2026 Graduate UX Designer

2026 Graduate UX Designer

Internship 28800 - 43200 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
graphcore

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support UX design through sketches, wireframes, and usability research.
  • Company: Join Graphcore, a leader in AI innovation and technology.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, private medical insurance, and healthy snacks.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in UX design within a cutting-edge tech environment.
  • Qualifications: Studying or graduated in UX, Interaction Design, or related fields.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.

About Us

Graphcore is one of the world’s leading innovators in Artificial Intelligence compute. It is developing hardware, software and systems infrastructure that will unlock the next generation of AI breakthroughs and power the widespread adoption of AI solutions across every industry. As part of the SoftBank Group, Graphcore is a member of an elite family of companies responsible for some of the world’s most transformative technologies. Together, they share a bold vision: to enable Artificial Super Intelligence and ensure its benefits are accessible to everyone. Graphcore’s teams are drawn from diverse backgrounds and bring a broad range of skills and perspectives. A melting pot of AI research specialists, silicon designers, software engineers and systems architects, Graphcore enjoys a culture of continuous learning and constant innovation.

Job Summary

We are looking for a UX Design Graduate to join the UX team. This role is ideal for candidates who are passionate about user experience, interface design, and learning how design is applied within a technical environment. You will work closely with experienced designers and engineers, gaining hands‑on experience across the UX design lifecycle.

The Team

The UX team supports teams developing software that helps users understand, optimize, and debug workloads running on Graphcore’s hardware. Design plays a key role in making complex technical workflows intuitive and usable.

Responsibilities And Duties

  • Support the design of user interfaces through sketches, wireframes, and basic high‑fidelity design
  • Assist with usability research activities such as note‑taking, participant recruitment, and analysis
  • Help document research findings and contribute insights to the research repository
  • Contribute to Decagon, our design library, by creating or refining components under guidance
  • Collaborate with designers and engineers during sprint activities and design review
  • Learn and apply UX best practices in a real‑world product environment

Candidate Profile

Essential

  • Currently studying or graduated in a Bachelors/ Master’s degree in UX, Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Computer Science, or a related subject
  • Basic experience with design tools such as Figma or Adobe XD
  • Strong interest in UX/UI design and user‑centred design principles
  • Good communication skills and a willingness to learn
  • Portfolio featuring examples of coursework or personal projects (PDF or link)

Desirable

  • Exposure to usability testing or user research methods
  • Familiarity with Agile or team‑based project work
  • Interest in technical or developer‑focused products

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, Graphcore offers flexible working, a generous annual leave policy, private medical insurance and health cash plan, a dental plan, pension (matched up to 5%), life assurance and income protection. We have a generous parental leave policy and an employee assistance programme (which includes health, mental wellbeing, and bereavement support). We offer a range of healthy food and snacks at our central Bristol office and have our own barista bar! We welcome people of different backgrounds and experiences; we’re committed to building an inclusive work environment that makes Graphcore a great home for everyone. We offer an equal opportunity process and understand that there are visible and invisible differences in all of us. We can provide a flexible approach to interview and encourage you to chat to us if you require any reasonable adjustments.

2026 Graduate UX Designer employer: graphcore

Graphcore is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters continuous learning and innovation in the heart of Bristol. As a member of the SoftBank Group, employees benefit from a collaborative environment where diverse talents converge to shape the future of AI technology. With generous benefits including flexible working, comprehensive health plans, and a commitment to inclusivity, Graphcore provides a supportive platform for personal and professional growth, making it an ideal place for aspiring UX designers to thrive.

graphcore

Contact Details:

graphcore Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land 2026 Graduate UX Designer

Show Off Your Portfolio

As a budding UX/UI designer, your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it's packed with your best projects – even if they’re just class assignments or personal work. Create a website to showcase your designs and thought processes, and share it when you apply to internships like the one at graphcore.

Join Design Communities

Dive into UX/UI design communities on platforms like Behance or Dribbble. Being active in these spaces doesn’t just help you learn but also gets you noticed by potential employers. Attend local design meetups or online workshops to connect with professionals who might just know about internships like the one at graphcore!

Collaborate on Open Projects

Get your hands dirty with collaborative projects, even if they’re unpaid. Not only does this build your skills, but it allows you to network with other designers and possibly get some valuable referrals. Consider platforms like GitHub where designers are often collaborating on open-source design projects.

Make the Most of Your University's Career Services

Universities often have connections with companies looking for interns. Chat with your career services team about companies like graphcore that might be hiring for internships. They can guide you to job boards and on-campus events where you can meet potential employers face-to-face.

We think you need these skills to ace 2026 Graduate UX Designer

User Experience (UX) Design
Interface Design
Usability Research
Sketching
Wireframing
High-Fidelity Design
Design Tools (Figma, Adobe XD)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Design Journey:As a UX/UI design intern, make sure your portfolio reflects your design journey, including any projects you've worked on, even if they’re just class assignments or personal projects. We want to see your thought process, how you approach problem-solving, and the evolution of your design ideas. Be bold and include case studies!

Tailor Your CV to the Role:When crafting your CV for graphcore, focus on highlighting relevant skills that are crucial in UX/UI design like user research, prototyping, and visual design. Mention any tools you’re proficient in, like Figma or Sketch, and include links to your online portfolio. This way, we can connect your experiences to the exciting work we do here.

Craft a Passionate Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for UX/UI design and your eagerness to learn. Share why you're excited about the opportunity at graphcore and how you hope to develop your skills further during this internship. A touch of enthusiasm goes a long way in showing it's not just about the work, but about what you can contribute and grow in the process!

Research and Reference:Before you apply, take some time to research graphcore and incorporate what you learn into your application. Reference any specific projects or values that resonate with you in your cover letter. This shows us that you’re genuinely interested and have a good understanding of what we do in the UX/UI space!

How to prepare for a job interview at graphcore

Show Off Your Portfolio

As a UX/UI design intern, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure you have a well-structured portfolio that showcases your design process, not just the final products. Be ready to discuss specific projects—what challenges you faced, how you solved them, and the outcomes of your designs.

Understanding User-Centric Design

Prepare to dive deep into concepts of user experience and usability. Expect questions that assess your understanding of user research, wireframing, and prototyping tools. Reflect on how you have applied user feedback in past projects and be ready to back up your design decisions with solid reasoning.

Be Ready for Collaborative Discussions

UX/UI design is highly collaborative, so during the interview, expect scenarios or hypothetical projects aimed at understanding how you function in a team. Practice discussing your past teamwork experiences and be prepared to talk about how you handle feedback and iterate on designs.

Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn

As an intern, they will value your eagerness to grow. Share your story about why UX/UI design excites you and what design skills you're eager to develop. Be honest about your current skill level, but emphasise your motivation and willingness to embrace new challenges.