AQA 2025 graduate opportunities

• Name: Lucy
• Role: Research Graduate

Description:

Introduction:

Lucy joined AQA’s Early Careers programme in January 2023 on the Research Graduate Scheme. We spoke to her about her experiences on the programme.

What attracted you to AQA’s Early Careers programme?

I did a placement in the research team during my time at university, and I enjoyed it so much that I decided to come back as a Graduate when I finished uni. The people here are amazing and always want to help you learn and develop – I feel like nothing is too much to ask. The Manchester office has also recently undergone a huge refurbishment, making it beautiful and a really productive environment to work in. There’s also perks such as a gym, yoga studio, and a games lounge.

Can you describe your role at AQA?:

My role as a research Graduate varies massively day to day, but some tasks which I often undertake can include reading academic literature to understand the education system more, literature reviews, and quantitative and qualitative analysis. I could be using Power BI to create visualisations and dashboards, analysing datasets and answering research questions, or running focus groups, creating surveys, and undertaking lesson observations. I’ll then present my results to stakeholders through mediums like slide decks, reports or literature reviews.

What do you like about your role, and where do you see it taking you?

I love the fact that every day is different. One day I could be doing some nitty gritty data analysis, and another day I could be at a school doing a lesson observation. It’s also nice to know that the work I do really feels worthwhile as I know I’m having a direct impact on students’ futures. There are people in my team who have worked their way up the career ladder at AQA, so I can see that there is lots of scope for progression. There are also lots of opportunities to work in different teams where you can get more exposure to other areas of the business.

Could you tell us about a project or piece of work you are particularly proud of?

I have contributed to a lot of work surrounding AI in assessment, which includes looking at generative AI to prevent question paper errors. A particular highlight with this project was being able to present some of my work to 200 associates at a conference. I also recently did my first summer series as a ‘flyer’ where I contributed to creating grade boundaries for the awards, which in turn meant that millions of students got the correct grade on results day.

Finally, what training and support have you received at AQA?

I am undertaking a level 4 data analyst qualification, which takes up 20% of my time, which includes workshops and building a portfolio. I also have regular check ins with my line manager to discuss wellbeing, support, and workload, and have been able to take part in some team CPD which includes workshops and training sessions. All of the graduate and apprentices at AQA also have a mentor in a relevant department who we can use for support.

Where are you now?

After the graduate scheme finished, I secured a full-time role as a researcher and moved into the AI for assessment innovation team. I have been in this new team for 6 months and I am still really enjoying it. I get to work on lots of cool and innovative projects exploring how we can use AI safely and effectively within education and assessment.

• Name: Robiul
• Role: Business Graduate

Description:

Introduction:

Robiul joined AQA’s Early Careers programme in January 2022 on the Business Graduate Scheme. We spoke to him about his experiences on the programme.

Can you describe your role at AQA?:

As a Junior Project Manager I assist in the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects. I help to coordinate tasks, communicate with different team members, and ensure that the project objectives are met. 

What do you like about your role, and where do you see it taking you?

As a Project Manager, you’re not confined into one area. You get to work with many different areas of the business and as such, you’re always learning something new with each project you undertake. There is also great career progression in the world of Project Management. You can work your way up from Junior Project Manager to Project Manger, to Programme Manager, to Portfolio Project Manager. You’ve also got the freedom to move to another area of the business because you’re always developing new skills, knowledge, and capabilities as a Project Manager.

What attracted you to AQA’s Early Careers programme?

After finishing university, I didn’t know what the right career path for me was. The Graduate programme gave me the opportunity to explore and try out different fields of work, and settle into one which suits me and my skills the best. As a result, I discovered the world of Project Management as part of the Graduate programme, which ended up being the field I was most interested in and is where I work now.

What is life at AQA like, and what stands out about working with them?

AQA is people-first workplace which makes it a friendly and supportive environment to work in. Because AQA is a charity, it exists to serve a charitable purpose rather than shareholders. There are also a number of networks at AQA, including a Mental Health Hub, Empowering Women Network, LGBTQ+ Network, and a Run Club. The meaningfulness of the work I do, the work culture, and the number of employee benefits all combine to make AQA an attractive employer.  

Finally, do you have any tips for someone wanting to join AQA’s Early Careers programme?

Doing your research on AQA will really help you. AQA is so different to other businesses in terms of the services provided and how the organisation is regulated. Many people think that AQA is just an exam board that writes and marks exam papers, but it’s only when you join that you realise that they are so much more than that! It takes a while to get your head around everything, but if you do your research ahead of time it’ll make it much easier to understand AQA.

• Name: Zoe
• Role: Assessment Graduate

Description:

My journey as a Graduate at AQA was different to most, as I started working there in 2016 as an Administrator before joining the Graduate programme in 2022. I joined AQA after completing my Master’s degree, and wasn’t sure if I would still be able to apply for the Graduate programme, however learned that I was eligible as the only requirement was to have a degree. I chose to apply for the programme so that I could develop the skills and experience required to work at AQA in a more senior role.

In my role as an Assessment Development Coordinator, I am responsible for the authoring of the non-live digital exams including mocks, sample tests, and promotional tests. I also take on other responsibilities including user testing for draft digital exams, and proofreading Root Cause Analysis documentation. I’m proud that my work helps to contribute to the development of digital exams, making them more accessible for students with disabilities. 

I was first attracted to AQA as they are a charity, and I believe that my work should make a positive contribution to the world. The students who sit our exams are always at the heart of what I do, and I feel privileged to contribute to this crucial stage of their lives and give them the chance to shine. AQA has a friendly and welcoming culture, and there’s always support available from managers, mental health first aiders, and coaches. As part of the Early Careers programme, I also received guidance on a range of areas including conflict resolution, playing to my individual strengths, and presentation, networking, and leadership skills.

For anybody considering applying for the Graduate programme, I’d say 100% go for it. Be sure to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the programme you are applying to, as it goes a long way!