Checked 27 October 2026. Every date, rule and salary comes from the scheme's own official page, read on 27 October 2026. Graduate schemes open and close each year and can change their dates; the official page always decides. "Expected" dates are the schemes' own word, not fixed dates.
Fast Stream online-test results "should be available in December 2026", says the official online-tests page, and the assessment centres "run from November until February". If yours ends in a no, this page lists the other graduate routes into public service with the dates and rules on their own official pages, read on 27 October 2026. It does not guess anyone's chances. It tells you what is open, when it closes, and who can apply.
A note from us
Applying to the Fast Stream is a big step, and there is a lot to take in. We have tried to set out what is published as plainly as we can. Take it one section at a time, and come back whenever it helps.
Read on the LGA, GOV.UK and Civil Service Careers pages on 27 October 2026.
Timing matters more than anything else on this page
- Many graduate schemes recruit in the autumn, before Fast Stream results. The NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme for 2027 entry closes on 28 October 2026 at 11.30am, and HMRC's Tax Specialist Programme 2027 closed on 26 October 2026.
- Some stay open into the new year: Impact until 6 January 2027, Teach Lead Change and Approach Social Work with no fixed closing date published.
- Others open in 2027: the GLP Pupil Barrister campaign (expected early January), Police Now's March 2028 intake ("early next year"), the GLP Trainee Solicitor campaign (expected April).
Our summary of the official dates in the tables below.
Every route at a glance, as published on 27 October 2026
| Route | Status on 27 Oct 2026 | Key date | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Service jobs, direct entry (EO, HEO, SEO) | Current vacancies: apply any time | See each job advert | See each job advert |
| Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme (formerly NGDP), Cohort 29 | Open since 7 Oct 2026 | Closes 6 Jan 2027, 12pm | Minimum 2:2 in any subject; right to work, no sponsorship |
| GLP Legal Trainee Scheme | Between campaigns | Pupil Barrister: expected early Jan 2027. Trainee Solicitor: expected Apr 2027 | Minimum 2:2 honours qualifying law degree, or a 2:2 honours non-law degree plus a pass in a law conversion (GDL, PGDL or CPE), or listed equivalent qualifications |
| Police Now National Graduate Programme | March 2027 vacancies listed for some forces | March 2028 intake: applications "will open early next year" | 2:2 or above; nationality, status and residence rules vary by force |
| Teach Lead Change (Teach First) | Applications open | No closing date published | 2:1 (a 2:2 for secondary only); GCSE English and maths at 4/C |
| Approach Social Work (Frontline), 2027 cohort | Applications open | "Locations close as they reach capacity" | 2:2 honours; resident in England |
| NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, 2027 entry | Closing | Closes 28 Oct 2026, 11.30am; next intake dates not published | 2:2 in any subject or equivalent; right to work for the whole Scheme |
| HMRC Tax Specialist Programme 2027 | Closed | Applications closed 26 Oct 2026 | See the next campaign when announced |
| Civil Service Fast Stream, 2027 entry | Open | Closes midday 5 Nov 2026; the next window is not announced | Most schemes 2:2 or above |
Which routes fit your answers?
Answer four questions. The list uses the eligibility rules each scheme publishes and today's date. It cannot tell you your chances, and each scheme's own page decides.
Rules read on 27 October 2026 on each scheme's official page. "Expected" dates are the schemes' own word. Not legal or immigration advice.
The Civil Service without the Fast Stream
The Fast Stream is one way in, not the only one. Civil Service Careers says "you don't need to participate in a talent development programme to start your journey. You can browse and apply for current vacancies anytime through the Civil Service jobs portal." Graduates can apply directly for jobs at these grades:
| Grade | Average starting salary | Entry routes (official) |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Officer (EO) | £27,000 | Direct applications and apprenticeships |
| Higher Executive Officer (HEO) | £32,000 | Direct applications and graduate Fast Stream programmes |
| Senior Executive Officer (SEO) | £39,000 | Direct applications and completion of the Fast Stream programme |
The grades page adds that salary depends on grade and role and "can also vary depending on the government department you work in". Check each advert on Civil Service Jobs for its requirements and process.
How a direct application is assessed
Applications are assessed against the advert using Success Profiles. Civil Service Careers says: "We assess a combination of behaviours, strengths, experience, ability and technical skills." At the sift you may be asked to take an online test. Seven are commonly used: the Verbal Test, the Numerical Test, the Judgement Test, the Management Judgement Test, the Work Strengths Test, the Customer Service Skills Test and the Casework Skills Test. Then usually an interview, or an assessment centre that may combine tests, presentations and interviews.
Civil Service Careers gives one example from start to finish: the advert asks for a CV and a personal statement; you are sent a link to an online verbal reasoning test; your test, CV and personal statement pass the sift; three interviewers then ask about the strengths for the job and the behaviours in the advert. It adds that it is "unlikely that any two recruitment exercises for different jobs will be done in the same way", so follow each advert's instructions.
Don't confuse the two sets of tests
- The Fast Stream online tests are the Work-based scenarios and the Case Study assessment.
- Civil Service Jobs adverts use the seven tests above, such as the Civil Service Judgement Test.
- They are different tests: check which tests your application names.
The in-service route back into the Fast Stream
If you join the Civil Service, you can later apply to the Fast Stream as a civil servant. The in-service page says the route "exists to allow serving civil servants to apply for some schemes without a degree". In-service candidates do not need a degree for 12 schemes: Commercial, Cyber Security, Digital, Diplomatic & Development, Fast Stream Yorkshire and the Humber, Finance, Government Policy, HR, Operational Delivery, Project Delivery, Property and Risk Management. Other schemes need the appropriate degree.
| In-service applicants must | What it means in practice (our reading) |
|---|---|
| have passed their probation period before their projected start date | Fast Stream schemes begin "in September or October the year after you apply", so the probation must be over by that start date, not by the day you apply. |
| have been recruited through a process of fair and open competition | Ask your HR team if you joined through an unusual route, such as a temporary or loan arrangement. |
| have maintained continuity of service throughout the selection process | Continuity is normally kept only where a break is under 4 weeks, the offer of re-employment arrives before the last day of the current contract, and you start within 13 weeks of its end. Working for any other employer during a break ends it. |
| not be subject to performance or disciplinary measures | Self-explanatory, and checked during the process. |
Our arithmetic, for planning only: if a Fast Stream campaign opens in 2027 and keeps the rule that schemes begin "in September or October the year after you apply", a projected start would be autumn 2028, and an in-service applicant's probation must be passed before then. Check your contract for your probation length. Candidates transferring from an Arm's Length Body are assessed case by case.
Two specialist Civil Service schemes
HMRC Tax Specialist Programme. The 2027 candidate guide gives an application window of 9 to 26 October 2026, so it is closed; its face-to-face assessment centres run from 25 January to 19 February 2027. No next campaign has been announced. Civil Service Careers describes it as open to university graduates and existing civil servants.
Government Legal Profession Legal Trainee Scheme (training contracts and pupillages in government legal teams). GOV.UK says the next Pupil Barrister campaign "is expected to launch in early January 2027" and the next Trainee Solicitor campaign "in April 2027". Each route needs at least a 2:2 honours qualifying law degree, or a 2:2 honours non-law degree (or an overseas equivalent) plus a pass in a law conversion (GDL, PGDL or CPE), or listed equivalent qualifications, and the professional training the route names before you start (for pupil barristers, the Bar Training Course). It is not open to anyone on, or who has completed, a GLP trainee scheme, and it cannot sponsor a work permit.
Impact: the local government route still open into January
The LGA's graduate programme was the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP) for over 20 years and was renamed Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme in June 2024. Its timeline for Cohort 29:
| Stage | When | What the LGA says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application form and situational judgement test | 7 October 2026 to 6 January 2027 (12pm) | 24 scenarios, each with three possible responses: you select the most and least appropriate. Untimed; about 30-45 minutes on average. |
| 2. Video interview | From January 2027 | Three questions, timed, one chance to re-record each. |
| 3. Assessment centre | February to March 2027 | Half-day, virtual: a written task, a group discussion and a presentation. |
| Getting to know councils | April 2027 | Successful candidates state preferences for councils. |
| 4. Council interviews | May to June 2027 | All successful candidates are invited to at least one interview. Accept an offer and you join Cohort 29, starting in autumn 2027. |
Eligibility: a minimum 2:2 undergraduate degree in any subject, by July 2026 to July 2027, and the right to work in the UK for the two-year programme; the LGA cannot sponsor visas. The FAQ says there is no limit on how long ago you graduated. Pay: a minimum salary of £33,673, which may be higher in some areas. You rotate through three to four placements on a minimum two-year fixed-term contract and take a funded CMI Level 7 qualification. You can apply for only one Impact programme a year; the Finance Stream adds a numeracy test. The LGA works with local authorities in England and Wales, and also points to Pathways to Planning, a partner graduate scheme for planners in local government.
Don't confuse the test formats
- Impact's test: pick the most and least appropriate of three responses.
- The Fast Stream Work-based scenarios: rate how effective each action is.
Police Now, Teach Lead Change, Approach Social Work and the NHS
| Scheme | Degree | Other rules | Pay (official) | Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police Now National Graduate Programme | 2:2 or above by the programme start date | Level 3 qualifications equal to at least two A-levels; nationality, settled or pre-settled status and a 3-year residence rule that vary by force; "over 17" to apply and 18 by appointment; a full UK manual driving licence for some forces; vetting | Starting £32,256 to £43,689, depending on location | March |
| Teach Lead Change (Teach First) | 2:1 honours; a 2:2 considered for secondary only (primary and early years: 2:1) | GCSE grade 4/C in English and maths; right to work for the whole programme, no sponsorship, visa secured by April of the start year | First year, rest of England: £23,732 (primary) to £28,758 (secondary maths, science, languages) | Its own example: June 2027 |
| Approach Social Work (Frontline) | 2:2 undergraduate honours | GCSE English Language grade C/4; right to work and study in the UK until September 2030; resident in England; not already social-work qualified | Year one: a bursary of £18,000 (£20,000 in London) | 2027 cohort |
| NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme | 2:2 in any subject, a postgraduate qualification, or listed equivalents (Engineering & Estates: a 2:2 in mechanical, electrical or building services engineering on an accredited course) | Right to work in the UK for the whole Scheme; no age limit; NHS employees can apply | Starting £31,276, with the opportunity to increase to £33,681 after 12 months | First Monday of September 2027 (2027 entry) |
Police Now: from online application to a conditional offer "can take as little as 2-3 weeks", and vetting then "typically takes 2-4 months". Its specialisms are Neighbourhood, Detective, Economic Crime and Counter Terrorism, on a two-year salaried programme with a training academy. On 27 October 2026 its application page listed March 2027 vacancies in some forces, and its programme page said applications for the March 2028 intake "will open early next year".
Teach Lead Change: primary eligibility is "under review" and primary applications open "from early 2027"; secondary applications are open now. The process: an application form of about 60 minutes, an online assessment sent one working day later and due within five days, screening within 20 working days, then a one-day Development Centre. The form "will automatically indicate how your choices align with current availability" of subjects and locations.
Approach Social Work: registration, an application form, an online test, an assessment centre, then pre-employment checks, on a three-year programme towards a master's degree. In years two and three participants work as social workers; Frontline reports participant salaries of £30,000 to £39,000 in year two.
NHS GMTS: an online assessment, a video assessment, then a half-day virtual assessment centre (January and February 2027 for this intake), with a feedback report after each stage. Applications for 2027 entry close on 28 October 2026 at 11.30am; watch the apply page for the next campaign.
Which routes fit your situation
| Your situation | Routes whose published rules allow it | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| A 2:2 degree | Impact, Police Now, Approach Social Work, NHS GMTS (on its 2027-entry rules), GLP (with the legal qualifications it names), most Fast Stream schemes | Teach Lead Change considers a 2:2 for secondary only; Civil Service Jobs: check each advert |
| You need visa sponsorship | None of the schemes on this page says it sponsors; Impact, Teach Lead Change and GLP say they cannot | Civil Service Jobs: check each advert |
| You want to start before autumn 2027 | Police Now March 2027 vacancies (some forces); Civil Service Jobs adverts | Teach Lead Change (its example start is June 2027) |
| You live outside England | None of the schemes here requires residence in England except Approach Social Work. Impact councils are in England and Wales | Police Now: residence and nationality rules vary by force |
| A law degree or conversion | GLP Legal Trainee Scheme | Not open to anyone on or who completed a GLP trainee scheme |
Applying to the Fast Stream again
Nothing we read on the official pages limits how often you can apply. The application service says: "If you've applied previously or have an account on Civil Service Jobs, you will need to create a new account to apply this year." The 2027-entry window runs from midday 8 October to midday 5 November 2026; the next has not been announced. If you reached the assessment centre, save your feedback report: it "will be removed at the end of May 2027", and you cannot request it after that date. How to turn that feedback into a plan is in our guide to reading the feedback report and reapplying.
What we could not find
Not on any official page we read on 27 October 2026
- Any limit on how often you can apply to the Fast Stream, or a waiting period between applications.
- The dates of the next Fast Stream window, of NHS GMTS 2028 entry and of HMRC's next Tax Specialist campaign.
- A closing date for Teach Lead Change, or for each Approach Social Work location.
Frequently asked questions
What graduate schemes can I apply for after a Fast Stream rejection?
On 27 October 2026: Impact (local government, open until 6 January 2027, 12pm), Teach Lead Change and Approach Social Work (open, no fixed closing date published), Police Now (March 2027 vacancies in some forces; the March 2028 intake opens early 2027), the GLP Legal Trainee Scheme (Pupil Barrister campaign expected early January 2027) and direct Civil Service jobs all year. The NHS GMTS for 2027 entry closes on 28 October 2026.
Is the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme still open?
Not for long: applications for 2027 entry close on 28 October 2026 at 11.30am, before Fast Stream online-test results, which "should be available in December 2026". Dates for the next intake are not yet published.
What happened to the NGDP?
It is now called Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme. The LGA renamed it in June 2024; it ran as the National Graduate Development Programme for over 20 years. Cohort 29 applications close on 6 January 2027 at 12pm.
Can I join the Civil Service without the Fast Stream?
Yes. Civil Service Careers says you can apply for current vacancies at any time through Civil Service Jobs. Direct entry routes include Executive Officer (average starting salary £27,000) and Higher Executive Officer (£32,000); check each advert.
Can I apply to the Fast Stream again if I join the Civil Service?
Yes, through the in-service route, which also lets serving civil servants apply for 12 schemes without a degree. You must pass probation before your projected start date, have been recruited through fair and open competition, keep continuity of service and not be under performance or disciplinary measures.
Can I reapply to the Fast Stream next year?
We found no official limit on reapplying. The application service says previous applicants must create a new account. The next window has not been announced; the 2027-entry window is 8 October to 5 November 2026.
Do these schemes sponsor visas?
None of the schemes on this page says it sponsors. Impact, Teach Lead Change and the GLP say they cannot. For Civil Service Jobs, check each advert.
Good luck from all of us
Whatever stage you are at, getting this far takes real effort, and that is worth being proud of. Prepare at a pace that works for you, check the official Civil Service Careers pages for anything that decides your application, and look after yourself along the way. We are wishing you every success.
Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.
More in this series
- Fast Stream online tests
- Fast Stream assessment centre (FSAC)
- Fast Stream success rates by scheme
- Fast Stream schemes and eligibility
- Fast Stream salary by year
- Fast Stream vs other routes
- Case Study assessment: format and practice
- Fast Stream feedback report explained
- Fast Stream 2027 application dates and timeline
- Online tests: pass mark and results
- Situational judgement test (Work-based scenarios)
- Is there a numerical test?
- Fast Stream practice test (free)
- Work-based scenarios answers and tips
- Fast Stream work style questionnaire
- Fast Stream example questions
- Fast Stream acceptance rate
- Feedback report: a plan to reapply
- UK Fast Stream notice board — alerts and updates
Sources
- official — Civil Service Careers — Fast Stream online tests
- official — FSAC guide — Attending the virtual Fast Stream Assessment Centre
- official — FSAC guide — After the Fast Stream Assessment Centre
- official — Civil Service Fast Stream application service — create your account
- official — Civil Service Careers — Fast Stream: understanding the application process
- official — Civil Service Careers — Fast Stream (home)
- official — Civil Service Careers — Early careers
- official — Civil Service Careers — Grades and salaries
- official — Civil Service Careers — About the application process
- official — Civil Service Careers — Assessments and interviews
- official — Civil Service Careers — Existing civil servants applying to the Fast Stream
- official — HMRC — Tax Specialist Programme 2027 recruitment process candidate guide (via HMRC careers; read 21 Oct 2026)
- official — GOV.UK — GLP Legal Trainee Scheme: how to apply
- official — LGA — Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme for candidates
- official — LGA — Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme timeline
- official — LGA — Impact FAQs
- official — Police Now — National Graduate Programme
- official — Police Now — Application process
- official — Police Now — Eligibility
- official — Teach Lead Change (Teach First) — Apply
- official — Teach Lead Change — Eligibility
- official — Teach Lead Change — Salary and benefits
- official — Frontline — Approach Social Work
- official — NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme — Apply
- official — NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme — Entry requirements
- official — NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme — home page (pay; Internet Archive copy of 7 Oct 2026)
official = a document published by the conducting body. reported = a news or coaching site we could not check against an original. Where sources disagree this page says so rather than picking one.
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