Graduate Programmes UK

An update on our Graduate Programmes

Our Next Generation Talent programmes have been a big part of how we grow future talent. But the world’s changing fast, and we want to keep up. So, we’re hitting pause on early careers recruitment until September 2026 to give the programme a proper glow-up. We’re redesigning it to better match what Gen Z and Gen Alpha are looking for, while making sure it fits with our big-picture goals. In the meantime, we’re learning, improving, and getting ready to come back with something smarter, sharper, and more exciting than ever.

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Future Leaders Programme

Our UK nationwide Future Leaders Programme is all about developing Senior Leaders of the future within our Operations. A 24-month structured Programme (2 x 12-month placements) in your selected business unit – Manufacturing Logistics, Network Transport Solutions, ECommerce & Retail, Consumer & Convenience and Healthcare & Specialist Logistics, you will be provided with the opportunity to complete 2 placements across 2 different sites whilst on the programme. From day one, you'll take on real responsibility with a supportive culture that helps you get the most out of your time as a graduate, whilst building on your people and stakeholder management skills and becoming an expert in all things Operations, whilst working towards Operation Departmental ILM Manager Level 5 Qualification (alongside our internal Certified Supervisory training).

Register your interest to be the first to hear about our roles going live in Autumn 2026.

Manufacturing and Logistics

In Manufacturing Logistics, we do exactly what you'd think - we provide logistics and supply chain solutions to manufacturing companies across various industries. As Future Leader Graduate within this Business Unit you will have exposure to work across our 4 pillars which are; Passenger Transport, Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy and Chemicals, Jaguar Landrover and Finished Vehicle Solutions.

Network Transport Solutions

The Network Transport Solutions Business unit works across the UKI to support our customers making deliveries and help drive our growth agenda. As a Future Leader within this business unit you can expect to work across the 2 key areas, Tradeteam and Core Transport.

Healthcare and Specialist Logistics

Healthcare and Specialist Logistics business unit brings all our end-to-end solutions together in one place. As a Future Leader in the business unit you will get visibility to the unique and exciting world of Supply Chain. From handling life saving drugs & technology to working closely with some of our biggest Aviation and Public Sector customers.

Retail and E-commerce

The Retail Business Unit brings the vast majority of our core warehousing & transport operations (from retail) into a single team. We adopt a sub-bu structure, splitting ourselves into 3 areas – Fashion & Beauty, Home, Garden & Leisure and Food and Grocery. As a Future Leader Graduate you will be an essential part of everyday life for the high street and online retailers. For example, we serve 80% of the retailers on London's Oxford Street.

Consumer and Convenience

The Consumer and Convenience business unit offer a wide range of flexible, end-to-end, specialised solutions for consumer goods manufacturers across a high number of UK sites. A Future Leader Graduate can expect to work with some of the UK's biggest supermarket chains to support the delivery of consumer goods into their stores.

Functional Graduate Programmes

Our 2-3 year long Graduate programmes are designed to give you the knowledge and skills you need to succeed and become a leader of the future.

Register your interest to be the first to hear about our roles going live in Autumn 2026.

Finance

Our UK Finance Programme is a structured programme to provide you with the knowledge and skills to become a Finance Specialist. During your programme, you may undertake positions such as a Finance Assistant, Business Analyst, or Finance Manager, and be involved in large-scale Finance Projects which you support and manage.

What to expect from the programme:
36-month structured programme (3 x 12-month placements)
Placements will differ being based at site or located regionally
Completion of CIMA professional qualification.

Digital & Technology

The Digital and Technology function drives innovation and efficiency through cutting-edge solutions. By leveraging advanced technologies, we optimise logistics operations, enhance supply chain visibility and deliver superior customer experiences. Join our programme to help us stay at the forefront of the industry, continuously improving and adapting to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

What to expect from the programme:
24-month structured programme (2 x 12-month placements). Placements will be based at site or in the central IT team. Support towards a MSc Digital & Technology Specialist Masters qualification.

Business Development

DHL's UK Business Development graduate programme is all about developing leaders for  the future to support the growth of the business.

During your programme you may undertake positions such as indirect sales support and bid excellence along with being involved in high profile customer projects.

What to expect from the programme:
24-month structured programme (2 x 12-month placements)
Placements will differ being based at site or located regionally
Completion of Technical Sales Qualification

Project Management

Our UK Project Management Programme provides exciting placement opportunities for graduates to experience working on and managing medium to large projects, in line with DHL project management methodology to achieve real, successful delivery.

What to expect from the programme:
36 month structured programme (multiple placements based on live projects).
Placements will differ being based at site or located regionally.
Completion of professional qualifications - APM, PMQ.

Our UK HR Programme is all about developing  business leaders of the future specializing in recruitment, management and supporting employees. During your time, you may undertake positions such as HR Generalist roles, HR Specialist roles, HR Coordinator or be involved in large-scale HR Projects which you support & manage.

What to expect from the programme:
24-month structured programme (2 x 12-month placements)
Placements will differ being based at site or located regionally
Completion of CIPD Level 5  professional qualification.

Marketing

Depending on which area you are placed within the Marketing department will determine which opportunities you are exposed to. Whether it’s getting out to sites to create photo and video content with the Brand Awareness team, attending customer events and days out with the Customer Engagement team or building tailored campaigns and measuring every success in the Product Campaign team. The opportunities in the Marketing programme are a fantastic way to experience multiple areas of the industry.

What to expect from the programme:
A 24 -month structured Programme (2 x 12-month placements)
Placements be remote with the expectation of travel
Completion of Marketing qualification

Operations Excellence Assurance

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone looking for a Graduate role who has an interest in making a difference and is passionate about Sustainability.

Our UK Operations Excellence Assurance Programme is all about developing our leaders of the future who have a passion for Supply Chain and strive for ‘Excellence’ The programme focusses on delivering a holistic experience of Supply Chain, helping prepare Graduates for a successful career and providing the skills they need to succeed. The Programme encompasses 3 x 8 months placements across area that play a key part in the success of Operations Excellence’s focuses and delivering an exceptional service to our customers.

Operations Excellence Digital Engineering

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone looking for a Graduate role who has an interest in making a difference and is passionate about Digitalization.

Our UK Operations Excellence Digital Engineering Programme is all about developing our leaders of the future who have a passion for Supply Chain and strive for ‘Excellence’ The programme focusses on delivering a holistic experience of Supply Chain, helping prepare Graduates for a successful career and providing the skills they need to succeed. The Digital Engineering Programme encompasses 2 x 12 months placements across area that play a key part in the success of Operations Excellence’s focuses and delivering an exceptional service to our customers.

Why should you apply to our graduate programmes?

Hear what our current Graduates have to say

"I wanted to work for DHL because it is a world-leading logistics company and I was drawn to their DEIB agenda, as I’m passionate about diversity and inclusivity, so I like that DHL drives this too.

My biggest piece of career advice is to be open to any opportunities. I didn’t know exactly what DHL did before I read into the company and now I love my role and the projects I contribute to!"

Millie

HR Graduate

“The Finance Graduate Scheme has given me the confidence to leverage my strengths and the structure to focus on my areas of development”

Jerry

Finance Graduate

“My exposure to DHL on the graduate scheme has exceeded my expectations. I have been fully supported to experience all aspects of the business from warehouse and transport, to projects and planning management. The highlights of my placement have been working alongside our senior leadership team, engaging with colleagues, to working on projects that make a difference on site”

Kate

Future Leaders Graduate

"My favourite thing about the logistics industry is how detailed and intricate the operations are across the business and having the chance to visit lots of different sites. Since working for DHL, I have been impressed with how global the firm is and how it impacts lots of parts of everyday life."

Robert

Finance Graduate

“The future leaders graduate scheme has enhanced my leadership skills and helped me grow as a person. I have enjoyed working with a variety of teams and seeing how digitilisation is being implemented through working with automated guided vehicles and how DHL is invested in being pioneers today and the future”

Ruvi

Future Leaders Graduate

"The reason I chose to work at DHL is because we are so passionate about the environment and have a brilliant sustainability agenda called GoGreen. The GoGreen agenda is not only about our vehicles and emissions, I enjoy seeing colleagues contribute to the GoGreen agenda through tree planting, litter picking and supporting local charities with recycling."

Fatima

Future Leaders Graduate

"I love that I am encouraged to study alongside working. I will be starting my Masters next year in Computer Science with Data Analytics, alongside my role at DHL."

Catherine

Digital and Technology graduate

“My journey within DHL’s graduate programme has been truly outstanding. The exceptional support system, the warm and professional team at DHL, and the strong emphasis on continuous learning have made this experience incredibly enriching.

The focus on both personal and professional growth has not only expanded my knowledge but is allowing me to shape my future career. I would definitely recommend DHL’s graduate programme!"

Brunel

Digital and Technology graduate

Graduate Programme FAQs

Explore the answers to frequently asked questions for our post-graduate jobs.

We will be going live with new programmes in September 2026, to join the business in September 2027. We’re hitting pause on early careers recruitment until September 2026 to give the programme a proper glow-up. We’re redesigning it to better match what Gen Z and Gen Alpha are looking for, while making sure it fits with our big-picture goals. In the meantime, we’re learning, improving, and getting ready to come back with something smarter, sharper, and more exciting than ever.

Yes you can apply if you meet all of the requirements of the programme. For more information please read specific details for your chosen programme on the vacancy page. We value work experience that graduates have undertaken after finishing university.

We welcome applications from any degree background to all of our graduate programmes.

Application Form - Once you’ve decided which programme to apply for, you will need to complete our online application form. You’ll be asked to enter personal details, together with qualifications and a copy of your CV.
DHL Strengths Journey Online Assessment – After completing our application form, you will be progressed onto our first online assessment. This is designed to assess how you would handle situations that you would encounter in the role you are applying for. It has been developed as a bespoke tool for DHL and is based on real-life situations.
Job Simulation Online Assessment – If you pass the DHL Strengths Journey, you will then be invited to complete a Job Simulation. This assessment is for you to showcase who you are and to give us an idea of your real self whilst completing a role-relevant DHL scenario. Please note, if you are applying for one of our entry-level apprenticeships, then you won’t be required to complete this.
Overview session – Provided you meet the required criteria, you’ll then be invited to a virtual programme overview session where you can learn the details about the role you’ve applied to!
Experience Day – If you have successfully passed stages 1-3, the final stage of the process is the Experience Day. We will provide you in advance the details of what to expect on this day.

Currently we are not in a position to sponsor Visa requests. Our policy is that we require the correct right to work information prior to being able to offer any potential employee and therefore, we have put this as a minimum requirement for candidates to be able to apply to our programmes.

You may however apply for any of our positions via our website at the following address: www.dhl.com/global-en/home/careers.html and https://careers.dhl.com/global/en as some sectors within the wider DHL business may have different policies.

Yes, if you are invited to an experience day, you will be contacted with a travel expenses form.

Yes, if you attend an experience day, you will receive specific feedback on your performance on the day. You will also receive general feedback following any online tests. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback if you do not make it past the application stage, due to the large volume of candidates.

DHL Supply Chain is a global organisation and our Next Generation Talent roles are based across the UK. For our graduate roles, you will be based at one of our sites across the UK for your first year-long placement and then moved for your second year-long placement. We are able to support with up to £500 relocation costs per year. All of our apprenticeship roles will have a location stated on the individual job descriptions.

Our Next Generation Talent have access to a huge network of people to speak to and get support from. You will have a mentor who will offer careers advice, act as a role model and demonstrate how networking works in practice. We also have a buddy scheme where new Graduates and Apprentices are put in contact with current Graduates and Apprentices who offer advice on an informal basis around things like relocation, past experiences and answer any practical questions or concerns. Networking is a key aspect of our business and you will build on this network as you progress your career with us.

Yes, both our apprentice and graduate programmes include learning alongside the role. The qualification you receive will be stated on the job description and varies between roles.

We support all our Next Generation Talent in gaining permanent positions in the business once they have successfully completed the programme. During the programme we have career development workshops which help you in this process. Of course, by the time you have completed the programme you will have developed a large network of contacts who will be able to support you in the search for your first role.

If you have any questions, please contact the Next Generation Talent Team at EmergingTalent@dhl.com

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Future Leaders Programme

Functional Graduate Programmes

Why should you apply to our graduate programmes?

Hear what our current Graduates have to say

Graduate Programme FAQs

When do roles next go live and when would I join the business if successful?

Can I apply if I graduated from university 2-3 years ago?

What degree do I need to apply to the graduate programmes?

What is the application process?

Do you sponsor International Students?

Do you support with travel costs to the experience days?

Will I get feedback throughout the process?

Where are the roles located?

Will I be in contact with other Graduates & Apprentices or senior managers during the programme?

Will I receive any externally recognised qualifications?

What is the process for obtaining a job with DHL at the end of the programme?

Who do I contact if I have additonal questions?