Shell vs bp Graduate Scheme 2027: Dates, Stages & Pay Compared
Open Shell applications are open now. bp announces UK graduate applications for 12 to 30 November 2026.
27 October 2026
Shell and bp both recruit UK graduates into energy careers, but they differ on timing, assessment and what they publish about pay. Shell’s UK programme page says 2027 applications are open and gives no closing date. bp’s graduate page announces a 12 to 30 November 2026 window. Read our single-employer guides: Shell graduate scheme and bp graduate scheme.
Shell vs bp graduate scheme 2027: side by side
| Item | Shell | bp | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | Open now, no closing date published | 12 to 30 November 2026; rolling, roles can close early | Official |
| Programme | Three-year leadership development; four paths | UK tracks in business, digital, science and engineering | Official |
| Degree | Bachelor’s or Master’s, UK, graduating 2027 or in last three years | No minimum grade published; graduates who already finished can apply | Official |
| Stages | Job try-out and recorded interview, case study and interview, offer | Matching tool, online tests, video interview, technical stage, assessment centre | Official |
| Salary | Not published on the programme page | £37k to £50k depending on business area | Shell: Not published; bp: Official |
| Visa | Residency in the UK required | Sponsorship varies by role | Official |
Shell checked 20 October 2026; bp checked 21 October 2026. Confirm on the official pages before applying.
Shell vs bp: when do applications open and close?
| Shell | Open now for 2027. No closing date is published, and Shell has recruited on a rolling basis before, so apply early. | Official |
| bp | Applications announced for 12 to 30 November 2026. bp fills roles on a rolling basis, so a role can close before 30 November. | Official |
| Exact deadline per role | Not shown on either public page; check the live job listing. | Not published |
Track all dates in our graduate scheme deadlines calendar.
The biggest difference
Timing. Shell is already open with no stated deadline, so you can apply now. bp does not open until 12 November, but its window is short and rolling. If you want both, prepare for Shell first and use the weeks before bp opens to finish its candidate matching tool.
How you are assessed
Shell starts with a virtual job try-out and a recorded on-demand interview, which must be finished within seven days of the invitation, then a case study and online interview with two Shell employees. bp begins with a candidate matching tool and CV, then online assessments, a HireVue video interview, a technical stage and an assessment centre lasting half a day or a full day. Practise with our graduate online tests guide, the verbal reasoning guide and the numerical reasoning guide.
Pay and benefits
bp publishes a UK starting range of £37k to £50k, plus a one-off settling-in allowance of £3k to £5k and a 20% flexible allowance. Shell does not publish a graduate salary on its programme page, so you cannot compare pay until you see a live advert or offer. Use our paycheck calculator to estimate take-home pay.
Which should you apply to?
Choose Shell if you want to apply immediately and like a case-study style process. Choose bp if you want published pay before you commit and prefer a defined November window. Many candidates apply to both, but bp allows only one early-careers application per academic year anywhere in the world.
What a graduate says
Shell: stage 1, job try-out and on-demand interview
Job simulations, then recorded answers. You must finish within seven days of the invitation.
Shell: stage 2, case study and interview
A case study with two Shell employees using information provided in advance, then an online interview with the same two people.
bp: matching tool and online assessments
Complete the candidate matching tool and submit your CV, then short online exercises that are often numerical, logical or situational.
bp: video, technical stage and assessment centre
A HireVue video interview, a live conversation, take-home task or case study, then a half-day or full-day assessment centre.
What a graduate says
“I want to be part of the energy transition”
Sophie, Shell graduate, on Shell’s UK graduate page. One person’s account.
“a window to the endless potential I have as a chemical engineer”
Sophia, bp site engineer, on bp’s graduate page. One person’s account.
Checklist
0 of 5 done
Shell vs bp compared with other schemes
See other energy and infrastructure employers: National Grid and Network Rail, or browse the graduate scheme hub.
Shell vs bp graduate scheme FAQs
Which opens first, Shell or bp?
Shell is open now for 2027. bp announces 12 to 30 November 2026.
Which pays more?
bp publishes £37k to £50k depending on business area. Shell does not publish a graduate salary on its programme page, so there is nothing to compare.
Can I apply to both?
Yes, but bp allows only one early-careers application per academic year anywhere in the world.
Which has the harder process?
Both are multi-stage. Shell uses a job try-out, recorded interview and case study; bp adds online tests, a technical stage and an assessment centre.
Does either sponsor visas?
bp says sponsorship varies by role. Shell requires you to live in the UK; check the live advert for right to work wording.
