How to apply

The first stage

Application form

This is your first step, and it starts with a short registration section. This will make sure you’re eligible for the programme you’re applying for, and it could save you a lot of time.

On the application form you'll be able to tell us about your education and work experience. Your application answers will be considered throughout the process and will help us to gain important insight into your strengths and motivation as a candidate. Your application will be viewed throughout the process so please take time and consideration when preparing your answers to our motivation questions.

For applications to the Graduate Development Programme, you will need to select a stream of the programme to apply for. Take a look here for more guidance on your options. Please note, you will only be enrolled into one of our programmes if successful – even if you apply for a few.

Please ensure you’ve read the application criteria under Our Programmes before applying. You’ll be assessed based on your year of study and, if you join as an intern or Industrial Placement student, you might even get to convert to the Graduate Programme or further internships.

A note for international applicants: to convert your international qualifications into UCAS points for our application form, please use this online tool. When submitting your application please summarise your qualifications in the free form text box at the end of the application form.

Online tests

You will be required to  complete a Situational Judgement Test. During this test, you will be presented with various scenarios that reflect working life at the Bank of England and for each one you are asked what you would do. Through this test we are measuring how closely you are aligned to our culture and ways of behaving, and therefore how good a fit you would be for a role with us.

For a thorough guide to these tests, as well as advice, please view our guidance document.

Video interview

Next you will be asked to answer five questions using our video interview portal. We will be looking at your compatibility with our behaviours, knowledge of what we do and the climate in which we are operating, as well as your reasons for applying to our programme. In preparation think about what your key skills and strengths are, examples of when you might have demonstrated these, and how they might be relevant to the role you are applying for.

We won’t be behind the camera in real-time, so your response to each question will be recorded and reviewed by us later. After each question is asked you will have a short period of time to think about your response before the recording begins. All of the questions have a set time limit and you must try to ensure that your answer is complete before the time elapses, as the recording will end even if you have not concluded your response. Therefore, try to make your answers well-structured and succinct, as you will not be able to re-record them a second time.

The second stage

After each stage, we'll let you know the outcome of your application. This will usually be two weeks after the application deadline for the programme you applied for.

If you’re successful, you’ll move onto the second and final stage – a virtual assessment centre. We run a number of these for our different programmes.

Assessment Centres

Industrial Placements

These assessment centres run between November and December. You’ll take part in an interview with two assessors, and a group exercise. Candidates who have applied to the Economist and Data streams will also be required to complete an online Excel test.

Graduate Development Programme

The assessment centres for our graduates take place between January and February. They are skills focused, and consist of an interview and a group exercise.

Internship Programmes

The assessment centres for our Internship Programmes vary depending on your year of study – but all will take place in February. They all include an interview and group exercise, in line with graduate assessment centres. This is so that we can offer high performers the chance to convert to the Graduate Programme or further Internships.

Level 4 Apprenticeship Development Programme

The assessment centres for our Level 4 Apprenticeship Development Programme take place in February. You’ll take part in an interview with two assessors, and a group exercise.

Degree Apprenticeship Development Programme

The assessment centres for our Degree Apprenticeship Development Programme take place in February. You’ll take part in an interview with two assessors, and a group exercise.

Important - multiple applications

Unfortunately, we are not looking for more than one application per student. Our programmes are focused on students at different points in their academic life, so to that end, your first application will be accepted and any duplicates will be rejected.

If you feel you have special circumstances, or if you have any further queries regarding the application process, please contact the Bank of England Team at Penna.

Information for non-British/Irish applicants

For our graduate programme, we're able to sponsor Skilled Worker visas in specific circumstances. 

For our internship and industrial placement programmes, non-British/Irish nationals are required to be currently studying at a UK university and hold a valid Student visa or have leave to remain. 

For our PhD internship, we are able to provide sponsorship if needed under the Government Authorised Exchange (Temporary Workers) scheme.

Please note, National Security Vetting (NSV) is required for all staff joining the Bank of England, and there are the following geographical limitations on this:

• We cannot conduct NSV on any individual, be it a contractor or member of staff, if they have no UK footprint and have no intention on working from a UK jurisdiction (such as UK embassies and other UK ‘managed’ locations)
• We cannot maintain NSV clearance on any vetted individual if they travel for work to a location outside UK jurisdiction beyond an approved maximum of three months