Thales Graduate Scheme 2027: How to Apply, Salary and Security Clearance
Applications open: closing 6 January 2027, 23:59
Thales is a defence, aerospace, space and digital security company with more than 7,500 people in the UK. Its 2027 UK graduate intake is a single application window: the closing date is 6 January 2027 and Thales says it is the only time it accepts applications this year. This guide covers the programme, pay, eligibility (including security checks), the recruitment stages and how to prepare. Facts come from the text of the Thales 2027 vacancy, reproduced on Built In, because the Thales careers page itself did not load for me; items from other listings are marked reported.
Thales graduate scheme 2027: at a glance
Thales Engineering Development Programme and locations
The engineering roles run as a three-year programme accredited by the IET, IMechE and RAeS. You follow a structured learning pathway under the Engineering Leadership team, work on new and existing products, and take discipline-specific and transferable-skills training. In Year 3 you can choose to rotate around the country across business units or take an external secondment with a Thales partner. The advert also says you work in a set location and domain for the whole scheme, so rotation is an option rather than a guarantee.
Locations (reported from 2027 listings) include Belfast, Glasgow, Crawley, Reading, Templecombe, Bristol and Cheadle, depending on discipline. One bid and project management listing is described as a two-year rotational programme, which differs from the three-year engineering scheme, so read the advert for your role.
Who can apply and security checks
- Degree: a completed or expected bachelor’s degree in a STEM subject, such as aerospace, electrical or electronic engineering, IT, mathematics, physics, systems engineering, AI, machine learning and cybernetics, or computing. Other technical degrees are considered.
- Right to work: you need the permanent right to work in the UK.
- Security: all roles are subject to security requirements. You must be able to pass and maintain UK government checks, including Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) screening and Security Clearance (SC) before starting.
- Residency: for SC you will typically need to have lived in the UK continuously for the last five years, and you provide evidence of identity, right to work, time spent overseas and your education or employment history. See the official UK security vetting levels page.
Thales recruitment process
- Apply online: register interest for one role; you can then apply for additional roles.
- Upload your CV.
- Check your email for the invitation to apply.
- Complete the application: one primary role and up to three additional roles.
- Online tests to assess suitability for the role.
- Video interview if you pass the tests.
- Virtual assessment centre: may include presentations, group exercises and competency-based interviews.
- Job offer.
How to prepare
Start the application early: only one window exists and the process has many stages. Prepare for the later stages with our guides to the group exercise and presentation exercise, and practise ability-style questions with our situational judgement test guide. Check your UK residency timeline now, because the five-year rule for SC clearance cannot be fixed later. Thales does not publish a named graduate quote on the advert, so this page does not include one; we will add a sourced account when we find a named one.
Salary and benefits
| Item | Per the Thales vacancy text |
|---|---|
| Salary | £34,000 a year, permanent contract |
| Hours | 37 a week (8 hours Monday to Thursday, 5 on Friday) |
| Holiday | 201 hours a year, plus a company day and bank holidays |
| Pay and pension | Performance-related pay uplifts; contributory company pension |
| Health and wellbeing | Health care cash plan, employee assistance programme, life cover |
| Other | Hybrid or flexible options, learning support, 80 hours of volunteering a year for the first two years |
Compare this pay with other schemes on the Graduate Scheme hub.
How Thales compares with other engineering schemes
| Scheme | Strength | Read next |
|---|---|---|
| Thales | Defence, aerospace and security tech; IET, IMechE and RAeS accredited | This page |
| AtkinsRéalis | Engineering consultancy, 12 UK sites, closes 3 December 2026 | AtkinsRéalis graduate scheme |
| Network Rail | Rail engineering and operations | Network Rail graduate scheme |
| National Grid | Energy networks | National Grid graduate scheme |
Thales graduate scheme FAQ
When does the Thales graduate scheme close?
At 11.59pm on Wednesday 6 January 2027. Thales says it only accepts applications once this year.
How much does the Thales graduate scheme pay?
£34,000 a year for the engineering roles in the 2027 vacancy text.
Do I need security clearance?
Yes, all roles need BPSS screening and SC clearance before you start, and SC typically needs five years of continuous UK residency.
Can I apply for more than one role?
You register for one role, then can apply for one primary role and up to three additional roles in the full application.
When do assessment centres happen?
February to May 2027, and Thales says it will contact you by the end of February 2027.
Last checked 8 November 2026. Confirm dates on the Thales careers site before applying.
