Ethnicity

Many organisations actively seek applications from ethnic minorities who may be underrepresented in their work force. There are a number of schemes in existence aimed at helping students and graduates gain the experience and skills that employers are looking for.

  • Civil Service Fast Stream has a diversity internship programme which they recruit for in the autumn. It can lead to a place on the Fast Stream graduate programme. 
  • #10000 black interns - Offering 10,000 internships over 5 years, across 24 sectors involving more than 700 companies.
  • Asian Jobsite - recruitment site advertising vacancies in the public and private sector for ethnic minority students and graduates.
  • Diversiying Group - is a diversity and inclusion consultancy that specialises in matching diverse talent to a range of industries and roles, such as marketing and accountancy.
  • Blue Print Trust - offers a range of opportunities.
  • Diversity Jobsite Official UK BME Recruitment Job Board - vacancies from employers who understand the value of building a diverse workforce.
  • Ethnic Jobsite - a recruitment agency dedicated to serving the needs of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community.
  • Inclusive Graduates - organise networking events, mentoring, internships, skills development and volunteer opportunities for students and graduates  in particular, but not exclusively, for people from minority ethnic backgrounds, women, and those affected by disability, poverty or social and economic circumstance.
  • Rare Recruitment - training and development programmes in different sectors in partnership with clients in banking, consulting, law and the public sector. Internship and graduate opportunities with partner organisations available. 
  • Windsor Fellowship - sponsored undergraduate placements for first year students in national organisations.

Sector Specific Opportunities 

  • Black Fundraisers UK (BF-UK) - is a Special Interest Group of the Institute of Fundraising (IOF). They connect, support and champion fundraisers from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) Communities across the whole of the UK. 
  • Charityworks Taster Programme - provides talented BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) students and recent graduates experience of working in the non-profit sector. 
  • The Sewport Fashion Design Scholarship - a £2,000 scholarship opportunity for BAME students to contribute to their studies as well as free clothing manufacturing to bring their winning design to life.
  • AllAboutLaw Diversity - employability sessions, feedback and networking. 
  • Asian Jobsite - recruitment site advertising vacancies in the public and private sector for ethnic minority students and graduates.
  • BAME Race for Change law event - Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner offer an annual event in London specifically for aspiring black lawyers.
  • Black Solicitors Network - This network is the primary voice of black solicitors in England and Wales; committed to achieving equality of access, retention and promotion of black solicitors.
  • Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship - a scholarship aimed at male first year Black African/Black African Caribbean or Mixed Race students interested in a future career in Law or the City.
  • Law Society Diversity Access Scheme - provides finance, professional contacts and opportunities to those who have faced obstacles to qualification (NB the eligibility criteria are subject to change). Typically open from February to April each year.
  • Pegasus Access and Support Scheme - development programme including mini-pupillage to support aspiring barristers who have not yet started the BPTC. Eligibility based on low socio-economic requirements not BAME, although preference is given to applicants who have participated in certain BAME (and other) programmes.
  • Society of Asian Lawyers - includes details of a mentoring scheme.
  • Society of Black Lawyers
  • Stuart Ross BAME Communications Internship - an 11 month placement for students or recent graduates. Based in one of the UK's busiest press offices, the placement provides the opportunity to develop essential skills for a career in PR. A bursary to cover London living expenses is also provided.
  • Taylor Bennett Foundation - a 10 week programme for graduates interested in a career in public relations or corporate communications.
  • The Guardian Positive Action Scheme - summer scheme offering insight into the profession, working across the newspaper and the website.  
  • Harper Collins - 12-month BAME publishing traineeship. Details available around May each year.
  • The Scheme - a six-month editorial traineeship at Penguin Random House for candidates from BAME or low socioeconomic backgrounds. It’s a chance to experience life in a publishing house, to find out what editorial work is like and to build the basics to start a career in publishing.