Legal Graduate Review
at BAE Systems
Graduate Scheme
Legal/Law
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: November 2025
Overall Rating
4.8 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of the Role
4.6/5
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Experience & Company Culture
5/5
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Recommendations & Advice
Overview of the Role
Overall, how would you describe your experience at BAE Systems?
I am still fairly new to the company but so far my experience has been great. I have a great line manager and team and my time is slowly getting more busy as time goes on but you have time to settle and integrate yourself in the business before you start really getting into the role.
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
The main elements of my role are to deal with contracts and export control. What I enjoy the most is drafting contractual terms and dealing with complex legal problems.
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
5/5
I have just started but it is clear to see that I will be providing meaningful value to my team, I have already been asked to do a few tasks that positively contribute to my team and the workload of the team.
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
5/5
The benefits and perks are pretty good, probably one of the best overall packages for a graduate scheme. Graduates get a signing on bonus, as well as the chance to drawn down a percentage of their pay immediately to help with costs. You also get relocation packages, etc.
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
5/5
I think the experience I am gaining will be invaluable to me as I build my career to where I want to be.
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
5/5
I am developing new and enhancing existing skills a lot in my day to day role, I have to develop understanding of other jurisdictions legal systems, the industries legal regulations, and other legal skills. I also develop my communication and team working skills.
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
5/5
The support is all around, my line manager is always there to contact if I need them. You start the role with a 2 week immersion course where early careers advisors run workshops and provide their details and support.
How is your work-life balance?
5/5
It is fairly flexible, different roles have different hybrid capacities. I work 2 days in the office and 3 days home working. You have flexi time in a sense, but not traditional flexi, they have what they call core hours which you need to be working but have a set 12/13 hour period each day where you can tailor your working hours that are outside of core hours.
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
5/5
I think it is probably one of the best organisational cultures I have experienced, I was a mature student at university, so I did have a short career before this role and I have never experienced a better working culture than at BAE. The atmosphere is good and the opportunities are great.
How would you rate BAE Systems initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
4/5
Given the nature of the business, this is something the business has to work around a little differently but I think they do a great job at ensuring that DEI is visible and that the company has a diverse workforce. I am a part of the LGBTQ+ community and I feel valued and included in the business like any other member of staff.
How would you rate BAE Systems CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
4/5
BAE are running an initiative to be carbon neutral by 2030, they are big on environmental initiatives, making sure they do all they can to keep their carbon foot print down. Volunteering is high on their agenda as well as community programmes and investing in communities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a global company with opportunities beyond the imagination. The benefit package is brilliant, and the culture is welcoming. It could be a career for life and they treat their graduates very well, they have a graduate social team that arrange events and days out so if you have relocated you do not feel so alone in a new place, it feels like a big uni campus at times which makes the transition a lot easier for most graduates.
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
5/5
The role has surpassed my expectations, I am dealing with legal documents, contracts, liaising with other countries, etc. I have been given tasks with a lot of responsibility in my short time here so I can imagine it is only going to get more interesting as time goes on.
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Put your all into the recruitment process, it is competitive but it is a great place to start your career. The recruitment process is remote I think for most roles.
