Top UK banking apprenticeships

A banking apprenticeship allows you to study towards a professional finance qualification while working for one of the UK's leading financial institutions

If you have a genuine interest in people and the aptitude for learning about financial services and markets, the UK's major high-street banks are always looking for apprentices to work in their operational teams.

What banking apprenticeships are available?

Most banking apprenticeships are aimed at those who've completed their A-levels, with the higher apprenticeship (Levels 4 and 5), equivalent to a foundation degree, being the most common type.

However, banking and finance degree apprenticeships (Level 6, equivalent to a Bachelors degree, and Level 7, equivalent to a Masters) are emerging in this field.

You can read more about qualification levels in our apprenticeships section.

Which companies offer apprenticeships in banking?

The banking apprenticeships offered by the main retail banks aren't just restricted to banking services, with finance apprenticeships covering a range of professions and business areas.

Here's what's available in 2025 from five leading graduate employers:

• Barclays - if you've completed your GCSEs, there are foundation apprenticeships in coding (developer), customer service, cyber and security, human resources, operations, and technology. Those with A-levels can work towards higher/degree apprenticeships in many of the same areas plus compliance, corporate banking, data analytics, finance, internal audit, risk or user experience design.
• HSBC - the bank offers four-and-a-half year banking degree apprenticeships. The programme involves several rotations across your chosen business area (wealth and personal banking or commercial banking) while studying towards a university degree.
• Lloyds Banking Group - apprenticeships are available in eight areas: audit, customer services, cyber and information communications, data, finance, HR, risk, and technology engineering. They range from intermediate (Level 2) to degree level (Level 6) and last one to three years.
• NatWest Group - broken down by business function, their apprenticeships range from Level 2 to Level 6. You can choose to work as an apprentice in either business admin and project management, customer service, data and insights, digital and technology, relationship management, or specialist business support. There's also the opportunity to apply for a 21-month Level 6 financial services degree apprenticeship.
• Santander - ranging from Level 3 to Level 6, apprenticeships are available in finance, economic crime, data science, technology engineering, fraud, and corporate and commercial banking. They take 12 months to four years to complete.

In addition to what's available from high-street banks, the UK's central bank, the Bank of England, runs an 18-month Level 4 apprenticeship development programme to become a business analyst or data analyst (managed through QA and JustIT respectively).

The bank also offers three-year degree apprenticeships in data science, digital and technology solutions, as well as the financial services professional and professional economist streams. These programmes are based in either London or Leeds.

What do banking apprenticeships involve?

While the nature of each role will vary, you'll likely join a team within one of the bank's business functions, such as:

• customer relations
• specialist product sales
• operations, risk
• digital transformation.

For instance, you could be handed your own personal or corporate banking product portfolio and be involved with delivering solutions to clients. A high degree of flexibility is expected, and you'll need to collaborate proactively with colleagues.

Through the structured training, you'll be supported as you learn and aim to complete the qualification element of the programme (typically while on study leave). As with other apprenticeships, they vary in length from 12 months to six years, depending on various factors.

For example, the 33-month Level 6 corporate banking degree apprenticeship at Santander involves rotating through its relationship management, risk, and operational teams, based across the country.

At Barclays, you'll work towards a degree (or professional qualification) for three to five years. This involves learning on the job, supported by a talent coach while getting time allocated towards studying and attending university.

The Bank of England's Level 4 apprenticeships include sponsored training to achieve one of the following:

• ACCA (FIA)
• CIMA (Cert)
• ICAEW (CFAB).

Learn more about these qualifications and the professional bodies certifying them at accounting apprenticeships.

Whatever apprenticeship you're interested in, it's important to read through the specifics to find out how the programme is delivered and what you can expect to achieve.

Where are they based?

Most finance and banking apprenticeships will be located in the centre of London, where the main offices of the UK's leading financial institutions are typically based. However, you'll still find plenty of apprenticeship opportunities available up and down the country.

This is especially true if you live near major cities such as Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester, as these finance hubs are home to many global banks and professional services firms.

For instance, those applying for Barclay's higher/degree apprenticeships can expect to work in Glasgow, Knutsford, Leeds, London, or Manchester, depending on their area of specialism.

In addition to working for major banks, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also need to take on apprentices.

Search for banking apprenticeships in your area at GOV.UK - Find an apprenticeship.

How do I become a banking apprentice?

Employers will set out their own application timeframes and procedures.

To give you an idea of what to expect, you can apply for entry to one of Barclays' programmes in February or March. The application window closes in May for a September start date. On the other hand, the NatWest Group starts accepting apprenticeship applications in spring for an October start date. HSBC's degree programme also starts in October, but you'd need to apply during October-November the year before.

Remember, though, that it's never too early to begin researching which programme might be right for you. Be sure to sign up for employer notifications so you don't miss out.

Regarding entry requirements, Barclays asks for three A-levels at BCC (or equivalent) for entry onto its higher apprenticeship in operations. Aon expects five GCSEs and 112 UCAS points from your top three A-levels (or equivalent) for its Level 4 commercial risk apprenticeship. Finally, HSBC requires five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including maths and English, plus at least 96 UCAS points, to join its banking degree apprenticeship programmes.

After you've applied online, the application process will typically involve assessment centres and interviews.

What banking careers can the apprenticeship lead to?

With a financial services apprenticeship, you could get a job as a:

• change manager
• cyber security analyst
• data analyst
• financial manager
• financial risk analyst
• operational manager
• operations analyst
• relationship manager
• project manager
• retail banker
• risk manager.

For other finance careers, see our accountancy, banking and finance job profiles.

What about apprenticeships in investment banking?

Major investment bank J.P. Morgan runs five UK apprenticeships, including a four-year Level 7 financial services professional apprenticeship programme. You'll study towards the Level 4 Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI) Investment Operations Certificate before progressing to the Level 6 Diploma in Investment Operations.

Alternatively, Morgan Stanley offers a three-year finance apprenticeship programme based in Glasgow. For this, you'll study towards the ACCA Foundation Diploma while working within the company's finance division.

The four-year investment banking degree apprenticeship programme at Deutsch Bank involves achieving the BSc Applied Finance at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and gaining professional qualifications such as those from CISI. You'll get to choose whether to work in either the corporate finance or fixed income and currencies (FIC) division.

Those on an investment banking apprenticeship can expect to work a maximum of 48 hours per week, although it will likely be more like 30, with time allocated for study, including exams.

Explore whether this field best suits your skillset and read advice on finding work in the industry at 5 tips on getting into investment banking.

Are insurance apprenticeships available?

Some of the finance apprenticeships mentioned cover opportunities to work in insurance. However, there are plenty of dedicated programmes on offer, including:

• Aon - streams include client management, commercial risk and reinsurance, and investment at Level 4. The apprenticeship is a permanent position with roles available nationwide.
• AXA - actuarial, finance, underwriting and claims are just a few of the business areas taking on apprentices, and these can lead to qualifications up to Masters level (Levels 6 and 7).
• Lloyd's of London - the 21-month insurance apprenticeship programme involves multiple rotations across the business, which could be in its innovation lab or with the market intelligence team. You'll work towards Level 4 Insurance Professional standard as you aim to complete the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) diploma. Applications open in February each year.
• Zurich - insurance apprenticeships lasting 24 to 30 months are available in claims and commercial underwriting. The application process takes place between February and April for both roles.

How much will I be paid?

All apprentices are entitled to the apprentice rate of pay or the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for their age group. The former is currently set at £6.40 per hour (from April 2024) for those aged under 19 or 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship. The NMW is £8.60 for those aged 18-20 and who've already completed the first year of their apprenticeship. If you're 21-plus, the National Living Wage (NLW) is set at £11.44.

For more information on apprenticeship pay and other conditions, see GOV.UK - Become an apprentice.

You'll find that these salaries are more of a guideline - as banking is one of the highest-paying apprenticeship sectors.

Here's what a selection of employers are offering to finance and banking apprentices in 2025:

• Bank of England - £24,400 at Level 4 and £24,250 (Leeds)/£27,000 (London) at Level 6.
• Barclays - £24,000 for its foundation and higher apprenticeships.
• Lloyds Banking Group - £22,000 or above.
• Lloyd's of London - £24,000.
• NatWest Group - £22,455 to £29,574 for its degree apprenticeships.
• Santander - £26,000 for its corporate and commercial banking programmes.

In 2025, finance apprentices will typically be paid £22,000 to £30,000 by banks and other leading financial institutions.

What is the progression after the apprenticeship?

Once you've completed your apprenticeship, you can be confident about a permanent role with the company. While this isn't guaranteed, leading names such as Barclays, Zurich and the Bank of England stipulate that you'll continue to be a team member.

In addition, Santander promises pay progression as the apprenticeship develops, while it results in a Level 6 Financial Services Professional qualification, which is a widely recognised award.

Your eligibility for promotion will be down to the individual employer. However, after completing Aon's commercial risk apprenticeship, they anticipate you'll be ready for promotion within 18 to 24 months. The insurer also expects you to continue studying for CII qualifications to attain chartered status and further progress your career.

Find out more

• Consider finance graduate schemes.
• Explore graduate finance jobs.
• Get an overview of the UK's financial sector.