By Andre Atallah, CEO of EP Advisory
Graduate Programme · Great Britain · England and Scotland
GB pages read closed · checked 18 October 2026Diageo has published a GB opening dateGB ads open · checked 18 October 2026GB ads had closed · checked 18 October 2026No window open? Your optionsOther Diageo routesMissed it? Your options
Short answer: On 18 October 2026, every Great Britain block on Diageo’s programme pages read: Applications are now closed. Diageo gives no next date.Diageo has published a Great Britain opening date on its programme pages.Diageo’s Great Britain ads were open when we checked on 18 October 2026. Check each ad for its close date.When we checked on 18 October 2026, this cycle’s Great Britain ads had closed. Last cycle, its Great Britain ads were open in October 2025 and had closed by mid-November, so be ready early. Diageo recruits on a rolling basis. You fill in a form, then record a HireVue video, take a HireVue multiple-choice assessment and attend an assessment centre.
Where are you now?
Independent guide. EP Advisory is not affiliated with Diageo.
Diageo says its graduate schemes “last for 1-3 years”. In Great Britain, its pages list eight: Corporate Relations, HR, Marketing, Commercial and four Supply Chain and Procurement schemes based in Scotland.
This playbook uses Diageo’s own pages for every rule and date. For nearly 10 years, we’ve helped more than 5,000 professionals get hired. Want to know if your CV will pass screening in the UK? Check your CV for free: a score in 30 seconds, then a fix for each problem.
01/11
Your route to an offer
Where things stand
On 18 October 2026, every Great Britain block on Diageo’s programme pages read: Applications are now closed. Diageo gives no next date.Diageo has published a Great Britain opening date. Check its programme pages.Diageo’s Great Britain ads were open when we checked on 18 October 2026. Check each ad for its close date.When we checked on 18 October 2026, this cycle’s Great Britain ads had closed. Get ready for the next window.
Last cycle (2026 intake): Great Britain ads were open by 6 October 2025. Every block read closed by 16 November 2025.
Your move: set up Diageo’s free job alert, then get ready.find your scheme’s ad on Diageo’s job board, then apply.set up Diageo’s free job alert, then get ready for next time.
Diageo’s graduate FAQs, read on 18 October 2026: “The timing of our graduate programme applications can vary depending on the programme and location.” We give no countdown, so check Diageo’s own pages for dates.
Pick your stage and tick each step when done. Stages are Diageo’s, in its order. Prep times are ours. The colours show the type of stage: teal to apply, maroon for interviews, royal for tests and gold for the final round.
1. Get ready and apply
A short form and a CV of up to two pages. Prep 1 to 2 days, before you apply.
2. HireVue video: about 30 minutes
Recorded answers to pre-set questions, with time to prepare each one. Prep 3 to 5 days.
3. Online assessment: about 30 minutes, multiple choice
A HireVue multiple-choice assessment, if Diageo invites you. Diageo says there is no need to prepare.
4. Assessment centre: virtual or in person
Several exercises, with at least five working days’ notice. Prep 1 to 2 weeks.
Your ticks save on this device.
02/11
Get ready now
Diageo recruits on a rolling basis, so be ready to apply early. Its FAQs say “we view applications as they come in. So we highly recommend that you apply as soon as possible.”
Set up the job alert
Diageo’s own free alert, on its Workday job board. It needs a Workday account.
Pick one scheme
Diageo recommends “you only apply for the one graduate scheme”.
Cut your CV to two pages
“a CV should be no longer than two pages”. A cover letter is optional.
Know your why
Diageo asks you to be clear on why you want the role. Write it in two lines.
Learn the brands and the business
Diageo says to read its website “and Annual Report” before the video.
Practise on camera
Diageo suggests you “record yourself answering interview questions”.
On Diageo’s how to apply page, “Create job alert” opens its Workday alerts page. We have not signed up. You can also check Diageo’s job board and filter by location. Diageo also says “Follow Diageo on LinkedIn” to stay up to date.
Last cycle: the 2026 intake, from Diageo’s archived pages
6 Oct 2025
Corporate Relations and Commercial Great Britain ads were open
23 Oct 2025
The four Scotland Supply Chain and Procurement ads were open
16 Nov 2025
Every Great Britain block read closed
18 October 2026
Every Great Britain block read: Applications are now closedDiageo had published a Great Britain opening dateGreat Britain ads were open. Check each ad’s close dateThis cycle’s Great Britain ads had closed
The lesson: last cycle’s window was short and in the autumn, so be ready early. These dates come from Wayback Machine captures of Diageo’s own Corporate Relations, Commercial and Supply Chain pages. They show when ads were open, not the exact open and close dates.
03/11
The programme at a glance
Eight Great Britain schemes, each with its own block on Diageo’s pages. Where Diageo is silent, we say so.
None openDate setOpenClosed
GB blocks on 18 October 2026GB opening date publishedGB ads, checked 18 October 2026GB ads, checked 18 October 2026
1 to 3 yrs
Length, by scheme
8
Schemes with a GB block
Not given
Pay figure
2 x 30 min
HireVue video and assessment
One
Scheme Diageo recommends
The Great Britain schemes: pick one
| Scheme | Where | Length, in Diageo’s words |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate Relations | Great Britain | “two-year rotation programme” |
| Human Resources | Great Britain | Two rotations; “lasts for two years” |
| Marketing | Great Britain | “three-year rotational programme” |
| Commercial | Great Britain | “three-year graduate scheme” |
| Operations | Scotland and Ireland | “3-year rotational” |
| Planning and Logistics | Scotland and Ireland | “3-year rotational” |
| Procurement | Scotland | “3-year rotational”, “3 rotations” |
| Science and Innovation | Scotland and Ireland | “3-year rotational” |
The last four are Supply Chain and Procurement schemes, all on one page. For Marketing and Commercial, we print the Great Britain blocks’ own wording. The intros on the same pages say two years, so check your ad. Digital and Technology and Finance had no Great Britain block on 18 October 2026, so check when the ads open.
Where these facts come from
- Length. Diageo’s graduate programmes page says “Our graduate schemes last for 1-3 years”. Each scheme’s length is from its own Great Britain block.
- Locations. “The locations vary between schemes and are different from year to year.” The function pages name England (London) and Scotland.
- Pay. No figure on any page. Diageo says “you’ll enjoy an attractive benefit and rewards package”.
- Degree. You must “Have obtained or be expecting to obtain an academic degree”. Diageo names no degree class or subject.
- Start month. Not stated on any page.
- Support. Diageo’s FAQs list a line manager, a local buddy and a business mentor. HR manages your rotations.
04/11
What Diageo looks for
Diageo says: “We’re looking for authentic, team-spirited people who follow their instincts, take educated risks and look to champion, influence and inspire at every turn.” Have one story for each part.
Authentic
Every stage on Diageo’s pages repeats “be yourself”. Use your own words and real examples.
Team-spirited
Show it with a time you helped a group finish something hard.
Follows their instincts
Show it with a call you made without being told, and why.
Takes educated risks
Show it with a risk you weighed first, then took, and what came of it.
Champions, influences and inspires
Show it with a time you changed someone’s mind or got people behind an idea.
Commercially savvy
Diageo wants “ambitious, commercially savvy graduates”. Know how one brand reaches a bar or a shop.
From Diageo’s FAQs and how to apply page. On your CV, Diageo says “we’re looking for potential!” Societies, part-time jobs and volunteering count. For commercial detail, Diageo’s own article on its Day in Trade shows graduates who “shadow members of our commercial teams” in London pubs.
05/11Stage 1 · Apply
How to apply
Stage 1 is a short form and your CV. Diageo says: “Fill in a short form, answering some basic questions so we know you’re eligible to apply!”
1
Find your ad
On Diageo’s job board
2
Fill the form
Basic eligibility questions
3
Add your CV
No longer than two pages
4
Cover letter
Optional, “a nice addition”
Who can apply, and Diageo’s rules
- Degree. “Have obtained or be expecting to obtain an academic degree”.
- Language. Fluent English, and fluent in the language of the market you apply to.
- Right to work. You need the right to work in that market. See the visa chapter below.
- Driving licence. Needed for some roles, depending on the role.
- Footnote. “These requirements may vary depending on location or role. Please refer to the job description when applications are open.”
- One scheme. Diageo recommends “you only apply for the one graduate scheme”. After a rejection, wait 12 months before you apply again.
- Adjustments. “if you have a condition such as dyslexia, which entitles you to additional time, we’ll make reasonable adjustments”.
Your form and CV: do and don’t
Do
“Ran our society’s freshers’ fair stall and grew sign-ups from 60 to 120”
Diageo says “we’re looking for potential!” Societies, part-time jobs and volunteering all count. Give each one a result.
Don’t
“I have always been passionate about the drinks industry”
It could fit any drinks firm. Say what you did, and why this scheme.
Keep your CV to two pages, as Diageo asks. Our CV achievement examples show how to give each line a result. Getting ready to apply for jobs in the UK? Check your CV for free: see it the way a recruiter does, then fix each problem.
Save Diageo and over 2,000 other UK schemes to one free calendar. See what closes next and what you have applied to.
Track my schemes freeFree account, no card.
No Great Britain window open? Your optionsOther Diageo routesMissed it? Your options
- Set up the alert. Diageo’s free Workday job alert needs a Workday account. Then check the job board now and then.
- Internships. None in the UK on 18 October 2026. Diageo’s internships page lists Colombia, Brazil and Mexico only.
- Apprenticeships. Every Great Britain block on Diageo’s apprenticeships page read closed on 18 October 2026.
- Placements and insight events. We found none on Diageo’s pages or job board.
- Rejected? Diageo asks you to wait 12 months before you apply again.
- Results carry over. “If you apply for another role within six months and the same assessment is part of the recruitment process, you won’t need to complete it again.”
- Other employers. Keep applying while you wait. See why you might not be finding a job.
06/11Stage 2 · Video interview
The HireVue video interview
Stage 2 is a recorded HireVue video of about 30 minutes. Diageo calls it “a chance to get to know you better and learn more about your passions, interests, and purpose”.
You “record video answers to pre-set questions”, and “you’ll have time ahead of each one to prepare”. Diageo publishes no number of questions, prep time, answer time or retakes. HireVue says employers set their own: prep time from none to 5 minutes, 1 to 5 recording attempts, and answers from 30 seconds to 15 minutes. Each can also be unlimited.
Step through the HireVue
HireVue video interview: about 30 minutes
Welcome and device check
Read how many questions there are, how long it takes and the due date, then let the page check your camera and microphone. Employers set their own version, so yours may differ.
Practise first
Answer a practice question in Practice Mode, then watch it back to check you can be seen and heard before you start the real interview.
Read the question while prep time runs
Read the question while the prep timer runs down, and click Start Recording when you are ready or wait for the timer to end.
Record your answer
After a 3-second countdown your answer records while the response timer runs, and you click Done Answering to finish early.
The end
When you finish you see Interview Received, and if you were cut off you can resume from your last unanswered question.
Your moves
- Answer the practice questions first. Diageo says they “won’t be assessed”.
- Use prep time to pick one story and its result, not to write a script.
- Once you submit an answer, you cannot go back to it.
Our own simplified drawings of each screen, not screenshots. Timers on them are examples, not Diageo’s settings.
Set up: Diageo’s own advice
- Treat it like a real interview. Diageo says “treat it like a face-to-face interview” and “dress smartly”.
- Room. Find a “quiet, distraction-free environment”. Log in early and look at the camera.
- Tech. Check your Wi-Fi, charge your device and pick a quiet spot.
- Extra time. Diageo makes “reasonable adjustments”, such as for dyslexia. Ask before you start.
- No GenAI. “Do not use GenAI tools or other external assistance”.
How to answer: STAR, as Diageo asks
Diageo says to “use the STAR method to plan and structure your answer (Situation, Task, Action, Result)”.
1
Situation
Where and when
2
Task
What was yours to do
3
Action
What you did, step by step
4
Result
What changed, with a number
Be ready to talk about
Your passionsYour interestsYour purposeWhy DiageoWhy your scheme
Diageo’s video prep list also says to “build a bank of relevant examples”. See our guides on how to pass a job interview and the toughest interview questions.
Practise: questions built from Diageo’s words
Motivation questions
Our own questions, built on what Diageo says the video is for. These are not Diageo’s real questions.
Why Diageo
Why do you want to join Diageo?
What they’re testing: your “why”, which Diageo asks you to be clear on.
Show a strong answer
- One real fact from Diageo’s brands page or Annual Report.
- One moment from your own life that links to it.
- What you want to learn there, in one line.
Your scheme
Why this scheme, and not another?
What they’re testing: that you chose one scheme on purpose, as Diageo recommends.
Show a strong answer
- Name the scheme and how its rotations work.
- Give the course, job or project that led you there.
Purpose
What do you care about, and what have you done about it?
What they’re testing: your “passions, interests, and purpose”.
Show a strong answer
- One cause or interest, not a list.
- A real action you took, with a result.
Risk
Tell us about a time you took a risk.
What they’re testing: whether you “take educated risks”.
Show a strong answer
- Say how you weighed it before you acted.
- Give the result, and what you would repeat.
Who you are questions
Card 1 is Diageo’s own question, from its FAQs. The others are ours, built on the traits Diageo names.
Impact
“What are you passionate about and how have you made an impact on others?”
What they’re testing: Diageo wants “the clearest possible picture of you”.
Show a strong answer
- One passion, then one person or group it helped.
- Say what changed for them.
Team
Tell us about a time you helped a team through a problem.
What they’re testing: whether you are “team-spirited”.
Show a strong answer
- Your own part, not the whole team’s.
- How the others felt about it after.
Influence
Tell us about a time you changed someone’s mind.
What they’re testing: whether you “champion, influence and inspire”.
Show a strong answer
- What they thought first, and why.
- What you showed them, and what they did next.
Instinct
Tell us about a time you made a call with little to go on.
What they’re testing: whether you “follow their instincts”.
Show a strong answer
- The facts you had, and the gap.
- Why you chose as you did, and how it turned out.
Your story bank: a worksheet to print or copy
Two STAR stories for each trait Diageo names. Use them in the video and at the assessment centre.
| Trait | Story 1 | Story 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Authentic | ||
| Team-spirited | ||
| Follows their instincts | ||
| Takes educated risks | ||
| Champions, influences and inspires | ||
| Impact on others |
07/11Stage 3 · Online assessment
The online assessment
Stage 3 is a HireVue multiple-choice assessment of about 30 minutes. Diageo says “you may be invited” to it.
About 30 min
Diageo’s estimate
Multi-choice
How you think and approach situations
Required
To move forward, says Diageo
It is “a series of multiple-choice questions designed to help us understand how you think and approach different situations”. Diageo says “The good news is there’s no need to prepare.” Its tips: a comfortable place, stable internet, “Read each question carefully and take your time” and “Answer honestly and be yourself.” Diageo publishes no question types beyond that, and no practice version is public.
What changed
Diageo changed its tests in 2026. The Pymetrics games are gone.
Before: until at least 10 May 2026, Diageo’s how to apply page listed 12 Pymetrics games before the video.
Now: a HireVue multiple-choice assessment comes after the video. Older guides may still describe the games.
See the archived page from 10 May 2026 and Diageo’s current page.
The GenAI rules: allowed and banned
Allowed, to prepare
- Research Diageo and its brands
- Learn about a role or team
- Organise your thoughts
- Practise interview questions
Banned, during a stage
- GenAI in the video interview
- GenAI in the online assessment
- GenAI at the assessment centre
- Any other outside help
From the GenAI rules on Diageo’s how to apply page: “Do not use GenAI tools or other external assistance”.
Go further: the best outside help
Our own picks, checked on 18 Oct 2026. We are not linked to any of these sites and earn nothing from them.
From the employer
- How to apply: video and online assessmentDiageo · read stages 2 and 3 · no account neededDiageo’s own words on the 30-minute HireVue video and the 30-minute multiple-choice assessment, with its tips for each.Free
- Graduate programme FAQsDiageo · no account neededDiageo says to use the practice questions first. It also explains extra time and other adjustments.Free
From HireVue
- Practice your interview: FAQHireVue help centre · updated May 2024Three practice questions you can redo and watch back. They are never sent to Diageo.Free
- Getting started with your on-demand interviewHireVue help centre · updated Aug 2024What each screen does: the prep timer, Start Recording and Done Answering.Free
- Devices you can useHireVue help centre · updated Apr 2025Chrome is recommended. Chromebooks are not supported. Check before the day.Free
Skip paid Diageo test packs and Pymetrics game packs. Diageo dropped the games in 2026 and says the online assessment needs no preparation. No official practice version of it exists.
Next: see how other employers use reasoning and personality tests in our guide to psychometric and logic tests.
08/11Stage 4 · Final
The assessment centre and your offer
Stage 4 is an assessment centre, “virtual or in person”. Diageo says “There’ll be several exercises”.
Notice
Diageo gives “provisional dates” and “at least five working days’ notice”.
Prep sessions first
“we’ll hold preparatory sessions with the Early Careers team”.
Dress
“dress to impress by following our business casual dress code”.
Answer with STAR
Have “real-life examples ready”. Bring your own questions to ask, too.
Meet the people
You may meet senior leaders and current graduates. Diageo wants “the clearest possible picture of you”.
Result and feedback
“You’ll be told if you are successful within two weeks of the Assessment Centre.” Diageo says “all unsuccessful applicants will receive some” feedback.
From Diageo’s how to apply page and FAQs. The exercise types are not published. Diageo suggests “Mock Trials” with friends, so practise out loud and swap feedback.
On the scheme, and offer conditions
- Support. A line manager, a local buddy and a business mentor. You can ask for an international buddy.
- Rotations. HR manages them. Diageo adds “if an opportunity arises to work abroad, you’re ready”.
- Conditions. Diageo names the right to work and, for some roles, a driving licence. It publishes no other conditions.
- Start. Diageo gives no start month.
Go further: the best outside help
Our own picks, checked on 18 Oct 2026. We are not linked to any of these sites and earn nothing from them.
From the employer
- Prepare for the assessment centreDiageo · read stage 4 · no account neededDiageo’s own before-and-during list: prep sessions, business casual, STAR, questions to ask, and its GenAI rules.Free
- Advice for the final assessment dayDiageo · no account neededWhat Diageo looks for on the day, the notice it gives and when you hear back.Free
- Graduates on a Day in TradeDiageo · 16 Apr 2026Two current graduates on how Diageo works with pubs in London. Real detail for your why Diageo answer.Free
- Our brandsDiageo · no account neededDiageo asks you to know its brands. It lists “over 200 brands and sales in nearly 180 countries”.Free
From the government
- The STAR method, with examplesNational Careers Service · no account neededWorked STAR answers. Diageo asks for STAR in the video and at the assessment centre.Free
09/11
Visa sponsorship
Our reading: Diageo names no Great Britain scheme that sponsors visas. Check the ad when it opens, and ask Diageo.
Diageo’s FAQs say “sponsorship opportunities are available for certain locations and programmes. Please check the requirements of the role you’re applying to”. No Great Britain scheme page mentions visas.
The Graduate visa and right to work
- Graduate visa. It lasts “2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026” and “18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027” (GOV.UK). The schemes run two or three years.
- Right to work. Diageo asks for “the right to work in the market you’re applying to”. See how to prove your right to work.
Need sponsorship? See our guides to UK companies that sponsor visas and staying in the UK after studying. This is general information, so check GOV.UK.
10/11
Key takeaways
Before you apply
- On 18 October 2026, every Great Britain block on Diageo’s programme pages read: Applications are now closed. Diageo gives no next date.Diageo has published a Great Britain opening date. Check its programme pages.Diageo’s Great Britain ads were open when we checked on 18 October 2026. Check each ad’s close date.When we checked on 18 October 2026, this cycle’s Great Britain ads had closed.
- Last cycle’s Great Britain window was short and in the autumn, so set up the free job alert and get ready now.
- Diageo recruits on a rolling basis and recommends one scheme, so pick yours early.
- Keep your CV to two pages and give each line a result.
- Two HireVue stages follow: a video of about 30 minutes, then a multiple-choice assessment of about 30 minutes.
- Diageo changed its tests in 2026. Skip game practice and use the HireVue practice questions instead.
When a scheme gives a close date, we email you a few days before it closes. Save Diageo once and the reminder is set.
Set my reminders freeFree account, no card.
11/11
Frequently asked questions
Is the Diageo graduate programme open in Great Britain?
On 18 October 2026, every Great Britain block on Diageo’s programme pages read: Applications are now closed. Diageo gives no next date. Set up its free job alert and get ready now.Diageo has published a Great Britain opening date on its programme pages. Set up its free job alert and get ready now.Yes. Diageo’s Great Britain ads were open when we checked on 18 October 2026. Check each ad for its close date, and apply early.When we checked on 18 October 2026, this cycle’s Great Britain ads had closed. Set up Diageo’s free job alert for the next window.
When do Diageo graduate applications open?
Diageo gives no date. It says timing can vary by programme and location.Diageo has published a Great Britain opening date on its programme pages.Diageo’s Great Britain ads were open when we checked on 18 October 2026.Diageo gives no next date. It says timing can vary by programme and location. For the 2026 intake, its Great Britain ads were open by 6 October 2025. Every block read closed by 16 November 2025.
What are the stages of the Diageo application process?
An application form, a HireVue video of about 30 minutes, a HireVue multiple-choice assessment of about 30 minutes and an assessment centre. Diageo says processes may vary depending on location.
Does Diageo still use Pymetrics games?
No. Diageo changed its tests in 2026. The Pymetrics games are gone. Its how to apply page now lists a HireVue multiple-choice assessment after the video.
How much does the Diageo graduate programme pay?
Diageo publishes no salary figure. Its graduate page promises an attractive benefit and rewards package. Check the ad when it opens.
Can I apply for more than one Diageo graduate scheme?
Diageo recommends you apply for only one graduate scheme. If you are unsuccessful, it asks you to wait 12 months before you apply again.
Does Diageo sponsor visas for graduates?
Diageo says sponsorship is available for certain locations and programmes. It names no Great Britain scheme, so check the ad and ask. A Graduate visa lasts 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026, or 18 months from 1 January 2027.
