Applications are open for the 2027 NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, a paid, full-time graduate development programme offered across NHS organisations in England. The programme is expected to recruit approximately 250 trainees for September 2027 entry.
The scheme is designed for graduates who want to build careers in NHS management and leadership. Successful candidates will gain practical work experience while undertaking structured professional development, leadership training and, depending on their chosen specialism, academic study.
Trainees are expected to start on the first Monday of September 2027.
Programme Overview
The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme provides graduates with at least two years of employment and structured development within NHS organisations in England.
Participants are employed full-time for the duration of their chosen pathway and normally receive a fixed-term contract. The programme combines workplace placements with professional training, giving trainees the opportunity to develop management and leadership skills in a healthcare environment.
The scheme has been running since 1956 and places trainees within NHS organisations across England. Placement decisions are based on assessment results, applicant preferences and available positions. Therefore, applicants’ preferred regions or specific placements cannot be guaranteed.
Current NHS employees can also apply as in-service trainees, provided they meet the same academic and right-to-work requirements applicable to other candidates.
Programme Details
Company: NHS
Programme: NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme
Entry: September 2027
Location: NHS organisations across England
Employment Type: Full-time, fixed-term NHS employment
Standard Contract: 24 months
Finance and Engineering & Estates Management Contract: 30 months
Starting Salary: £31,276
Potential Salary After 12 Months: £33,681
Application Deadline: 28 October 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
About the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme
The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme is part of the NHS College of Leadership and Management and is intended to develop future managers and leaders within the NHS.
Trainees receive a combination of employment, professional leadership development, practical experience and academic learning. Depending on the pathway selected, participants may also complete a relevant academic qualification during the programme.
The scheme offers opportunities across different areas of NHS management, allowing graduates to select a specialism that matches their qualifications and career interests.
Available Specialisms
Applicants can apply for one of the following five pathways:
1. General Management
The General Management pathway provides broad management experience within the NHS. Trainees also undertake academic study leading to a fully funded Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Leadership.
The standard contract for this pathway is 24 months.
2. Human Resources
The Human Resources pathway focuses on developing experience in NHS people management and organisational functions.
Trainees gain practical experience while developing their understanding of human resources within the NHS. The standard contract duration is 24 months.
3. Finance
The Finance pathway provides professional development in NHS financial management.
The programme lasts 30 months. Although applicants are not required to hold a specific numeracy qualification, good numeracy skills are strongly recommended for this pathway.
4. Digital – Health Informatics
The Digital – Health Informatics pathway normally runs for 24 months.
Applicants are expected to benefit from good numeracy skills and experience working with quantitative data, statistics or mathematical modelling.
5. Engineering & Estates Management
The Engineering & Estates Management pathway lasts 30 months and is intended for applicants with the required engineering background.
Applicants must have an eligible engineering degree accredited by the Engineering Council.
Eligibility and Requirements
Applicants must meet the academic and employment eligibility conditions for their selected specialism.
For General Management, Human Resources, Finance and Digital – Health Informatics, applicants must have one of the following:
1. At least a 2:2 degree in any subject.
2. An accepted postgraduate qualification.
3. An accepted health- or management-related qualification at degree level or its equivalent.
For Engineering & Estates Management, applicants must have:
1. At least a 2:2 degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Building Services Engineering.
2. An engineering degree accredited by the Engineering Council.
3. Applicants with an MEng (Hons) are not eligible for the Engineering & Estates Management pathway, whether the qualification was obtained through a BEng followed by a master’s route or through a structured four-year MEng programme.
Right to Work
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the entire duration of the training scheme.
Successful candidates will also be required to complete pre-employment checks. These may include verification of immigration status, academic qualifications and proof of address in the UK.
Current NHS employees applying as in-service trainees must meet the same academic and right-to-work requirements as external applicants.
Salary and Benefits
The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme provides a starting salary of £31,276, with the potential for the salary to increase to £33,681 after 12 months.
Other benefits associated with the programme include:
1. Automatic enrolment in the NHS Pension Scheme.
2. Eligibility for the Employee Assistance Programme.
3. Access to the Cycle2Work scheme and other NHS benefits.
4. Professional leadership development.
5. Academic study and practical NHS work experience.
6. A fully funded Postgraduate Diploma in Healthcare Leadership for General Management trainees.
Recruitment and Selection Process
Candidates will go through a structured recruitment process involving online assessments followed by a half-day Virtual Assessment Centre.
Stage 1: Registration and Application
Applicants must register and submit an application for their chosen specialism.
Stage 2: Future Potential Assessment
The Future Potential Assessment takes approximately 45 minutes and is not time-limited.
Candidates receive a feedback report after completing this assessment.
Stage 3: NHS GMTS Alignment Assessment
The NHS GMTS Alignment Assessment takes approximately 60 minutes and includes video-response questions.
Only the video questions are timed. Candidates receive another feedback report after completing this stage.
Video interview responses are manually reviewed, and artificial intelligence is not used to assess this part of the recruitment process.
Stage 4: Virtual Assessment Centre
Half-day Virtual Assessment Centres begin in January 2027 and continue through February 2027.
After the Virtual Assessment Centre, candidates may receive one of three outcomes:
-An immediate offer.
-Placement on the reserve list.
-An unsuccessful outcome.
Candidates can access preparation resources during the recruitment process, including practice tests, hints and tips videos, coaching calls and platform familiarisation materials.
Reasonable adjustments are available during the selection process, and assessors receive training aimed at recognising and avoiding unconscious bias.
How to Apply
1. Interested graduates should complete the application online before the stated deadline.
2. Visit the official NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme application page.
3. Register for the recruitment process.
4. Select the specialism you wish to apply for.
5. Complete and submit the online application.
6. Participate in the required online assessments if invited to the next stages.
7. Attend the Virtual Assessment Centre if selected.
8. For application-related enquiries, candidates can contact assessment@graduates.nhs.uk.
Important Note
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements for their chosen specialism before submitting an application. Ensure that your academic qualifications, right-to-work status and other required information can be verified during the recruitment process.
Placement locations are determined using assessment results, applicant preferences and available NHS placements, so applicants should not assume that a preferred region or specific NHS organisation will be guaranteed.
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