Research your sector

The Prospects website gives an overview of the accounting and finance sector as well as graduate job profiles.

Target Jobs tells you what you need to know about graduate jobs in accountancy and financial management, and includes information on professional qualifications.

Working in partnership with The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, Inside Careers brings you the official career guide for the accountancy profession.

All About Finance  Information and advice on jobs and courses.

GAAPweb (a finance and accountancy jobs board) has pulled together a collection of resources on free or low-cost online training opportunities related to the business, accounting and finance sector.  

Professional Organisations

There are a number of accountancy professional bodies including:

ACCA: The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) accountancy qualification is suitable for those who wish to pursue a career in accountancy at any level. 

CIMA: The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

CIPFA: The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

AAT: The Association of Accounting Technicians.

The Prospects website provides an overview of the advertising, marketing and PR sectors, and includes job roles typically available for graduates.  In relation to advertising, these include account executive, account planner, art director, copywriter, media buyer and media planner.   For each of these roles, information is provided on the job itself, on entry requirements, training, career development, and employers and vacancy sources.

Target Jobs includes a similar range of information in that it provides details on typical graduate roles along with information on employers, qualifications. training and key skills. There is also information and advice on how to apply for jobs and internships in the advertising sector.

Screenskills is the industry body that supports skills and training for people and businesses to ensure the creative industries (including advertising) in the UK maintain their world class position. It covers news and careers information about the advertising sector.

Institute of Practitioners in Advertising provides industry news, job opportunities and careers information. There is a specific careers information section aimed at graduates and school leavers.

There is also an opportunity to try the Institute’s diagonal thinking test, an online self-assessment tool designed to assess test both linear and creative thinking, aptitudes that are thought to be related to success. in the advertising industry.

Campaign is the leading UK trade magazine for the advertising and commercial media industry.

Exchange is the magazine of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), a professional organisation for marketing professionals.  The CIM also support the Getin2marketing online careers resource.

Marketing Week is a leading UK trade magazine for marketing professionals.

The Drum magazine includes news and job opportunities for the marketing and media industries.

Creative Review contains news and job across the creative industries.

Design Week includes news and a jobs section including creative roles in advertising.

Marketing and Creative Handbook Contains a contacts directory of services across the creative industries including marketing and advertising. 

MrWeb is an online resource for the market research profession. Contains job vacancies.

Research Buyer's Guide - Directory of Market Research providers. Has a list of specialist recruitment agencies and support services in the Market Research sector.

The Communications Advertising and Marketing (CAM) Foundation is an educational charity that develops qualifications and supports the Marketing Communication industry. 

Association for Qualitative Research (AQR) As well as information on training, events and directories in this sector the AQR site also has a Jobs Noticeboard for posts in Qualitative/Market Research. 

The Direct Marketing Association is Europe's largest trade association in the marketing and communications sector. The site includes a member directory.

Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing provides information on training and qualifications specific to a career in direct marketing and direct marketing events.  Run a marketing summer school and a marketing competition for students.

Market Research Society International membership organisation for professional researchers and those engaged in the market, social and opinion research. The site supports a careers section and resources for securing work experience.

The Ultimate Guide to Landing a Job in PR This guide is produced by PR Fire and covers an outline of the roles available in PR, the skills needed for success and tips on finding your first job.

Artjobster provides an overview of roles and links to a job search facility.

a-n News includes research papers and resource information, community news and discussions.

Screenskills provides extensive information and links about the creative and cultural sector including careers information. Areas covered include film, TV, radio, media, advertising and publishing. Subscribe to their newsletter to gain an awareness of the industry and any jobs that may be posted.

Creative and Cultural Skills provides up to date information and resources about the creative and cultural industries.

Multitrack partners with the country’s leading audio production companies to offer paid work placements, training and networking opportunities, and the chance to pitch for real commissions.  This is an entry level fellowship for people who may face barriers entering the audio industry because they are:

A person of colour
Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent
From a low socioeconomic background

The next Multitrack Fellowship will run in late 2024

Media info is a UK directory of media organisations including the design sector (for newspapers and magazines).

The Prospects website includes a section on creative arts and design.

The Arts Council develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences, news advice and guidance for the arts sector.

The Design Council provides design industry-specific information – insights and challenges, case studies and much more.

Design and Industries Association – Extensive list of links and resources for the Design industries.

British Arts Festivals Association provides members with Arts resource information; press releases and events.

ISAN is an independent group of producers, presenters, promoters and artists working in outdoor arts from the UK and Ireland; networking, lobbying, information-sharing, and training, research, and advocacy support and advice.

Information from the Department for Culture Media and Sport sets arts policy and supports arts-based initiatives in partnership with other government departments.

UK Theatre is a leading trade association representing the interests of and providing professional support for the performing arts in the UK.

The Independent Theatre Council is the management association and industry-led body for performing arts organisations and individuals working in the field of drama, dance, music, theatre, and physical theatre, street arts and mixed media.

Artshub provides information for the arts, job opportunities, news and features.

The Creative Society is an arts employment charity that helps young people into jobs in the creative and cultural industries. Follow this site on Twitter and Facebook. Any jobs would be posted on their social media sites.

Dexigner A global online design directory covering a wide range of sectors including interiors, graphics, jewellery, textiles and furniture.

UK Fashion and Textile Association A source of general information and includes a member directory.

The Dots A professional networking platform designed to help creative professionals and companies showcase work, network, collaborate and connect with commercial opportunities.

Journey into the Design Industry  Advice on how to prepare for a career in design, plus the offer of free feedback on your portfolio.

The Prospects site provides an overview of the sector and highlights the range of  graduate roles in accountancy, banking and finance.

Inside Careers provides information on a range of financial areas including the banking and investment sector.  It gives access to an employer directory and information on internships and graduate schemes.

Target jobs include a section on investment banking and investment and this provides an overview of the various roles, the skills required and some of the related graduate programmes.

All About Careers includes a section on banking, finance and accountancy careers.

Efinancial careers contains news and advice on the industry and how to get in.

Futures Industry Association provides news and a member list.

The Investment Association provides an overview of the investment industry, news and a section on careers.

National Guidance Research Forum, University of Warwick provides information on future employment trends, occupations and education and training in the hospitality, travel and tourism sector.

Prospects is a general UK careers website aimed at graduates from all subject areas. The "Hospitality and Events Management" section includes information about a variety of job roles including that of the event organiser and the exhibition designer.  Included is information on entry requirements, training, career development and some web links for employers and vacancy sources.

The Hospitality Guild provides information about the hospitality and tourism career pathways, training, employment opportunities. There is an interactive career map, personality tests and a whole host of career stories alongside a vacancy search feature.

Conferences UK provides details of specialist conference centres throughout the UK. The site has a list of conference venues that are searchable by region or city. You could use this list to make speculative applications to organisations that are not currently advertising vacancies.

The Association of Event Organisers is a professional body for the sector. Although limited in terms of the information it provides, under the “members” tab is a list of events companies for students to approach speculatively about work placements and job opportunities. 

The Meetings Industry Association (MIA) is a trade body for venues, conference centres and hotels. There is a searchable database of meeting venues.

The Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) is a professional organisation for conference and event organisers. There is a membership grade for students (although this is not free) and benefits include the possibility to network with members, some of whom may be prospective employers.

Prospects is a general UK careers website, aimed at graduates from all subject areas. The  “Hospitality and Events Management” and the  “Leisure, Sport and Tourism” sections include some useful information about job roles and cover information on entry requirements, training, career development and some useful web links for employers and vacancy sources.

The Hospitality Guild provides information about the hospitality and tourism career pathways, training, employment opportunities. There is an interactive career map, personality tests and a whole host of career stories alongside a vacancy search feature.

 
Springboard UK is a charity that promotes careers in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries.  The CareerScope section of the site includes information about careers in hospitality, leisure and tourism.

The Pub Experts Guide has a directory of pub companies/breweries, which you could use to make speculative applications to organisations that are not currently advertising.
 
Travel Weekly provides news about the industry and offers a subscription to a daily email service, which includes details of vacancies.

Inside Careers provides information on graduate roles and employers as well as an overview of the different sectors that make up the insurance industry.

Target jobs includes a feature on graduate careers in insurance.

Prospects is a general UK careers website, aimed at graduates from all subject areas.  Included is some useful information about job roles and information on entry requirements, training, career development and some useful web links for employers and vacancy sources.  Roles include Insurance Broker, Insurance Account Manager, Insurance Risk Surveyor, Claims Handler and Underwriter.

Best's Review, the insurance industry's premier monthly news magazine, delivers insightful, award-winning coverage of compelling topics such as agent/broker, life, property/casualty, reinsurance/capital markets, technology and more.

Insurance Times – Daily UK Insurance news.

Insurance Post - Provides coverage of all issues of interest to the UK insurance industry.

Lloyds of London – News, Blog and Events.

The Baltic Exchange Provide independent daily shipping market information; maintain professional shipbroking standards and resolve disputes.

The Prospects website includes a Property and Construction Sector overview which is a useful guide focussing on the diverse range of jobs in this sector along with case studies and occupational profiles.

Target jobs provide an overview of the role of the housing adviser.

Property Week  covers commercial property news UK and worldwide.

Professional Bodies and Trade Associations

Propertymark provides property news as well a knowledge hub

Royal Institute of British Architects website covers jobs, advice, news and events in the world of architecture.

Chartered Institute of Housing is the professional body for housing.  Click on the “qualifications” tab for the careers information section.

Inside Housing is a publication containing news and events as well as a jobs page.

National Council for the Training of Journalists provides information on journalism careers, qualifications and training.

National Union of Journalists – offers careers information and advice on many aspects of journalism. Specific guidance on freelancing and again web links to a variety of other resources.

The News Media Association provides listings of UK newspapers and newspaper publishers, useful for speculative approaches.

Screenskills offers a specialist careers and information service for all areas of the creative media sector.  This includes TV, radio and publishing. 

The Broadcast Journalism Training Council provides general advice, along with links to a few main broadcasters.

The Prospects site provides an overview of the media and internet sector including many areas within journalism and publishing.

Media.info provides listings of newspapers and magazines.

Journalism.co.uk provides information on training and jobs.

Hold the front page contains news, training and job information.

Target Jobs offers pages on media, journalism and publishing.

The Society of Young Publishers provides information to anyone seeking to break into the publishing business.

The Publishers Association (PA) is the leading trade organisation serving book, journal, audio and electronic publishers in the UK.

Inside Book Publishing includes a section on getting into publishing.

Bookcareers.com provides information on careers in the book industry.

Generic Sites

The Prospects website includes a section on the media and internet industry.  This outlines the main graduate roles, entry requirements and typical employers and vacancy sources.

Screenskills provides careers information on all aspects of the creative industries including TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation.

Creative and Cultural Skills includes careers information on film, TV, radio and interactive media industries as well as jobs listings.

Creative Toolkit provides information and links for digital media, film, radio, TV and theatre.

Community Media Association provides advice on volunteering within community media.

Media.info supports a UK directory of media organisations (includes job board).

British Academy of Film and Television Arts, includes industry news and information on competitions and events.

Creative England offers support for regional film and digital media.

The Knowledge Online is an online directory for the Film & TV industry – use this to identify companies for speculative approaches.

The Stage includes theatre-related news and a jobs board.

Televisual covers film and TV news and information.

Variety covers news on film, TV and digital sectors.

Creative media industries report is hosted at the University of Warwick. It includes details such as workforce, skills shortage areas and expected sector trends.

The Guardian media section is a useful source of background information.

Broadcast Now is a source of news and jobs.

The Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU), is the trade union covering all technical and production staff in broadcasting, film and independent production. Publishes job vacancies and useful information.

Campaign is an advertising and media magazine and covers TV, cinema and radio industry news.

FILM

Filmmaking.net includes information on the film industry including a links directory.

British Film Institute provides information on the industry including funding information.

Raindance organises a festival for independent film (volunteering opportunities) and offers training courses for the industry.  There is also an article listing relevant job vacancy sources.

European Documentary Network is an organisation representing the interests of documentary makers. The website provides information and news.

British Council Film site includes for example directories of film festivals, competitions and industry information.

Screenwriting tips and advice advises on how to write a film script.

Hollywood Reporter focuses on US film and TV industry news.

Screen Daily provides film industry news.

UK Screen Alliance is a film & music network site with news and reviews.

TV

Startin TV is a site offering advice and information for anyone wanting to start a career in film and TV.

BBC Careers includes details of BBC training schemes and work experience.

Channel 4 Talent includes information on schemes and vacancies.

Broadcast now is a source of TV industry news.

RADIO

The Hospital Broadcasting Association provides links to all hospital radio services.

DIGITAL MEDIA

Animation Arena is a US site providing digital animation news.

AV magazine contains news and information from the audio-visual industry.  It also includes a company directory.

British Interactive Media Association supports the digital media industry.  The site includes news and a member directory.

EConsultancy Jobs Although this is primarily a jobs board, it includes a career insight section providing information on careers in digital marketing.

Approved index provides listings of some web design and development companies as well as SEO specialists in London.

Skills for Care works with social care employers in England to establish the standards and qualifications that will equip workers with the skills needed to deliver high quality care.  It includes a career in care section as well as information on their graduate scheme.

Social Care online is the UK's largest database of information and research on all aspects to the UK's largest database of information and research on all aspects of social care and social work.

Community Care website provides news, information resources and job vacancies listings.

Graduate Prospects is the UK's leading provider of information, advice and opportunities to students and graduates. The website includes an overview of the healthcare sector and links to a variety of graduate roles.

The National Guidance Research Forum links to social care sector information hosted at the University of Warwick. This includes details such as workforce, skills shortage areas and expected sector trends.

Health Careers is a website outlining career options within the NHS. It provides information on the range of roles available as well as the skills and qualifications required.

The British Association of Social Workers site includes news and an education and training section.

The Prospects website includes a section on the IT sector. This provides information on a range of graduate roles within the sector as well as access to job profiles, entry requirements, career development and typical employers and vacancy sources.

Similarly, Target Jobs gives an overview of the IT sector, including detailed descriptions of job roles and profiles of IT employers.

The Tech Partnership includes a Tech Future Careers section with information on a variety of employers.

BCS includes career guides and advice on CVs for the IT sector.

Women in Technology (Women in Tech UK) is a career advice site, featuring the latest job opportunities, event listings, mentorships, and guides for women working in technology.

Bubble Jobs is a jobs board but also includes a digital careers guide.

Approved index provides listings of some web design and development companies in London.

SFG20 recently published an informative blog post aimed at students interested in a career in software development

The Prospects website provides an overview of the legal sector including job roles, entry requirements, training and progression.

LawCareers.Net tells you everything you need to know to begin your career in law whether you are looking for a training contract to become a solicitor or a pupillage to become a barrister or if you want to find out more about the paralegal or legal executive route.

The Bar Council provides information, news and careers events about becoming a barrister.

Skills for Justice is an impartial, employer-led organisation that has some introductory information on legal sector roles. 

The Solicitors Regulation Authority provides information about the stages of study in order to become a solicitor and then offers advice, guidance and details of regulations once you are working as a solicitor.

All About Law contains information on courses and jobs.

The Prospects website includes a section on careers in science and pharmaceuticals. There is detailed information on the sector including examples of employers, job roles, vacancy sources and post-graduate options.  

The Target Jobs site includes a section on science and research.  This covers for example areas such as forensics, biomedical science, microbiology, toxicology, pharmacology and immunology.

Cogent is the skills council for the science sector and covers for example life sciences and pharmaceuticals. The website includes specialist sections on careers in these areas.

Viapath has created a podcast series that showcases scientists at the heart of the NHS. Inside Pathology is an experience designed to inspire anyone with an interest in science and healthcare. Weaving patient stories with expert interviews through the lens of genetics, transplantation and virology, each episode aims to answer these critical questions:

• How does clinical science unlock life-changing diagnoses for patients?
• What is the path to a successful career in healthcare science?
• What challenges do pathology services overcome to provide quality services?

Health Careers provides general information on careers in the NHS, including those which are scientifically based. In particular, you can use the “explore roles” tab to access information on roles in healthcare science. 

There is a specialist NHS Scientist Training Programming aimed at science graduates.

The Royal Society of Biology website hosts a careers section.

The website of the Institute of Biomedical Science hosts a careers section as well as a jobs board.

The Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry represents biopharmaceutical companies and their website includes a comprehensive careers section. 

The Royal Society of Chemistry website has a careers section for students.  Student membership gives access to their specialist careers information and advice service.

The British Pharmacological Society produces a careers leaflet and has a jobs page on its website which includes funded research opportunities.

The Royal College of Nursing provides a comprehensive careers resource for registered nurses.  They also provide information on opportunities overseas.  

The Degrees and Careers website provides a guide to exploring nursing careers.  

The Nurse Journal hosts an article: The 35 Best Specialty Career Choices for Nurses

The RCN website provides advice on Career Progression tips

Nurses.co.uk provides information on career progression for general practice nurses 

Oxford University Hospitals provide a document called "pathways in nursing"

Similarly University Hospitals Plymouth produce a document "nursing roles and career pathway"

The Prospects website contains a section providing background on the retail sector, the roles for graduates within it and the skills which employers commonly require.

Target Jobs covers the main roles for graduates in the sector along with information on key skills required and what to expect during the selection process.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is the lead trade association representing the whole range of retailers, from the large multiples and department stores through to independents.  The site publicises events and links to The Retailer online magazine.

The British Independent Retailers Association is the trade association for independent retailers.  The site contains a blog and information on events.

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply is an international organisation, serving the purchasing and supply sector. Refer particularly to the Careers in Procurement pages.

The Retail Gazette Covers the latest retail industry news and includes a jobs section.

Retail Week Retail industry news, market data and retail jobs from across the sector.

Get into Teaching Up to date information on routes into teaching, gaining school-based experience, making applications for initial teacher training courses, funding of teacher training and teaching salaries.

Teach First offer a 2-year leadership development programme where high flying graduates are placed in challenging schools. The programme incorporates completion of a PGCE.

Prospects provide information on the range of options available in the teaching/education sector including how to apply for teacher training courses, and sources of vacancies for teaching posts.

Target Jobs has a comprehensive section on teaching, including details on teacher training options.

UCAS Teacher Training Use for listings for Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses, and vacancies on School Direct and School Centred Initial Teacher Training.  Applications are also made through this site.

Although Teach in Herts specifically promotes teaching in Hertfordshire, it also provides advice generally around routes into teaching.

FE advice provides information on teaching within the further education and skills sector, including entry requirements, teacher training options and funding. This site includes information on teaching literacy, numeracy and ESOL.

CactusTEFL provides information on the variety of TEFL courses available and issues to consider when choosing.