Launch your career by applying for our graduate scheme, apprenticeship or internship programmes.
Applications for summer internship and graduate roles at the FCA are now closed. These will reopen again in Autumn 2026. Applications for our apprenticeship roles will reopen in Spring 2027.
Curious about our Early Careers programmes, the impact we make across financial markets, and life at the FCA? Sign up to our Future Ready[1] platform to explore more.
If you join us, you’ll gain valuable experience and develop expert knowledge, helping you build the career you want whilst making a real difference for consumers of financial services across the UK. Shape your future, and shape the future of financial services – join the FCA.
We will support you to grow your expertise in your chosen field, whether your interests lie in:
- data and technology
- financial regulation
- operations
- risk and compliance
- economics
Our programmes
Find out about our graduate, apprenticeship and summer internship opportunities.
As well as London, we have early careers roles in both our Leeds and Edinburgh offices.
If you become a graduate or apprentice, you'll also gain access to our fantastic range of staff benefits[3].
Before you apply
Read the below for some common questions.
How to apply
When you apply to one of our programmes, you'll go through the combination of tests and interviews below.
This process applies for all our early careers programmes: graduate, summer intern and apprenticeships.
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1
Submit application form
During this initial stage, we’ll confirm whether you meet the minimum requirements for our programme.
We’ll ask you to give details of your education and any previous work experience you may have had.
When to apply
We process and review applications as we receive them; so, we recommend you apply as soon as possible when the application window opens.
We may pause recruitment once we get a significant number of applications.
Applications open for our:
- graduate opportunities and internships in early October.
- apprenticeships in February.
For more on timings, select a programme in the dropdown above.
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2
Online tests: stage 1
If your initial application meets our requirements, we’ll ask you to complete an online strengths-based assessment.
We strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with the test format, practice and read the instructions carefully when it comes to the real thing.
Our Candidate Zone[6] has more information about the online assessment and practice questions.
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3
Online tests: job insight assessment
If successful in the first-stage test, you’ll be invited to complete an immersive online assessment, which includes video-based questions. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the FCA and its role as a regulator.
We strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with the test format, practise[9] and read the instructions carefully when it comes to the real thing.
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4
Assessment centre
This is the final stage of the process. Our assessment centres last half a day and consist of 3 exercises. You’ll take part in:
- a group exercise
- an analysis exercise
- a strengths-based interview
Assessment centres take place:
- January to March for graduates and interns
- April to May for apprentices
Tip: show our values in your examples
We look for our values in all candidates. You should bear these in mind, especially during the job insight online test and at the assessment centre.
When you're asked for examples, try to give ones which relate to you and how you demonstrate them.
Our values represent the culture we aspire to every day, guiding us, building trust and helping us achieve our objectives.
Find out more about our values and core skills (PDF)[4].
Support for disabled and neurodivergent candidates
EmployAbility Video - 2024
Successful candidates
Working hours
You will be contracted to 35 hours per week.
We currently operate a hybrid working model, working a minimum of 40% in the office each month (50% for senior leaders). This way of working applies in our Stratford, Leeds and Edinburgh offices.
From September 2026, FCA employees will be required to spend a minimum of 50% of their working time in the office. Our executive directors and directors will be expected to be in a minimum of 60% per month.
When you join, we always advise a conversation with your line manager about how you and your team best work together for you to achieve what is required of you in your role.
Read more on what it’s like to work at the FCA[2].
What the FCA does well is the balance – giving you responsibility but also supporting you.
Ellie McCormack – Supervision, Policy & Competition Graduate
