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Rail

The sector is moving toward greater integration, digitalization and environmental sustainability. Electrification, digital signalling and the adoption of hydrogen or battery-powered trains are central to future plans. Rail is also positioned as a key player in the UK’s strategy to decarbonize transport by 2050. There continues to be significant infrastructure investment with projects like HS2 (London to West Midlands) and Northen Powerhouse Rail which aim to increase capacity and speed.   

There are currently 23 franchised Train Operating Companies (TOCs) and approximately 100,000 people employed in the rail sector (60,000 across TOCs and 40,000 in Network Rail). Under plans in the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024, rail services began transferring to public ownership with South Western Railway Services in May 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Publicly owned operators are managed by the Department for Transport Operator Ltd (DFTO) which is now responsible for over 25% of the network and it is the government’s vision that DFTO will manage all train companies as they move into public ownership ahead of the creation of Great British Railways (GBR).    

Freight Services provided by the rail sector play a significant role in reducing road congestion and carbon emissions. Two of the largest rail freight operators in the UK include DB Cargo and Freightliner Group  providing heavy freight and bulk transport throughout the UK  

Some other key players in the rail sector are Alstom (leading supplier of trains and train services), Arup (recruits 400 graduates in the UK annually in vacancies across Climate & Sustainability, Energy, Water, Advisory, Building Services, Structural and Civil Engineering, Transport and Ground Engineering, Planning & Digital Services and  Siemens (focus on automation and digitalisation), Smart Infrastructure (connecting energy systems, buildings and industries) and Mobility (intelligent infrastructure and passenger experience enhancement). 

Roles of interest include: 

Structural Engineer, Energy Engineer, Logistics & Supply Chain Manager,  Project Manager, Procurement Manager, Civil Engineer, Freight Forwarder, Passenger Transport Manager, Transport Planner, Logistics & Distribution Manager.

Further Reading 

If you are interested in this area of work, these sectors might also be of interest to you: 

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here. These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in person specifications, job descriptions and advert for each role you consider. 

  • Ability to work in a high-pressure environment – many roles in the rail industry will involve working to strict deadlines and ensuring projects are completed on time and to budget
  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Curious Mindset & Initiative – an ability to innovate to drive change and to quickly upskill
  • Excellent Oral & Written Communication Skills and ability to convey complex information clearly
  • Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing priorities
  • IT and Data Analysis Skills – including intermediate/advanced Excel and programming for some supply chain/logistics roles
  • Leadership Ability especially in Project management roles
  • Negotiation and Influencing Skills – especially in procurement and contract negotiation roles
  • Organisation, Planning & Time Management Skills – ability to prioritise and manage time effectively
  • Problem Solving Skills – an ability to find creative solutions, make decisions and think laterally
  • Teamwork – good interpersonal skills, an ability to collaborate well with others and build strong business relationships
  • Technical Skills in relevant disciplines e.g. Engineering, Design or Software Skills etc. 

To develop these skills, the Career Zone also offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.  

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to build relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in:  

Volunteering 

Voluntary work experience which will give you administrative and/or management experience can enhance your skills and increase your chances of success.   

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

  • Career Zone Internship schemes are a great way to gain work experience and evidence many of the skills required to work in project management, engineering, transport management etc.
  • Green Consultants is an award-winning programme in 3 stages with an online learning about sustainability consulting, a live group project and finally an opportunity to apply for a paid internship.
  • Student Campus Partner (SCP) and Student Business Partner (SBP) internships at Exeter are designed to fit in alongside your studies and help enrich your experience.
  • Grand Challenges is a project week in June each year in which you work in interdisciplinary groups with other like-minded students to design innovative solutions to real world challenges. 

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page.  

Finding Part-time Work  

Many students work part-time during their studies.  Part-time jobs are often in the hospitality or retail sectors and frequently have administrative or managerial tasks associated with the individual roles.  Search for part-time work here: 

  • Handshake
  • General job sites such as Find a Job or Indeed (filter on “part-time” and “Exeter”).
  • Identify and call into local businesses with your CV to ask about part-time jobs.
  • Attend the part-time / casual jobs fair, held twice yearly on Streatham Campus.
  • Penryn Campus Careers Fairs.

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions.  Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.  

Graduate Schemes  

As the rail sector is an area of growth and investment, there many graduate schemes which recruit annually.  Graduate schemes last typically between 1 and 3 years, provide on the job training, supported by professionals experienced in the area as well as more formal learning. Sometimes this will include industry qualifications specific to the role e.g.  Prince 2 Project Management qualifications.  You may also have a variety of projects in other parts of the business during rotations which will give you a broader understanding of the whole organisation. 

Graduate Jobs are usually normal permanent positions which are recruited for throughout the year as and when a specific need is identified by an employer. 

Internships 

Internships are usually short-term paid experiences, typically for 3–4 months and advertised for undergraduate students during the summer period.  Other ‘off-cycle’ internships may take place at any time during the year, have wider eligibility criteria and extend to up to 6-months in duration.  

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international student webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.   

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector. 

Professional Bodies:  

 Advice 

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.