2026 EMPLOYER GUIDES7 min read

Guide for Network Rail Early Careers 2026

Here’s what you’ll uncover in this guide:

1. Network Rail Early Careers

What are Network Rail’s early career programmes?

The Network Rail early career programmes provide a handful of exciting opportunities for young talents to kickstart their careers and get quality foundational years of experience. In these programs, you’ll enjoy unrivalled experience and expert training.

Below is the range of opportunities Network Rail has made available for you to kickstart your career:

  1. Graduate Schemes
  2. Apprenticeships
  3. Summer Placements
  4. Year In Industry Placements

Good to Know: If you are an international student, it’s key that you have the right to work full-time in the UK before your program starts. Any offers will remain conditional until your right to work status has been approved and confirmed.

Let’s check out each of these programs below!

Network Rail Graduate Schemes

What are the Network Rail graduate schemes?

The Network Rail graduate schemes are programs that offer the expert training and professional development you need to build a secure and successful career. You will gain hands-on experience across a wide range of roles and projects.

What Network Rail graduate schemes can I apply to?

The Network Rail graduate schemes offer roles in the following business areas:

CommercialFinanceProject Management
Network StrategyOperations ManagementIT and Business Services

Below are the eligibility criteria for the Network Rail graduate scheme.

Eligibility Criteria for Network Rail Graduate Schemes

  • Education: For engineering graduate schemes, you will need at least a 2:2 in a related engineering degree. For business function graduate schemes, you need at least a 2:2 in any degree (except the Property Graduate scheme, where you need a 2:2 in a similar degree).
  • Experience: No specific prior experience is required, but a relevant field of study is required for the engineering business areas.

Good to Know: The Network Rail graduate scheme lasts between 18 months and four years. While applications typically open in autumn, it’s important to register interest on their website first.

Let’s move on to find out more about the Network Rail apprenticeships.

Network Rail Apprenticeships

What are Network Rail apprenticeships?

Network Rail apprenticeships offer all the structure, support, and experience you need to grow and develop while also offering you more career paths. This program allows you to earn while also studying to earn a degree or qualification.

What Network Rail apprenticeships can I apply for?

The Network Rail apprenticeships offer roles in the following business areas:

Rail Engineering TechnicianInfrastructure Operations
FinanceEngineering

Let’s find out the eligibility criteria for the Network Rail apprenticeship schemes.

Eligibility Criteria for Network Rail Apprenticeships

  • Education: A minimum of GCSE grades is required. However, note that there are some varying specific requirements based on the level of apprenticeship and the business area.
  • Experience: No specific prior experience is required.

Good to Know: Depending on the level and business area, a Network Rail apprenticeship can last between 2 and 5 years. It’s important to register interest on their website first.

The next early career opportunities you can explore are the Network Rail internships, starting with the Network Rail summer placements.

Network Rail Summer Placements

What is the Network Rail Summer Placements Program?

The Network Rail summer program helps you experience a career with the company. You will work in a specific business area where you will have real responsibilities and be able to share ideas, voice opinions and show what you’re made of.

What Network Rail summer placements can I apply to?

The Network Rail summer placements offer roles in the following business areas:

Data AnalyticsCivil EngineeringProject Management
FinanceElectrical EngineeringNetwork Strategy

Below are the eligibility criteria for this Network Rail internship.

Eligibility Criteria for Network Rail Summer Placements

  • Education: Penultimate year at university, and on track to achieve at least a 2:2 in any degree. For the engineering placements, at least a 2:2 in a similar engineering degree.
  • Experience: This requires no previous work experience; a relevant field of study is required for the engineering business areas.

Good to Know: The Network Rail summer placements last for ten weeks and are open for applications in autumn. While applications typically open in autumn, it’s important to register interest on their website first.

Another early career opportunity under the Network Rail internships is the Network Rail year in industry placements.

Read on as we dive into this program.

Network Rail Year In Industry Placements

What is the Network Rail Year In Industry Placements Program?

Network Rail’s year in industry placements program will give you the chance to experience the Network Rail culture, discover career varieties and gain exposure to a wide range of projects and possibilities.

What Network Rail industry placements can I apply to?

The Network Rail industry placements offer roles in the following business areas:

Mechanical EngineeringCivil EngineeringProject Management
FinanceOperations ManagementIT and Business Services

Let’s find out the eligibility criteria for this Network Rail internship.

Eligibility Criteria for Network Rail Year in Industry Placements

  • Education: Penultimate year at university, and on track to achieve at least a 2:2 in any degree. For the engineering placements, at least a 2:2 in a similar engineering degree.
  • Experience: This requires no prior professional experience, but a relevant field of study is required for the engineering business areas.

Good to Know: The duration of the Network Rail year in industry placements is 1 year, and applications typicallyopen in autumn. While applications typically open in autumn, it’s important to register interest on their website first.

Read on to discover the application process for the Network Rail early career roles.

2. Network Rail Recruitment Process

What is the Network Rail application process for early career schemes?

From research, it shows that the Network Rail recruitment process typically includes the following stages:

  1. Network Rail Online Application
  2. Network Rail Situational Judgement Test
  3. Network Rail Numerical Reasoning Test
  4. Network Rail Verbal Reasoning Test
  5. Network Rail Logical Reasoning Test
  6. Network Rail Video Interview
  7. Network Rail Assessment Centre

Good to Know: AON is well-known for developing game-based assessments and may be used to provide some interactive assessments for Network Rail. The interactive assessments are simply aptitude tests with gamified characteristics.

Do you want to practice for all the Network Rail assessments?

Prepare for the Network Rail recruitment process with us. Practice the suitable tests for each stage today!

Practice Situational Judgement Tests

Practice Situational Judgement Tests

Practice Numerical Reasoning Tests

Practice Numerical Reasoning Tests

Practice Verbal Reasoning Tests

Practice Verbal Reasoning Tests

Practice Logical Reasoning Tests

Practice Logical Reasoning Tests

Practice Video Interviews

Practice Video Interviews

Prepare for your Assessment Centre

Prepare for your Assessment Centre

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Before you start your Network Rail application process, explore the FAQs section below for more answers about the Network Rail early careers.

3. Network Rail Early Career FAQs

1 How long does it take to hear back from Network Rail?

It could take as early as two weeks to hear back from Network Rail after completing the assessments. Sometimes, it takes longer, between 4 and 6 weeks. The Network Rail application process could last for two months.

2 Where is the Network Rail assessment centre?

Network Rail’s assessment centre could either be virtual or physical. If your assessment centre is held in person, you will receive an invitation to one of Network Rail’s offices.

3 What to expect in a Network Rail interview?

You can expect a structured and comprehensive interview. The specific format and questions may vary depending on the position you’re applying for, but the interview will mostly probe for competencies and behaviours in a work environment.

4 How difficult are the Network Rail assessments and interviews?

The Network Rail online assessment tests and interviews can be challenging, depending on the role. To prepare effectively, you should practice psychometric tests and interviews, and research Network Rail’s values and approach to work.

5 What is the salary for graduates at Network Rail?

The Network Rail graduate scheme offers varying salaries depending on the program. Network Rail graduates earn around £29,000–£34,000.

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This article was last updated on 28 April 2026. All information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication, based on publicly available sources. For the most up-to-date details, please verify directly with the employer.

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