TfL Graduate Scheme 2027: Open Roles, Pay and How to Apply

Very excited at the prospect of working on systems such as Contactless Payments.

Kathryn, TfL Software Development graduate (surname not published), on Gradcracker. One person’s account; quote shortened.

The TfL graduate scheme is Transport for London’s two-to-three-year programme with up to six placement rotations across the business, all based in London. On 20 October 2026, TfL’s full list of graduate roles shows graduate roles open for applications, but only some schemes are still open: Commercial Real Estate, Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering, Engineering and Technology, Highways and Traffic, Mechanical Engineering, and Environment and Sustainability. Most business and technology schemes have already closed. This guide covers what is open, pay, eligibility, the application stages and how TfL compares with other UK schemes.

TfL graduate scheme at a glance

The table reflects TfL’s pages on 20 October 2026. TfL updates this list as schemes close, so check the live list before you apply. For other employers, see our graduate scheme opening dates table.

When does the TfL graduate scheme open?

TfL’s roles list says graduate roles are now open for applications, and several schemes have already closed to new applications. TfL’s TfL’s graduate scheme explained page still says applications for positions starting in September 2027 are “opening soon” and invites you to register your interest, so the two pages are not in step; treat the roles list as the live status. Gradcracker’s TfL listings show 12 schemes with September 2027 starts and an “Ongoing” deadline, with a warning that roles may close early (Reported). Compare every employer in our graduate scheme opening dates table.

TfL graduate schemes: what you can join

TfL groups its graduate roles into Business, Technology and Engineering. The open schemes on 20 October 2026 are mostly engineering and property roles. Gradcracker, which republishes TfL’s adverts, reports different lengths by scheme (Reported): Civil Engineering runs three years with up to six placements of about six months, while Quantity Surveying and Procurement and Commercial run two years.

• Engineering: Civil Engineering, Engineering and Technology, Highways and Traffic, Mechanical Engineering, Environment and Sustainability.
• Business: Commercial Real Estate and Quantity Surveying are open; the other business schemes are closed.
• Technology: Data Science, Power Platforms Software Development and Product Management are closed for this round.

Who can apply to the TfL graduate scheme?

TfL says entry requirements vary by scheme. Some accept a minimum 2:2 in any subject, while others have specific criteria, and you must already hold or be on track to achieve the required degree by the time the scheme starts. Gradcracker reports Master’s requirements for Civil, Mechanical and Environment and Sustainability Engineering, a 2:2 for Highways and Traffic and Quantity Surveying, and a 2:1 for Transport Modelling and Analysis (Reported, September 2027 starts). You can apply for only one scheme per recruitment campaign.

All candidates must have the right to work in the UK for the entire scheme. TfL says it is currently unable to provide Skilled Worker visa sponsorship because the Home Office criteria would not be met, and an application or offer is withdrawn if you do not have the right to work. Offers are subject to pre-employment checks covering immigration status, qualification verification and proof of address in the UK.

TfL graduate application process: stages

1. Online application. You answer a series of questions designed to screen your eligibility and choose the programme.
2. Two online assessments. TfL says successful applicants complete two different online assessments. Gradcracker reports an online situational test with a G+ reasoning test and a recorded video interview (Reported).
3. Assessment day. A virtual or in-person assessment day. Gradcracker reports group exercises, a presentation on a technical question sent a week earlier and a competency interview (Reported).

TfL does not publish stage durations on the pages we read. If you want to understand the group-exercise format, our graduate scheme hub links to assessment guides for other employers.

How to prepare for the TfL graduate scheme

• Apply early. Schemes close one by one, and most business and technology schemes had closed by 20 October.
• Check your degree against the scheme. Engineering schemes can require Master’s-level or accredited degrees; confirm before you spend time on the form.
• Practise reasoning tests and recorded answers. Reported stages include a G+ test and a video interview.
• Prepare a short technical presentation. Gradcracker reports a technical question sent a week before the assessment day.
• Show why transport. Link your examples to the services and systems TfL runs, as the graduate quoted above does.

TfL graduate salary and benefits

TfL says the starting salary for all graduates is £32,250, and interns earn £27,029 (Official, TfL’s graduate scheme explained page). Gradcracker reports pay rising to £33,500 in year two and £37,250 in year three for Civil Engineering (Reported, TfL advert). Benefits listed by TfL are 30 days of annual leave, two free Oyster cards, a 75% discount on National Rail and a pension scheme. TfL also says it was ranked top in its category in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers survey of 15,105 final-year students in February 2026.

How TfL compares with other UK graduate schemes

TfL publishes a single starting salary for every scheme and every role is in London, which makes it easier to compare than most employers. If you are choosing between infrastructure employers, compare it with Network Rail, Arup, Siemens and Rolls-Royce. All are in our graduate scheme opening dates table.

TfL graduate scheme FAQ