UCAS
Senior Drupal Developer

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UCAS is at the heart of connecting people to higher education and supporting our customers on their journey.
UCAS is the world’s leading shared admissions service for higher education. We provide application services for UK universities and colleges as well as delivering a wide range of research, consultancy and advisory services to schools, colleges, careers services, professional bodies and employers.
We’re a successful and fast-growing organisation, which helps hundreds of thousands of people every year. We're committed to delivering a first-class service to all of our customers, they're at the heart of everything we do.
Business Unit Description
The Digital Services business unit is at the heart of UCAS’ technical innovation, data and infrastructure. It focuses on leveraging data science, technology, and enterprise architecture to enhance UCAS' digital products and services. The unit is dedicated to developing and improving customer-centric digital solutions, ensuring seamless and secure online experiences for all users. By providing insightful data and analysis, often made available to anyone with free-to-use intuitive dashboard, Digital Services empowers the Higher Education sector and those interested in the sector with valuable information to make informed decisions. By working in collaborative, expert led, multi-disciplinary teams, Digital Services drives UCAS’ mission to connect students with their next opportunities through advanced technological solutions.
About The Role
Contractual Hours
35.00
About The Role
We're on the look-out for a Senior Drupal Developer to join our self-managing, agile team within the Product Engineering unit where you’ll drive developments which enhance the user experience for over one million students looking to go into further and higher education every year. You’ll take a proactive approach in development of services for our customers, as well as identifying and resolving issues, and working closely with all stakeholders to help define requirements, and to provide technical input. You will be passionate about the production of high quality, reusable, and extensible code, and will champion this amongst the team, encouraging high development standards and practices. The role would be expected to take an active interest in all technologies used at UCAS, how they can be used to improve customer experience, and the effectiveness of the team.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Core requirements:
- Experience developing and maintaining websites using PHP and Drupal
- Ability to gather, challenge and document requirements with stakeholders
- Strong knowledge of web development standards, HTML5, JavaScript and accessibility
- Experience testing, deploying and supporting web applications and infrastructure
- Understanding of web servers, databases, caching solutions and application management
- Ability to produce technical documentation and collaborate across technical and non-technical teams
- Committed to quality assurance, continuous improvement and adopting new technologies.
Skills, Qualifications, And Experience
Skills, qualifications, and experience:
- Substantial experience of working in a development environment
- Experience of working with - Object-oriented MVC development patterns / JavaScript / HTML 5/ Drupal 10+/ Drush/ Twig / Composer package management/ git, git flow, git merge, git subtree/ AMP stack/ Apache configuration and administration / PhpUnit, Behat, linux, WSL, Playwright PHP CodeSniffer, ESLint, stylelint / Jetbrains PhpStorm / xdebug
- Ability to extract and translate user/stakeholder requirements into suitable documentation and to communicate with colleagues clearly and without unnecessary jargon
- Excellent understanding of functional requirements frameworks and concepts with good analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience of delivering within an agile environment
- Comfortable working in a dynamic, large-scale, agile change initiative with multiple technologies
- An interest and a willingness to learn and develop skills in new technology outside of their direct role.


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Package
Fixed Term Contract - 18 months / Salary £55,000 + below benefits and a fantastic work environment
- Purpose-driven work in a charity-led organisation connecting people to education and opportunity
- Internal training, mentoring, and access to industry-recognised certifications through our development academies
- Hybrid working model built on trust and flexibility, with a 35-hour week and flexible contracts
- 30 days annual leave, 3 concessionary days over Christmas, bank holidays, and the option to purchase additional leave
- Everyday wellbeing support through Perkbox, offering discounts and wellness tools
- Onsite facilities including a subsidised gym, café, and free parking at our Cheltenham office
- Inclusive culture supported by employee networks, wellbeing champions, and Mental Health First Aiders
- Recognition and reward through our quarterly employee scheme and an ex-gratia bonus for going above and beyond
Working Arrangements
Is fully remote working an option?
Yes
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