Finance Graduate Scheme 2023

Emerging technologies, new competitors and customers' changing expectations are just a few of the things that are shaping our industry. In Finance, our role goes beyond accounting. We are experts in a variety of fields, from strategy to Treasury – uncovering patterns others haven’t yet seen, assessing the financial impact and helping to shape new strategies.

Our work has a visible impact on the Group and, as a UK financial services leader, allows us to take a transformational role in Helping Britain Prosper, shaping finance as a force for good.

Is our Finance graduate scheme for you?

Are you resourceful and passionate about solving problems? If you are, you should think about joining us in Finance.

We are trusted advisors to the business. We come from diverse backgrounds but we are all analytically minded, pragmatic and resilient. We try to see things in a different light; taking large amounts of complex information and uncovering the stories we tell. And, once we understand how a business works, we build great relationships and can develop strategies that help transform it.

Whatever your degree, if you love finding solutions and are excited to learn from colleagues across all levels of our business, we’ll help you to grow as the first stage of becoming a Finance specialist and a future leader of the Group.

Along the way, we’ll support your studies towards a leading, industry-recognised professional accounting qualification. You’ll have a community of current graduates as well as an experienced cohort lead to help you overcome any challenges. And, given that Finance interacts with all our business areas, you’ll have every opportunity to develop a diverse network of colleagues and contacts across the Group.

What you'll learn on the Finance graduate scheme

This three-year scheme consists of four placements, where you’ll discover what it means to be a key partner in decision-making. Your placements will be in:

Core Finance (Bristol)

• You'll build a strong understanding of the core purpose of a Finance function by getting involved in areas such as monthly reporting and budgeting.

Customer (London, non-Finance placement)

• You'll interact with the Group’s customers and learn about the products and services we provide by working in a team outside of Finance to broaden your knowledge.

Insight & Analysis (London)

• You'll develop your ability to provide fresh perspectives on a topic, working independently and presenting information to stakeholders. This could include meeting the Group’s largest institutional shareholders or helping to form our latest strategy.

Business Partnering (London)

• You'll become a Finance Specialist and lead relationships with both the business and Finance community, using bespoke analysis to inform and influence business decisions. Your specific role could include managing the Group’s funding and liquidity requirements within the Group Corporate Treasury function or helping to inform pricing decisions for the Group’s products.

The skills you’ll develop across these placements will provide the foundation for a successful career as a future leader within the Group. By the end of the scheme, you’ll have greater awareness of your abilities and interests, and a genuine understanding of how your work makes an impact. You’ll have the opportunity to apply for a permanent role within Finance or other areas of the organisation.

Is this for you?

Closing date

Our graduate schemes may close early if we receive a high number of applications, so it’s best to apply as soon as you can.

The application process

Our application process is designed to give all candidates the opportunity to excel. You’ll find everything you need to know, including stages of the process and tips to help you succeed, on our how to apply page.

Actuarial Graduate Scheme

We also offer an Actuarial scheme within our Insurance Finance team, under our insurance brand, Scottish Widows.

This rotational programme gives you the chance to train as an actuary, working to deliver fair outcomes for customers, while ensuring the company remains in strong financial health.

For more details on this scheme, including the specific criteria and the application process, visit our careers site and search for actuarial roles.

Locations

You first placement will be in Bristol, one of our major Finance hubs, where you’ll have the chance to spend time with some of your fellow graduates, who you’ll move through the programme with over the next three years. This will be followed by three placements in London.

What you need to apply

A 2:2 degree or above in any discipline from any university.