Four graduate internships are open right now at Core Group in Sandton, Gauteng. Each one runs for 12 months, and each one suits a different degree. If you completed your degree in the past three years, these Core Group graduate internships could be your first real step into the working world. Many graduates wait months for a chance like this, so read the details below and choose the role that matches your qualification.
Key facts at a glance
- Closing date: Not specified. Apply as soon as you are ready.
- Duration: 12 months.
- Location: Sandton, Gauteng. The Marketing form also mentions Cape Town, so confirm the intended placement.
- Who qualifies: A relevant degree obtained within the past three years, plus the requirements for your chosen role. Final-year eligibility needs clarification.
- Salary or stipend: Not stated.
Last updated: 28 October 2026.
Please note: Legitimate jobs, bursaries and learnerships never charge application, registration or placement fees. Use only the official application links in this article.
What is this opportunity?
Core Group is offering four separate graduate internships, all on-site at its Sandton head office. The roles are Accessories, Marketing, Sales and Executive Leadership. You apply for each one through its own official form, so decide which role fits your degree before you start.
Who can apply?
Every role needs a relevant degree completed within the past three years. The rest of the requirements differ by role. Many applicants struggle here because they send the same CV to every position. Take a few minutes to compare your qualification with each role below.
1. Accessories (iStore Head Office team)
Accepted degree routes include:
- BCom in Supply Chain, Marketing, Business Management, Retail Management or Finance
- Business Administration or Retail Business Management
- Consumer Science specialising in Retail or Fashion
- A related commerce qualification
You need good Excel skills and attention to detail. Pivot tables, lookup functions and data analysis will strengthen your application. The work covers sales and stock analysis, product and pricing information, purchase orders, supplier support and product launches. The form also asks about occasional box moving, stock sorting and stocktake, so be honest about that part.
2. Marketing
You need a BCom or equivalent qualification in Marketing Management, completed within the past three years. Core Group also looks for:
- Excellent academic results and a record of achievement
- Golden Key membership or other academic recognition
- Leadership or community involvement
- Strong written and spoken communication
- Interest in brand strategy and digital communication
The listing mentions degrees from leading South African universities such as UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UP, Rhodes and VEGA. Treat these as examples only, not a closed list of eligible institutions.
3. Executive Leadership
Accepted bachelor’s degrees include:
- BCom, BBusSci, BAdmin or BSc
- Engineering, Economics, Finance or Marketing
- Business Management or a related field
Strong academic performance, leadership experience, analytical ability, organisation and discretion all matter. Leadership can come from student organisations, sport, community work or an initiative you started yourself.
4. Sales
You need a completed bachelor’s degree in one of these fields:
- Business Management, Marketing or Commerce
- Economics or Finance
- Industrial or Electrical Engineering
- Supply Chain or Information Systems
- A related qualification
You must be willing to travel where required, and be based in Gauteng or willing to relocate there. A valid driver’s licence is an advantage, not a stated compulsory requirement.
What will you do and learn?
Marketing interns gain exposure to campaign messaging, presentations, data visualisation, and trade, digital, social-media and above-the-line marketing. Prepare one real university or extracurricular project you can explain clearly.
Executive Leadership interns support strategic projects, research and reports, prepare presentations, record meeting actions and follow up on progress. The form asks about daily attendance at the Sandton office and relocation where necessary.
Sales interns handle customer and partner relationships, sales analysis, forecasting, reporting and commercial projects. Excel confidence and presentation skills are useful. The form asks about outbound sales calls and previous sales projects or internships, so prepare specific, honest examples.
Can you apply before finishing your degree?
Be careful here. The stated requirement is a completed degree obtained within the past three years. Yet the forms offer an option for people graduating at the end of 2026. Do not treat that option as proof that an unfinished qualification is enough. Final-year eligibility needs confirmation from Core Group.
What should you check on the Marketing form?
The graduation year choices are 2026, 2023, 2022 and 2021 or earlier, with 2023 described as “last year”. There is no clear 2024 or 2025 option in that question. Never select a false graduation year just to continue.
The form also mentions Business Management alongside Marketing Management, and asks about Sandton or Cape Town attendance even though the role is listed in Sandton. If these differences affect you, confirm the degree and location fit with Core Group before you submit.
How to apply step by step
- Choose your role and open the correct official form: Accessories, Marketing, Sales or Executive Leadership. Compare your degree, completion date and practical skills with that role.
- Prepare your CV and keep your academic results, project examples and work-status information nearby.
- Fill in your personal, contact and location details, then upload your CV in the format the form accepts.
- Answer the screening questions accurately. These may cover academic awards, Excel, travel, relocation, previous employment and a one-way video interview.
- If any question has no truthful answer for you, resolve it before submitting. Read the recruitment terms and consent wording, then submit only when your application is complete.
- Keep any confirmation or reference number you receive after submission.
Tips to improve your chances
Competition for graduate internships is real, and shortlisting is strict. These steps can help you stand out for the right reasons:
- Apply for one role only — the one your degree and skills genuinely match.
- Tailor your CV to that role’s daily work.
- Get ready for screening. Checks may include criminal and credit records, identity, qualifications and references.
- The Accessories role asks for references from two previous managers or supervisors. If you have no employment history yet, clarify which alternative referees are acceptable.
- Check that every date and qualification detail on your form agrees with your records.
- No start date or salary amount is given. Confirm the intake timing, workplace and pay before you commit to any travel or relocation costs.
Your next step
You do not need perfect experience to start. You need the right qualification, honest answers and a careful application. Choose your role today, prepare your documents, and submit through the official form. One accurate application beats five rushed ones. Good luck.
About the author
Itumeleng Ndlovu is the Founder and Managing Editor of SETA Careers, an independent South African platform dedicated to publishing accurate information about learnerships, bursaries, internships and skills development programmes. She specialises in researching and verifying updates from government departments, SETAs, TVET colleges and accredited institutions so readers receive clear, reliable and up-to-date guidance. Contact: [email protected]