The Novo Nordisk Graduate Programme is a 2-year, global career
journey with a minimum of three rotations including at least one
international rotation. The Graduate Programme is Novo Nordisk’s
flagship ‘Talent Programme’. Many top leaders started their journey in
Novo Nordisk as part of the Graduate Programme, including our CEO Lars
Fruergaard Jørgensen.
During the programme, you will gain a deep understanding of our company, our business, and our company values. You will drive and collaborate on global and national projects, as well as build a strong international network of professional and dedicated colleagues.
After successfully completing the programme, you will have the
necessary professional and personal skills to embark on your global
career with a position at Novo Nordisk.
Scroll down
to read more about our 14 different tracks, register your interest already now - and
apply here from November 2023 for around 70 graduate careers
starting 1 September 2024!
Register your interest in our Global Talent Hub and sign up for our Job Agent to stay up to date about available internships and other relevant vacancies.
We will be hiring new graduates starting September 2024 within a
variety of fields such as Global Business, Global Finance, Global
Procurement, Regulatory, Medical & Safety and many more.
Graduate positions will be posted around November 2023.
Applicants must have a recent and relevant Master’s degree* and international experience; for example, from studying a full semester abroad, working or volunteering for a minimum of 4-6 months.
We imagine that you have no more than 1 year of relevant work experience after graduation, above average academic achievements, and the ability to relocate internationally. In addition, Novo Nordisk’s corporate language is English, so you will be fluent in written and spoken English.
*If you are applying for one of our graduate positions in Latin America (Brazil and Mexico) the Master’s degree criteria is waived. Instead, you have a Bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years of relevant full-time work experience at the time of application. If you have a Master’s degree, then you should have a maximum of 1 year work experience.
Apply November-December 2023.
January
2024: First interviews take place
Early February 2024: Graduate Recruitment Centre (attendance on
one day only)
February-March 2024: Second
interviews take place and offers extended
Please
note that the US Marketing and US Finance tracks are managed through
the Novo Nordisk US Headquarters office in Plainsboro, NJ, USA.
Recruitment for these positions begins in October with final
candidate selections made in November. Hired candidates will begin
the programme in June.
November 2024: We open for
application for graduate positions starting in September 2025.
Until then show your interest by signing up for our Global Talent Hub.
Step 1:
Find out which track(s) is/are relevant for you! If you’re in doubt, please check the Graduate Programme Brochure and explore the best fit based on your educational background and interests. You can also learn more about the different graduate programme tracks and meet us at our different career events around the world!
Step 2:
When you have found the best fit for your profile and career aspirations, please go ahead, and apply by following the application process.
After filling in details about you and your educational background, you will be asked to upload your CV, latest transcript, and a motivational letter. The motivational letter is your chance to show us why you are a great fit for the Novo Nordisk Graduate Programme!
In the motivational letter please share with us
- Your motivation – why do you want to join the pharmaceutical industry, Novo Nordisk, and the Graduate Programme
- Your expectations – what are your expectations of the graduate programme and how will the programme support your career aspirations
- Your fit – which personal and professional competences makes you a great fit for the programme
When applying please make sure you have your CV and a transcript of your latest grades ready.
Step 3:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an initial online or phone interview with the programme manager or a local HR representative. The candidates who are not invited for an interview will be notified by e-mail.
Step 4:
The successful candidates will be invited to the virtual Graduate Recruitment Centre, where they will take part in team and individual exercises. Feedback will be provided to the candidates who attended the Graduate Recruitment Centre.
Step 5:
This is the final step in the recruitment process. After the Graduate Recruitment Centre, the final pool of candidates will be invited for a second interview. Personality and aptitude assessments will form part of these interviews and the graduate programme positions will subsequently be offered to the selected candidates. Feedback will be provided to the candidates who attend final interview stage.
"While starting my first job in a new country seemed frightening at first, I never felt alone as a graduate. Through the onboarding days, I quickly got to know the other graduates who were all feeling exactly the same as me, a little anxious but mostly very excited and curious. So very fast we all become one big family and are now exploring life at Novo Nordisk and in Copenhagen together! Ranging from after work drinks, to board game nights to brunches and sightseeing, we make sure that life beyond work exists and that we make the most of our time together here.”
The Graduate Programme is a 2-year, global career journey with a minimum of three rotations including at least one rotation outside your home country. The destination depends on the specific graduate programme track but it could for instance be in the Novo Nordisk Headquarters office in Copenhagen, Denmark, our International Operations (IO) Strategic Head Office in Zurich, an IO Regional Office or one of our many affiliates.
The graduate programme is Novo Nordisk’s flagship ‘Talent programme’. Many top leaders started their journey in Novo Nordisk as part of the graduate programme, including our CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen.
The objective of having a Graduate Programme is to strengthen the pipeline of potential future leaders and specialists within Novo Nordisk, and to attract, recruit and retain young talents who will grow into key positions in the future.
This is done by selecting skilled and highly motivated graduates from global universities and advancing them through a demanding 2-year programme; providing them with increasingly challenging tasks and a chance to develop a strong professional network.
During the recruitment period we usually have a live chat where you can get in touch with some of our current graduates. We also host a series of webinars providing key insights into our life-changing Graduate Programme.
You also have other opportunities to meet us. Join us online or in person at our upcoming events to hear more about life at Novo Nordisk and what it’s like to be a graduate. Find the Event calendar here.
Check out our Graduate Programme Brochure on our website and find out which programme track best fits your study background and interests. Please note that you can apply for more than one programme track.
You are welcome to apply for more than one track. However, we recommend you to carefully consider which tracks you will apply to and your motivation for doing so. You will have to make an individual application for each programme track and we encourage you to only apply for the tracks that you would be truly excited to join.
If Covid-19 restrictions have prevented you from obtaining (additional) international experience, e.g. studying or completing an internship abroad, you are welcome to apply and explain in your motivational letter what your plans were, how they changed and what relevant experience you have gained instead.
No, our corporate language is English, so speaking Danish is definitely not a requirement.
Be yourself and share why Novo Nordisk is the company you want to work for. What motivates you and why do you think being a graduate could be amazing. We would like to know who YOU are.
Yes, as long as you plan to graduate within the same year that you are starting in a graduate position. It is also okay if you have not received your official graduate diploma before starting in the Graduate Programme, as long as you have finished your studies and are just waiting for the official papers.
This is an entry level position and often our graduates join the programme immediately after completing their master’s degree, but candidates with 1-2 years of experience after graduation are also more than welcome to apply.
Previous pharmaceutical work experience is not a requirement to apply for the programme. What is ‘relevant’ work or internship experience depends on which track it is you choose to apply for.
Yes, the Graduate Programme is a full-time position, and we offer a competitive entry level salary. The compensation and benefits package includes components such as pension and health insurance, based on local terms and applicable to the country you are hired in.
Yes, all nationalities can apply to the programme. If selected, Novo Nordisk helps you secure your work visa.
While the Global tracks are anchored in our Global headquarters located in Copenhagen, Denmark, the International Operations tracks are anchored in affiliates or regional offices around the world.
International Operations (IO) is the largest operational unit in Novo Nordisk and covers more than 190 countries. IO is split into seven regions, spread across every continent of the globe with a head office (IO Strategic Operations) based in Zurich, Switzerland.
If you need to relocate to Denmark to join the Graduate Programme, we can support you in finding a place to live. It will be in central Copenhagen with easy access to public transport and close to, or living with, other graduates. This is a great way of starting to build a network when living in a new country.
If you start in the International Operations Business programme track you will need to be a resident in the country you start your graduate journey in. Accommodation in the first rotation will be your full responsibility.
For all programme tracks you will receive full support when going on your international rotation(s), so you won’t have to worry about the practicalities around the relocation process.
The number and length of the rotations vary according to the track you are in. In most tracks you will have three rotations of 8 months and in others you will have 4 rotations of 6 months. At least one rotation will be international, meaning outside of the country you start your graduate journey in. Please refer to the respective job ad for each track for further details.
You will join a host department as an equal member of the team. You will typically rotate in areas of the business where the graduate programme is well known and respected, where you are empowered by managers who trust you with key responsibilities and exciting tasks; expecting you to deliver high quality, whilst continuously keeping your development in focus.
There is no fixed plan for your international rotation(s) when you join the graduate programme. Depending on factors such as business needs, available projects, and especially your professional and personal development, the programme managers will make sure to find a rotation for you that allows you to learn, develop and contribute in one of our 80 offices worldwide.
There are plenty of people in the organisation who are ready to help and guide you during the Graduate Programme. As a graduate you will have a Programme Manager who will guide and mentor you during the full 2 years of the programme. In each rotation you will also have a host manager who will support you in your daily work and throughout the 6-8 months in their department. In addition, we also have a strong graduate network in Novo Nordisk, consisting of both current and former graduates who are always ready to offer advice.
The programme is designed to prepare you for a career in Novo Nordisk, hence the programme management will support you in finding a position in the company. In the IO Business programme track you are expected to take up a position in your home country or region after the programme.
Meet us
Meet us
Interested candidates will have the opportunity to speak with Novo Nordisk representatives to discuss career aspirations, gain insight into the organization and ask questions. Come find us at one of the many events we attend throughout the year!
