Mars Graduate Programme 2027: How to Apply, Salary and Process
Mars runs six graduate leadership programmes in the UK, each built around three years of rotations. This guide covers what the programmes are, what Mars publishes about pay and benefits, how the application works and how to prepare for the HireVue interview and assessment centre. Every fact below was read on the official Mars students and graduates page on 9 November 2026 unless it is labelled as reported.
Comparing employers? Start with the graduate scheme hub and the graduate scheme deadlines calendar.
Mars graduate programme 2027 at a glance
- Programme: Mars Graduate Leadership Programmes, three years of rotations (official).
- UK schemes: General Management, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, R&D and Procurement (official).
- Starting salary: £33,000 plus a £2,000 joining bonus (official).
- Benefits listed: healthcare, pension plan, cycle to work, staff discounts, international placements and flexible working (official).
- Selection process: CV, review, HireVue interview, assessment centre, offer (official).
- Company size in the UK: more than 4,000 associates across 10 UK sites (official).
The six Mars graduate schemes
Mars hires into function-specific leadership programmes rather than one generic scheme. Pick the function first, because each has its own listing, location and status. Supply Chain Leadership Experience 2027 is listed at Slough and R&D Leadership Experience 2027 at Batley, West Yorkshire. Reported by search listings, not confirmed on the official page: the R&D scheme asks for a STEM degree, and Finance accepts any discipline with a CIMA route.
Are applications open?
Status differs by scheme. On 9 November 2026 the Mars page showed some schemes as closed and others as open for the 2027 intake. Check the scheme you want on the official page before you start, and note that the date can change. Reported by search snippets, not confirmed: applicants should hold a degree completed within the last two years.
Mars graduate scheme salary and benefits
Mars publishes a starting salary of £33,000 and a £2,000 joining bonus. It lists healthcare, a pension plan, cycle to work, staff discounts, international placements and flexible working. Pay on later rotations is not published. To see what £33,000 looks like after tax, use our graduate salary guide and paycheck calculator.
Mars graduate scheme application process
- CV and application. You upload your CV and answer a visa sponsorship question.
- Review. Mars reviews your application.
- HireVue interview. A recorded video interview.
- Assessment centre. A day of exercises and interviews.
- Offer. Mars gives start dates around September.
How to prepare for the Mars HireVue interview
Practise answering out loud with a timer, look at the camera and test your setup before you start. Our video interview guide shows the question types and a practice routine.
Preparing for the assessment centre
Mars does not publish the exercises on its page, so prepare for the common formats: a group exercise, a presentation and psychometric tests. See also online tests used by UK employers.
A note on candidate voices
We could not find a named Mars graduate quote we could verify from a public source, so we have not included one. If you have completed the scheme and want to share your experience, contact us.
Mars vs other graduate schemes
Mars is a rotational FMCG scheme with a published salary. Compare it with Unilever or the supermarket schemes at Aldi and Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Mars graduate programme FAQ
How long is the Mars graduate programme?
Mars describes three years of rotations.
What is the Mars graduate starting salary?
Mars publishes £33,000 plus a £2,000 joining bonus.
Which UK schemes does Mars offer?
General Management, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, R&D and Procurement.
What is the Mars selection process?
CV, review, HireVue interview, assessment centre and offer.
Does Mars sponsor visas?
The application asks about visa sponsorship. Check the official page for the current policy.
Back to the Graduate Scheme hub.
