Take a first step into finance.
Technology and the methods people use to bank are rapidly changing.
From rooms full of people balancing paper-based manual ledgers, to today’s complex digital network charting billions of daily transactions.
Banking apprenticeships can cover anything from working with customers as an in-branch advisor, to working behind the scenes on the forefront of cyber security or fraud prevention.
The recent rise of digital banks, such as Starling or Monzo, have changed the way many of us bank and are pushing the ‘traditional’ banks to adapt and change their relationships with their customers. In the current digital age, it is an exciting time to get involved as an apprentice.
If this isn’t appealing enough, banking apprenticeships often pay lucrative salaries, making them some of the highest paying in the UK. With a range of available professional qualifications and transferable skills, a banking apprenticeship could set you up very nicely for a career.
We’ve compiled the most up-to-date information about all of the best banking apprenticeship programmes in the UK today.
So without further ado, let’s cheque them out. (sorry.)
Already know what you’re looking for? use the quick links below to jump the queue:
LLoyds Banking Group
Santander
Barclays
Metro
RBS/Natwest
HSBC
Nationwide
Starling
Monzo & Revolut
Lloyds Banking Group.
Lloyds is one of the UK’s ‘big four’ banks.
They offer apprenticeships from level 2 (intermediate) to level 6 (degree) promoting a diverse range of candidates from all backgrounds… They even have a current apprentice who is 61 years old!
Jobs within financial services, digital & technology, and professional services are available, with a wide range of roles to choose from.
Even better, they will pay you the full job salary, rather than an apprentice pay rate.
They recruit year round and employ over 1,000 apprentices every year!
Find out more from LLoyds here.
Breakdown
Apprenticeships: Yes
Recruitment Window: Year-round
Requirements: Level 2/3 – Proficiency in English and Maths | Level 4+ – A-level standard and/or have successfully completed a Level 3 apprenticeship
Santander.
Not simply a bank, Santander is one of the world’s leading financial services groups with over 140 million customers.
Santander offers apprenticeships from school leavers with GCSEs all the way up to degree level. A typical apprenticeship programme with Santander can range from 12 months to 4 years, depending on the role.
Once again, these aren’t your standard apprentice salaries. It’s a proper job on a proper salary, with many other benefits attached.
Recent schemes have included financial crime, corporate & commercial banking, and Audit consultants. The current round of applications has just ended, so keep an eye out for their next batch of schemes.
Find out more about Santander Apprenticeships…
Breakdown
Apprenticeships: Yes
Recruitment Window: Year-round
Requirements: Maths & English Grade 4 and above
Barclays.
Another of the UK’s ‘Big Four’ banks and official bank of the Premier League (if you’re into football).
Barclays boast they can kick-start your career with their two apprenticeship schemes, one at foundation (level 2-3), and one at higher (level 4-7).
With 120 thousand employees and 326 years of tradition, Barclays has a lot of interesting opportunities.
Case in point, they currently have an IT Foundation Programme Scheme based in Prague currently accepting applications… Anyone fancy a change of scenery?
Find out more about Barclays Apprenticeships here
Breakdown
Apprenticeships: Yes
Recruitment Window: Year Round
Requirements: None Specified
Metro Bank.
The first high street bank to open in 100 years. Metro bank recently came 2nd in the official banking service league table, earning praise for their digital service and for the work they do in the community.
They offer apprenticeships in a variety of roles and are looking for people with the M factor.
Metro offers flexible shifts and a starting wage of £18,000. Not bad.
Click here for more on Metro Bank Apprenticeships
Breakdown
Apprenticeships: Yes
Recruitment Window: Year-round
Requirements: None specified
RBS/Natwest.
Once the biggest bank in the world, RBS/Natwest are still a banking giant. Another of the UK ‘big four’, RBS/NatWest wants you to earn as you learn and have a wide range of programmes for all levels.
Roles in technology, business administration, customer service and relations management can be obtained straight from school.
Breakdown
Apprenticeships: Yes
Recruitment Window: September
Requirements: None specified
HSBC.
Our final ‘big four’ UK bank, HSBC allows you to combine work and study from foundation to degree level. You will be offered a competitive salary and will be given support to progress your career with HSBC.
Time to complete the programmes vary. Foundation apprenticeships are 18 months long and a degree apprenticeship will take you at least 48 months (but you’ll earn a university degree by the end of it).
Breakdown
Apprenticeships: Yes
Recruitment Window: Currently suspended due to Covid19
Requirements: Foundation – 5 GCSEs or equivalent, including Maths and English at grade 4 | Degree – 112 UCAS points across 3 A-levels plus 5 GCSEs including English and Maths
Nationwide.
The largest building society in the world with over 15 million members and the result of over 100 mergers!
They offer three levels of apprenticeship which take between 1-5 years. These range from Advanced (Level 3), Higher (Level 4 & 5), and Degree (Level 6 & 7).
They have recruited over 200 apprentices over the last few years, in business areas including Retail, HR, Contact Centres, IT, Risk, Finance and Procurement.
Find out more about Nationwide Apprenticeships here
Breakdown
Apprenticeships: Yes
Recruitment Window: February for a September start
Requirements: Position dependent
Starling.
Starling is one of the new digital-only challenger banks founded in 2014.
Launching its apprenticeship scene in October 2019, Starling aims to increase diversity in technology and finance.
The current programme, a Foundation Degree (Level 4), takes 18 months to complete.
Breakdown
Apprenticeships: Yes
Recruitment Window: Not currently recruiting
Requirements: None specified
Monzo & Revolut.
Monzo & Revolut make up the trifecta of digital-only challenger banks that you’ve (maybe, probably) heard of. While they don’t currently have dedicated apprenticeship programmes, both are growing fast and may soon decide to follow Starling into the world of banking apprenticeships.
Definitely worth keeping an eye on.
The final payout.
As you can see, the apprenticeship landscape for this industry is diverse. Almost all of the top banks we analysed have a fully fledged Apprenticeship route into their business.
While this is fantastic for budding apprenticeships, it is important to note that all of these roles will be highly competitive and sought after, so you’ll have to bring your A-game if you’re serious about landing a spot.
With an eclectic range of roles and experiences on offer, you really can bank on these schemes being an excellent way into a very exciting industry.
