Graduate programmes

Opportunities for people who have recently completed a degree course to build a career at the Bank

Graduate Development Programme

This is designed for recent graduates who are looking to start their career at the heart of the UK's economy.

  • applications are now open and will close by midday on Monday 16 February 
  • length of contract: 24-month programme, leading to a permanent position
  • start date: early September 2026
  • location: we will only be opening applications for Leeds based graduate roles for the 2026 recruitment round 
  • salary: £33,525 per annum, as well as our comprehensive benefits package

This could be right for you if you are:

  • keen to learn about what we do and gain practical experience
  • eager to gain a unique insight into the workings of the UK's central bank
  • looking to build your network and pursue a career at the Bank of England

We are committed to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds.

To apply, you must have:
  • achieved, or be predicted to achieve, a 2.1 degree classification
  • achieved 120 UCAS points from three A levels (or equivalent)

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  • What to expect

    We start by giving you an introduction to the many areas of work around the Bank. You will get an idea of the range of specialist roles across the organisation. You will also receive training sessions, which focus on crucial skills to develop as a central banker. We hire graduates who are driven and intent on learning while building their career with us.

    In your first 12 months, you will take part in a foundation year covering the Bank's breadth of work. In your second year, you will have the opportunity to study for a masters in Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation with Warwick Business School. 

    How you could develop

    If you are interested in the Bank’s Graduate Development Programme, the next step is to choose between the following streams:

    Data

    If you’re interested in producing and analysing key economic and financial statistics that are published by the Bank, then this stream might be ideal for you. By joining this stream, you’ll play a role in ensuring that insights from data analysis are able to directly inform strategic business decisions. You could be involved in developing impactful visualisations and dashboards to communicate trends, supporting robust data management practices, and overseeing the integration of data from multiple sources—all contributing to meaningful, data-driven decision-making.

    The skills you could develop include:

    • Data analysis and visualisation (e.g. Python, R, Excel)
    • Economic and financial research
    • Drafting briefing materials and internal notes
    • Supporting project delivery and stakeholder engagement
    • Data management practices

    If you are successful, we will allocate you a role in our Authorisations, Regulatory Technology and International Supervision Directorate.

    Risk

    If you’re curious about financial markets and interested in developing technical expertise in areas such as stress-testing or wider market risks, then this might be the stream for you. 

    The skills you could develop include:

    • Understanding and applying real-world financial instruments and valuation techniques
    • Opportunities to innovate and automate processes through coding in R and Python
    • Communication and drafting skills for diverse audiences
    • Application of strong analytical and numerical skills to problem solving with financial data
    • Working collaboratively towards continuous improvement and professional development

    If you are successful, you could be allocated to one of the following areas: 

    • Strategic Change and Operations
    • Payments Directorate
    • Prudential Policy

Trainee Solicitor Development Programme

This is designed for students looking to gain on-the-job experience at the heart of the UK's central bank, while working toward qualifying through a graduate solicitor apprenticeship.

This could be right for you if you are:

  • keen to launch your legal career
  • eager to qualify as a solicitor at the UK's central bank
  • looking to build your network and be considered for future roles at the Bank of England

We are committed to nurturing a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds.

To apply, you must:

  • be predicted to or have achieved one of the following no more than three years before the programme start date: a 2.1 UK law degree; or a 2.1 non-law degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL); or a law degree from a non-UK jurisdiction and a PGDL from a university in the UK
  • have not already completed a Legal Practice Course or Solicitor Qualifying Examinations 1 or 2
  • comply with any Solicitors Regulation Authority character and suitability requirements

  • What to expect

    You will receive a bespoke induction and training programme for the Bank's trainee solicitors, as well as access to a wide range of training opportunities within the Legal Directorate. You will regularly receive training from experts from across the Bank, as well as external speakers from the Government, other regulators (such as the Financial Conduct Authority), overseas authorities and the private sector.

    We will introduce you to a unique combination of public and private law issues. We work on legal matters related to:

    • financial services regulation 
    • banking and payments
    • insolvency and restructuring
    • litigation
    • the UK's central bank

    How you could develop

    On the programme you will:

    • enrol on a paid-for course at the University of Law (ULaw) to prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE1 and SQE2)
    • spend 20% of your working week studying with ULaw and 80% of your week working in Legal
    • have the opportunity to qualify as a solicitor at the UK’s central bank and you can earn as you learn
    • receive study leave around exam periods
    • complete a mix of six and twelve-month rotations across three or more divisions of the directorate – giving you experience in central banking, financial stability, enforcement and litigation and insurance and deposit takers
    • have access to a wide range of induction and training opportunities, and support from a highly experienced legal team

    After passing your SQE and completing work experience, you will be eligible to become a solicitor registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (subject to meeting relevant character and suitability requirements). At this point, we would welcome you to apply for jobs in the Bank as a newly qualified lawyer. 

Actuarial Development Programme

This programme is not open for applications during the 2025/26 recruitment round. You can find out more about our other graduate opportunities on this page, or visit our careers page for other vacancies.

This is designed for students who have recently completed a numerical degree and are looking to start their career as an actuary at the heart of the UK's economy.

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This page was last updated 26 January 2026