Overview

Join to apply for the 2026 Graduate Programme - Planning Consultancy & Infrastructure Planning role at WSP in the UK & Ireland.

We’re seeking graduates who are eager to learn, flexible, and ready to make a difference. You’ll thrive in our collaborative, supportive environment, where your creativity and passion for the built environment can flourish. Whether your interest is in working with communities, driving sustainable development, or supporting innovative infrastructure, your talents will find a home with us. Imagine being at the heart of projects that shape how we live, move, work and play. Join our 2026 Graduate Programme in Planning Consultancy & Infrastructure Planning and launch your career with one of the UK’s leading professional advisory consultancies.

We are recruiting for Graduates in the following services & locations: Planning Consultancy (Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, London, Leeds) and Infrastructure Planning (Nationwide including Exeter).

What you will do

Graduates in Planning Consultancy work on large transformational projects across the UK, collaborating with communities to deliver sustainable development. You’ll guide clients through the planning process, from initial site appraisals to securing consents and supporting construction. Our work spans sectors including residential, education, healthcare, logistics, industrial, retail and defence, with some projects outside the UK.

Graduates in Infrastructure Planning help deliver sustainable, resilient infrastructure by combining research, policy insight, and stakeholder collaboration. You’ll contribute to planning applications, site appraisals, and community engagement, guiding the development of transport schemes, utility upgrades, and energy proposals that balance technical feasibility with environmental and social value.

Projects (examples)

• Great British Energy: supporting early-stage consents and consultation strategies for next-generation nuclear power.
• Tees Valley Active Travel Scheme: delivering £150 million of new and upgraded active travel routes.
• Yorkshire Water: contributing to strategic water resource schemes from planning applications to defining new water-reuse corridors.

Day-to-day activities

• Varied workload across multiple sectors
• Undertaking planning appraisals and drafting planning documents
• Project managing and leading smaller projects
• Working in teams as part of larger projects
• Managing environmental teams
• Submitting and managing planning applications and appeals
• Managing project budgets

Infrastructure Planning

In this team you’ll gain exposure to multi-disciplinary groups (ecologists, engineers, heritage specialists, hydrologists) while building core skills in GIS mapping, regulatory analysis and project coordination. The position offers a clear learning path, regular feedback, and opportunities to see your work influence real-world developments.

Day-to-day activities

• Supporting preparation, submission and management of planning applications, appeals and enquiries for infrastructure projects
• Conducting site appraisals and feasibility studies
• Drafting planning statements and supporting documents
• Researching local and national policy and preparing concise briefs
• Coordinating stakeholder and community engagement
• Liaising with consultants to integrate inputs into planning deliverables
• Maintaining project trackers, deadlines, and risk/resource management
• Using GIS mapping and data visualisations to support recommendations
• Assisting in discharging planning conditions during delivery

Graduate Development Programme

Our two-year programme is designed to support personal and professional development through blended learning, core business and professional skills training, career development workshops, mentoring for professional registration, and on-the-job experience. You’ll be encouraged to pursue chartered status with professional bodies like RTPI.

What we will be looking for

You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master’s degree (RTPI accredited) in a relevant subject. You’ll be starting work in September 2026 and have a passion for Planning and consulting, a drive for the built environment, and an enthusiasm for creativity and problem solving. You’ll enjoy working with internal and external stakeholders in dynamic project environments.

• Complete the application form in full and answer all specific questions
• Online skill enabler assessment may be required
• Start date: September 2026
• Reason for applying: planning & consulting
• Interest in built environment, infrastructure, places and economy
• Ability to share new ideas and work with stakeholders

“If you don’t meet every criterion, apply anyway—the right qualifications for our roles may vary and we may have other opportunities within the Graduate programme.”

Application & Selection

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. To ensure full consideration, submit early.

What’s in it for you

Work-life balance with hybrid working (two days from home), flexible office options, and a range of benefits. We are committed to inclusivity and belonging, health and wellbeing through Thrive, and a range of flexible benefits including gym membership support and menopause care. We offer flexible hours, part-time options, and development opportunities including mentoring and chartership.

#WeAreWSP. We welcome applicants from varied backgrounds and will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria and request workplace adjustments where needed.

Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees making a positive impact in communities near and far.

About us

WSP is a leading engineering and professional services firm with a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. We are dedicated to local communities across the UK and Ireland and supported by international expertise.

Note

All content above is for refinement purposes and retains the core job information. Any extraneous boilerplate or platform-specific notices have been removed to focus on responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations.