UL Careers Early Careers Employer Survey 2026

Diversity and Inclusion in Graduate Recruitment

Diversity and inclusion remain a significant consideration in graduate recruitment policies, though the level of emphasis has shifted slightly over the past three years. In 2026, 71% of employers say D&I is very important within their recruitment policy, an increase from 62% in 2025, though still below the 75% reported in 2024. A further 22% consider it somewhat important, while 4% say it is not important and 3% prefer not to say. The recovery in the “very important” category this year suggests that diversity and inclusion remain firmly embedded in many organisations’ recruitment strategies after a temporary softening in 2025. The rise in “somewhat important” in 2025 may have reflected a period in which organisations were reassessing how D&I initiatives are implemented due to geopolitical conversations, particularly amid broader economic pressures, evolving regulatory expectations, and internal resource constraints.

For early career recruitment specifically, D&I often plays a strategic role in widening access to opportunities, improving organisational culture, and strengthening employer reputation among graduates who increasingly value inclusive workplaces. The consistently low proportion of employers who indicate that D&I is not important also underscores a broad consensus that inclusive recruitment practices are now a mainstream expectation rather than a niche initiative. Insight Overall, the data suggests that while approaches to D&I may be evolving, the principle itself remains well established across graduate recruitment policies, with most employers continuing to view it as an integral component of attracting and developing early career talent.

How important is diversity and inclusion to your recruitment policy? 22%29%19% 4% 6% 3% 3% 3% 3%

71%62% 75%

Very important

Somewhat important

Not Important

Rather not say

44