend company and global leader in asset management. If you bring your talent, enthusiasm, and creativity, we’ll help you realize your potential, allowing you to work on a variety of exciting projects from around the world.

Read about some of the experiences of our recent graduates.

AMCL only has graduate opportunities based in AMCL London (Clerkenwell), but as a global organisation, our GDP has opportunities to facilitate secondments to offices across the globe. We also consider roles based in Manchester and Birmingham on completion of the graduate programme.

• Find out more about AMCL

Commercial management/cost management

Cost management is vital in delivering the best value to our clients and maximising their return on investment. You will support the commission manager by delivering a wide range of tasks to the highest quality standards. Key responsibilities include:

• Estimating and producing cost plans
• Drafting the procurement documentation
• Checking and analysing tenders, conducting cost checks and valuations
• Analysing the numbers for the final accounts and liaising with the client
• Contractors and designers

If you have completed or are completing a degree in quantity surveying this is the programme for you. If not we will sponsor you to complete a RICS accredited masters.

Consulting

Consulting sits within our advisory business with two main areas of focus; asset and facilities management and programme performance. If successful you could work in one of these teams or both across the two-year programme.

Throughout the 2-year programme, a graduate consultant would work on multiple commissions, and rotate through a variety of roles. This provides you with the opportunity to better understand what field you might specialise in following the graduate programme. During this time, we will also provide additional training for you to learn and develop new technical skills.

Contract services

Our contract services ‘intelligent procurement’ approach provides a procurement pathway from business and programme level strategy to contract award, managing the procurement process, implementing consistent procedures and engaging the supply chain.

The team develop contract & commercial solutions for our clients which help maximise value from the supply chain and mitigate contractual risk. Our procurement & contract experts provide support and guidance to our clients through each stage of the process in order to develop optimised procurement solutions that deliver efficiencies and cost savings against their business requirements.

• Find out more about contract services

Digital

The Digital team is primarily made up of data analysts, business analysts, BIM and information management consultants, smart building experts, digital strategy consultants, IT project managers, data architects/engineers and change & transformation consultants, along with growing data science and software development capabilities.

The Digital GDP is aligned to the SFIA skills framework, an industry standard framework which outlines technology and consulting skills focused towards specialised roles such as those mentioned above. Over the course of the programme, you will work on advancing these technical and soft skillsets to level yourself up to a well-rounded digital consultant.

Programme advisory

Our programme advisory experts put in place strategies to control and manage the risks and challenges for our projects. They set up realistic performance baselines, establishing the capabilities and infrastructure needed for clients to deliver successful outcomes.

The team achieves this by setting up programmes at every stage of the lifecycle, creating the right balance across culture, capabilities, processes and systems needed to succeed to ensure that outcomes can be achieved to time and budget.

Project controls

Controls and performance is a vital part of modern project delivery. Working with big data, software and complex systems, the project team will look to you as the oracle of knowledge to support informed decision making. If you are interested in risk, project planning, cost control or implementing the latest project management software, then a career in controls and performance may be for you.

Some of your day-to-day tasks will include: interrogating contractor schedules and managing your clients schedule with the use of Primavera P6 software. You will need to understand the relationship between activities and movement to dates. You will also be expected to produce reports and transforming data on excel and Microsoft Power BI.

Project management

The Project Management GDP involves learning the theory behind all aspects of delivering a successful project, and the excitement and challenges of putting the theory into practice across different schemes and clients.

Day to day tasks include working collaboratively with different disciplines internally, such as Cost Management and Digital, liaising with stakeholders to manage expectations, identifying, analysing and mitigating risks, ensuring projects are being delivered on time, on budget and within scope, and ensuring that our clients’ requirements are passed down and understood by our supply chain. 

• Find out more about project management

Safety, health and quality (SHQ)

The SHQ team cover everything from construction design and management, fire, quality and management systems to training and access consultancy. You will gain experience working in a large team to learn our methodologies as well as having the opportunity to manage your own project independently with accountability for delivery and generating income. You will receive training and support to develop your skills alongside your preferred route to become an Institution of Occupational Safety and Health chartered professional. 

Roles within the SHQ team are only available in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

• Find out more about safety, health and quality

Suiko lean management

As part of the our Suiko lean management agile team, and the wider advisory business there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in internal projects, groups and forums, and business generation opportunities alongside client-facing work. This could range from service line development, research and development, opportunity bidding, thought leadership and internal commercial and business operational support.

Sustainability

Our sustainability graduate programme provides those in their early careers with an opportunity to drive the scale and pace of the transition to a sustainable, inclusive, and green future. During the programme, you will be joining a team of over 100 diverse and passionate sustainability professionals committed to help deliver environmental and net zero ambitions for our clients.

The sustainability programme accelerates young professionals by providing training and support to help you gain important skills to become sustainability leaders in real estate and construction projects across Europe.

We help our clients realise their sustainability and zero-carbon objectives across a variety of programmes. Our expertise covers sectors such as housing, central and local government, healthcare, education, utilities, power, transport, corporate occupiers, defence, and investors and developers.

• Find out more about sustainability

The graduates we recruit are strategic, analytical thinkers who see solutions where others see challenges. They come from diverse backgrounds, but usually have a strong degree, a genuine enthusiasm for how the world works, and a love for learning on the job.

Eligibility criteria

• 2:1 or above in your undergraduate degree.
• 2:2 or above in undergraduate degree if you hold a RICS accredited Masters or construction related masters.
• Right to live and work in the UK (we are unable to offer visa sponsorship).
• Year placement applicants you should have one year left of your degree and you should be completing a year in industry as part of your degree course and on track for a 2.1 or above in your degree.
• Summer placement applications you should currently be at university with a year left to complete following your placement. You should be on track to receive a 2.1 or above in your degree.
• Some office locations require a valid UK driving license and your own means of transport (this will be made clear during the application process).

Learn about the application process, including key dates, for our graduate programme. 

1. Online application form

Submit your CV and complete our online application questions. Here you will need to provide us with your top three preferred locations.

• Opening date: November 2022
• Closing date: We recruit on a rolling basis and will close once application capacity has been reached. Please apply as soon as possible.

2. Online assessments

If successful you will then be invited to complete our online assessment. This is a timed online assessment, and you will be given a week to complete this. You are not able to prepare for this assessment and it will assess you on your behaviours in the workplace.

• Opening date: December 2022 and January 2023
• Closing date: You will have seven days to complete the test once you receive the link.

3. Video interview

If you successfully pass our online assessments, then you will be invited to complete a video interview. This will focus on competency questions as well as your motivation for the opportunities we offer. Please make sure you have done your research as you will be asked questions around the business and the projects we work on.

• Opening date: January 2023
• Closing date: You will have seven days to complete the test once you receive the link.

4. Assessment centre

Our next and final stage is the assessment centre. This will focus on different competencies along with your motivation to join our business and the work we do. If you are invited to the assessment centre you will be sent all detail in advance of the day so you will have full detail and information on what to prepare.

• Opening date: February 2023 – April 2023
• Closing date: You will be invited to a set assessment day with seven days’ notice. Assessment days take place Monday – Friday between 9:00 – 17:30 so you will need to be flexible.

5. Offer and onboarding

If you are made an offer to join our business, you will then be sent across your contract and you will need to complete the onboarding process. This is the stage you will find out which team, location and programme you have been offered.

• You will hear your outcome approximately ten working days after your assessment centre.

Hints and tips to help with your application, online assessment and interview. 

Download our Hints and tips (PDF).

Application form

• Demonstrate your passion for the construction industry, make sure you have done your research on Turner & Townsend
• Apply as soon as possible – we recruit on a rolling basis and will close applications once capacity has been reached
• Only apply to one of our programmes, if more then one application is received we will only consider your first application
• Make sure your contact details are correct and your CV is up to date
• Check and proofread all documents you submit are error free (spelling and grammar).

Online assessment

• Do not miss any deadlines for assessments – these will be sent across with your invite to the assessment
• Ensure you complete the assessment in a quiet space with internet connection
• Make sure you follow all technical advice
• Ensure once tests are completed you submit everything and have received your confirmation email.

Interview tips

• If you are completing your video interview ensure you are in a quiet area and have a plain back drop
• Ensure your video camera and microphone are working and test these before
• Prepare in advance of your interview and look at the projects we have been working on
• Act in a professional manner
• Make sure you are dressed appropriately and are wearing smart attire
• If you are attending assessments face-to-face make sure you plan your journey and arrive with plenty of time
• Think of questions you would like to know and ask these at interview stage
• Take your time and think about your answers.

Remember this process is as much for you as it is for us, use this opportunity to find out more about Turner & Townsend so you are confident you have made the right choice.

Frequently asked questions about our graduate programme.

Download our Graduate programme FAQs (PDF).

Early careers opportunities

Does Turner & Townsend offer work experience opportunities?

We do not currently have a centralised work experience programme. We offer both summer placements and year placements for undergraduate students. We consider applications for placements from students who will be returning to university after the placement is completed.

What opportunities does Turner & Townsend offer for first year students?

Students in their first year at university are eligible to apply for summer placement opportunities.

What placement opportunities do Turner & Townsend offer?

We offer both summer placements and year placement opportunities. You will need to apply through the website for both these opportunities. The assessment process will include an application form, video interview and assessment centre.

What Global opportunities do you offer graduates?

All of the graduate roles are advertised on the Turner & Townsend website. Applicants will need to have the right to live and work in that region to be considered.

Eligibility and graduate development programme

What is the entry criteria for the graduate scheme?

All applicants will need to be on track for a 2:1 or above in their undergraduate degree. Students applying for placement opportunities also need to be on track for a 2:1 or above. If you hold a RICS accredited Masters or have a Construction related Masters you will be eligible with a 2.2.

All applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK.

What degree background do you look for?

Applicants from all degree backgrounds will be considered. Students who are studying a construction related degree are allocated to a role that aligns with that degree. You will need to meet the entry criteria of a 2.1 or a 2.2 with a Quantity Surveying or Construction related Masters.

If you are applying for our Cost Management programme and you do not have a Quantity Surveying degree background, we will sponsor you to complete your Masters.

Do Turner & Townsend sponsor visas for international students?

We are not able to provide visa sponsorship for international students, all applicants for the graduate programme will need to have the right to live and work in the UK. We are a global business with opportunities for students and graduates all around the world. We actively encourage students to contact the offices where they do have the right to live and work and also to explore opportunities advertised on our website.

Can I apply for more than one Graduate Programme advertised?

No, you are only able to be considered for one of our Graduate Development Programmes. Please only send an application in for your preferred programme.

What is the start date for Graduate Programmes and can I start earlier?

The usual start date is the beginning of September and this will be confirmed with you if you are successful in the process. Some specific roles and locations will offer an earlier start date but this will be discussed with you after offer stage.

Does the UK graduate programme involve international travel?

The UK graduate programme will be solely based in our UK offices throughout the two year programme. Successful applicants are offered a role in a UK location which they will need to live and work around for the duration of the graduate programme. Any international opportunities would come after the first two years and this is something that would be explored by the individual and be based on business need.

Recruitment process

What is the application process?

Please see the different stages to our application process:

1. Online application form (including CV upload)
2. Online assessments
3. Online video interview
4. Assessment day
5. Offer

Who are you looking for?

We are looking for graduates who are strategic, analytical thinkers who see solutions where others see challenges. We want graduates who come from diverse backgrounds but have a strong degree, a genuine enthusiasm for how the world works, and a love for learning on the job.

We are looking for individuals who have a passion for the construction industry and are motivated by the work we do and the clients we work with.

What is the deadline to submit my application?

We recruit on a rolling basis, this means that applications will close when we have reached capacity and the roles have been filled. Please ensure you have completed your application as soon as possible.

How will I know I have made it to the next stage in the process?

Please keep an eye on your phone and email throughout the process as this is how we will communicate with you. All communications will come from [email protected] or one of the team.

I have missed the online assessment deadline, can this be extended?

No, we are unable to extend the deadline that we have provided. This is due to the large volume of applications we receive and the nature of our recruitment deadlines.

There are some technical issues with my assessments, how do I resolve this?

Please follow the guidance which was sent to you along with the invitation to complete the online assessment. This involves refreshing your page and trying a new device or browser. If you are still having issues please contact the Early Careers team.

When will interviews take place and how long will I have to prepare?

The time frame when our interviews and assessment days will be taking place can be found on our website. You will be given a week to prepare so please check your email.

Will I get my travel expenses back after my interview?

If you have been invited to attend an interview face to face you will be able to claim travel expenses back. Please keep all receipts of this and the early careers team will request these after your interview.