Graduating from university is exciting, but starting your career can be challenging. Many graduates struggle to find companies that offer structured entry-level programmes.
In South Africa, certain companies hire large numbers of graduates every year, offering structured training, mentorship, and clear career growth. Knowing these companies gives you an edge and helps you plan your career path wisely.
In this guide, you’ll discover:
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The top 10 South African companies hiring the most graduates in 2025.
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Details about their graduate programmes, eligibility, and benefits.
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Step-by-step tips to apply and secure your first graduate role.
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A comparison table to quickly scan top hiring companies.
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FAQs to answer all your questions about graduate recruitment.
Benefits of Applying to Companies That Hire Many Graduates
Choosing a company that invests in graduates has several advantages:
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Structured Training: Graduate programmes include mentorship, workshops, and rotational assignments.
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Career Growth: Clear pathways from entry-level to management roles.
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Networking Opportunities: Meet other young professionals and industry leaders.
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Competitive Salaries: High-paying entry-level packages and performance bonuses.
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Skill Development: Access to technical and soft skills training for long-term career success.
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Job Security: Companies with active graduate hiring often have strong retention strategies.
Who Should Apply:
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Fresh graduates looking for their first job.
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Recent graduates wanting professional development.
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Students planning to apply for graduate programmes before finishing university.
Top 10 South African Companies Hiring the Most Graduates in 2025
1. Standard Bank South Africa
Industry: Banking & Finance
Graduate Programmes: Standard Bank Graduate Programme, Analyst Programme
Number of Graduates Hired: 150+ per year
Why Apply:
Standard Bank offers structured graduate training with rotations across finance, risk, and business management. Employees receive mentorship, workshops, and exposure to real projects.
Eligibility:
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Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in finance, economics, business, or related fields.
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Strong analytical and communication skills.
Benefits:
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Competitive starting salary
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Leadership and personal development programmes
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Networking with senior professionals
2. Sasol
Industry: Energy & Chemicals
Graduate Programmes: Sasol Graduate Development Programme
Number of Graduates Hired: 100+ per year
Why Apply:
Sasol hires engineering, science, and technology graduates. Graduates work on real projects in energy, chemicals, and technology sectors.
Eligibility:
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Bachelor’s or honours degree in engineering, chemistry, or applied sciences
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Willingness to relocate to Sasol sites
Benefits:
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Structured rotations and mentorship
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Competitive stipend and travel allowances
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Career development and technical training
3. Deloitte South Africa
Industry: Professional Services / Consulting
Graduate Programmes: Deloitte Graduate Programme, Audit and Advisory
Number of Graduates Hired: 200+ per year
Why Apply:
Deloitte offers audit, consulting, tax, and advisory tracks for graduates. You gain exposure to multiple clients and industries, building a strong professional foundation.
Eligibility:
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Degree in accounting, finance, economics, IT, or related fields
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Analytical thinking and teamwork skills
Benefits:
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Mentorship from industry experts
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Competitive graduate salaries
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Professional certifications support (e.g., CA(SA))
4. PwC South Africa
Industry: Professional Services
Graduate Programmes: PwC Graduate Development Programme
Number of Graduates Hired: 180+ per year
Why Apply:
PwC’s programme offers auditing, consulting, and advisory opportunities. Graduates rotate through departments to gain comprehensive experience.
Eligibility:
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Bachelor’s degree in commerce, accounting, law, or IT
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Strong communication and problem-solving skills
Benefits:
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Structured learning and mentorship
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Exposure to multinational clients
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Pathway to professional certification
5. Unilever South Africa
Industry: FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods)
Graduate Programmes: Unilever Future Leaders Programme
Number of Graduates Hired: 100+ per year
Why Apply:
Unilever offers leadership training for business, marketing, and supply chain graduates. Graduates take on real business challenges from day one.
Eligibility:
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Degree in commerce, marketing, supply chain, or related fields
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Strong leadership potential
Benefits:
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Global exposure and career mobility
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Mentorship and coaching
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Competitive starting salary
6. MTN South Africa
Industry: Telecommunications
Graduate Programmes: MTN Graduate Programme
Number of Graduates Hired: 120+ per year
Why Apply:
MTN hires IT, engineering, and business graduates. Graduates rotate through departments including technology, business, and customer solutions.
Eligibility:
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Bachelor’s degree in IT, engineering, or business fields
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Analytical and problem-solving skills
Benefits:
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Hands-on project experience
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Networking with senior management
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Mentorship and training programmes
7. Absa Group
Industry: Banking & Financial Services
Graduate Programmes: Absa Graduate Development Programme
Number of Graduates Hired: 130+ per year
Why Apply:
Absa hires graduates in finance, risk, analytics, and digital technology. The programme offers rotations and training to accelerate career growth.
Eligibility:
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Relevant bachelor’s degree
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Strong numeracy, analytical, and interpersonal skills
Benefits:
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Structured mentorship and workshops
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Exposure to multiple departments
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Competitive graduate salary
8. Anglo American
Industry: Mining & Resources
Graduate Programmes: Anglo American Graduate Development Programme
Number of Graduates Hired: 80+ per year
Why Apply:
Anglo American hires graduates in mining, engineering, geology, and business. The programme emphasizes safety, innovation, and leadership development.
Eligibility:
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Degree in engineering, geology, or business
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Willingness to relocate
Benefits:
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Rotational projects across sites
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Leadership development programmes
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Competitive starting salary and benefits
9. Standard Chartered Bank
Industry: Banking & Financial Services
Graduate Programmes: Standard Chartered Graduate Programme
Number of Graduates Hired: 70+ per year
Why Apply:
Standard Chartered offers programmes in banking, finance, and risk management. Graduates gain exposure to global banking practices.
Eligibility:
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Degree in finance, business, or economics
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Strong analytical and communication skills
Benefits:
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Mentorship and global exposure
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Rotational assignments
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Competitive graduate salary
10. Discovery Limited
Industry: Insurance & Health
Graduate Programmes: Discovery Graduate Programme
Number of Graduates Hired: 90+ per year
Why Apply:
Discovery hires graduates in actuarial science, finance, marketing, and technology. Graduates work on real-world projects impacting business and healthcare innovation.
Eligibility:
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Relevant bachelor’s degree
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Analytical skills and innovation mindset
Benefits:
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Structured learning and mentorship
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Exposure to real business projects
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Competitive graduate salary
Comparison Table: Top Graduate Hiring Companies in South Africa
| Company | Industry | Graduate Programme Name | Number of Graduates Hired | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Bank | Banking & Finance | Standard Bank Graduate Programme | 150+ | Mentorship, rotations, leadership |
| Sasol | Energy & Chemicals | Sasol Graduate Development Programme | 100+ | Technical training, travel allowance |
| Deloitte | Professional Services | Deloitte Graduate Programme | 200+ | Client exposure, certification support |
| PwC | Professional Services | PwC Graduate Development Programme | 180+ | Rotations, mentorship, certification |
| Unilever | FMCG | Unilever Future Leaders Programme | 100+ | Leadership training, global exposure |
| MTN | Telecommunications | MTN Graduate Programme | 120+ | Project experience, mentorship |
| Absa Group | Banking & Financial | Absa Graduate Development Programme | 130+ | Rotations, workshops, mentorship |
| Anglo American | Mining & Resources | Anglo American Graduate Programme | 80+ | Leadership, rotational projects |
| Standard Chartered Bank | Banking & Financial | Standard Chartered Graduate Programme | 70+ | Global exposure, mentorship |
| Discovery Limited | Insurance & Health | Discovery Graduate Programme | 90+ | Real projects, structured learning |
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for Graduate Programmes
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Research Companies: Identify top companies hiring graduates in your field.
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Check Eligibility: Review degree requirements, academic performance, and skills needed.
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Prepare Your CV: Highlight relevant internships, projects, and achievements.
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Write a Cover Letter: Tailor it for the company and programme.
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Submit Online Application: Use company career portals or graduate recruitment platforms.
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Prepare for Interviews: Practice competency-based questions and scenarios.
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Attend Assessment Centres: Participate in case studies, group exercises, and psychometric tests if required.
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Follow Up: Send a polite follow-up email if you don’t hear back within the expected timeframe.
FAQs: South African Graduate Hiring Companies
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Which South African companies hire the most graduates?
Deloitte, Standard Bank, PwC, MTN, and Sasol are among the top graduate hiring companies. -
Do graduate programmes pay well in South Africa?
Yes, graduate programmes typically offer competitive starting salaries plus benefits such as mentorship and training. -
Are graduate programmes only for fresh graduates?
Mostly, yes. Some programmes accept recent graduates with 1–2 years of experience. -
Can international students apply to South African graduate programmes?
Some companies accept international students if they have valid work permits. -
What skills are most in demand for graduate programmes?
Analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and leadership are highly valued. -
Do graduate programmes provide mentorship?
Yes, most top programmes include mentorship, workshops, and rotational assignments. -
How competitive are these programmes?
Very competitive. Top companies receive thousands of applications per intake. -
When do graduate programmes typically start?
Most programmes open applications in the first half of the year, with intake between July and January. -
Can graduates switch departments during the programme?
Many programmes offer rotations across departments to provide broad exposure. -
Do all programmes require relocation?
Some programmes require relocation, especially for companies with multiple sites, but others are location-specific.
Conclusion: Start Your Graduate Career with the Right Company
Choosing the right company after graduation sets the foundation for your career. Companies that hire many graduates provide mentorship, structured training, and exposure to real projects, which are essential for long-term success.
Take action today: research these companies, prepare a strong CV, and apply early. Your career journey in South Africa starts with the right graduate programme.
Next Steps / Resources
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Make a list of target graduate programmes
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Prepare your CV and cover letter tailored to each company
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Attend career fairs and webinars
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Connect with current employees on LinkedIn for insights
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Practice interviews and assessment centre exercises