Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)

If you are a motivated and ambitious individual who would like to manage your own challenging project while earning a competitive graduate salary, consider joining the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme

What are Knowledge Transfer Partnerships?

The KTP scheme is one of the UK's largest graduate employment programmes. It helps UK-based organisations to innovate and grow through a three-way partnership with universities and graduates.

Businesses link up with an academic or research institution, referred to as the 'knowledge base', to develop a KTP that will deliver a strategically important and challenging project. The partnership then recruits a suitably qualified graduate or postgraduate, known as a KTP associate.

Employed by the university, the associate works predominantly at the company and, supported by a nominated industrial and academic supervisory team, works in an area that can improve business performance and increase productivity.

With over 300 job opportunities available every year, the KTP scheme can take from 12 months to three years to complete. Upon completion, many employers offer associates a full-time job.

The programme is overseen by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and delivered in partnership with the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN). For more information, please see the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships website.

What work could I do as a KTP associate?

This will depend on your qualifications and the requirements of the project, but examples of possible KTP projects include:

optimising production facilities
embedding new technologies or capabilities within an organisation
designing innovative products, processes or services
developing new business strategies, increasing productivity and breaking into new markets - particularly when participating in Management KTP (MKTP) projects.

What sectors can I work in?

KTPs are primarily aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) but companies of all sizes - including not-for-profit organisations such as charities and social enterprises - in a variety of industries can take part in the programme.

You can look for KTP jobs in the following industries:

What are the benefits of a KTP?

'No other graduate programme delivers such a well-rounded, challenging, yet supported kick-start or re-invigoration of a graduate's career,' says Richard Lamb, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships manager at Innovate UK.

Designed to be mutually beneficial to all involved, KTPs provide associates with:

experience of managing a challenging, real-life project of vital importance to a business/organisation
opportunities to gain professional qualifications
a competitive graduate salary, typically between £30,000 and £40,000
access to top class training and development opportunities
the possibility of full-time employment at the end of the project
a chance to network and forge industry contacts
a platform to launch or advance their career.

On top of these benefits, all associates are given management skills training and also have access to £2,000 per year for specific training relevant to their individual project and personal development goals.

In addition, all associates are supported by nominated academic experts, host company personnel, the regional Knowledge Transfer Advisor (KTA) and usually a university KTP office.

'Associates are very visible within their host organisation and they effectively become the manager of a strategically important project for the company,' says Dave Marshall, innovation funding manager for KTPs at the University of Plymouth. 'There are also opportunities to register for a higher degree, undertake professional training and development and to progress towards chartered status with relevant professional bodies.'

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for the KTP scheme, graduates typically require a 2:1 degree in a relevant subject, and in some cases a postgraduate degree such as Masters or PhD.

When applying, be sure to demonstrate and evidence the skills and experience required for the job, as specified in the advert and job description.

Dave adds, 'The majority of an associate's time is spent working at company premises, so being a good team worker is imperative. As the associate drives the KTP project forward, confidence, self-motivation, leadership and excellent communication skills are also very important.'

Read more about the essential skills that employers want.

How do I apply for a KTP?

You can search for current KTP jobs at Knowledge Transfer Partnerships - Find a job.

KTP vacancies are also listed in local newspapers, through university departments, and at your local or university careers office.

Academic institutions participating in the scheme usually have a dedicated KTP office and they'll be able to help you find suitable vacancies and provide guidance on making an application.

You apply for KTP roles in the same way you would a regular graduate job, by submitting a CV or completing an online application form. If successful, you'll then be invited to an interview, which is typically conducted at the company premises by the supporting supervisory team.

'Interview processes vary between universities, employers and the requirements of the post,' says Dave. 'However, at the University of Plymouth we invite candidates for an informal tour of the host company/organisation's premises, followed by a panel interview lasting approximately one hour. This begins with introductions, followed by a ten-minute presentation with five minutes for questions and then a set of standard questions asked of each candidate. Finally, the applicant has the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.'

Find out more

Read about KTPs at Innovate UK - KTP guidance.
Explore graduate employers.
Discover how to choose a career.