How to apply for our Future Talent programmes

Overview

The application process consists of a form and three assessment stages. Successful candidates must complete a situational judgement test, video interview and virtual assessment centre before we can offer them a place on a programme.

We do not accept more than one application per candidate. Each programme is tailored to students at different points in their academic career. Please apply for the one most relevant to you. We will only accept your first application.

The Bank of England is a member of the Government's Disability Confident scheme (DCS). We are committed to creating an equitable interview process and will fast-track those who apply through DCS and meet the minimum requirements of the job description to the video interview. We will not consider your score as part of your application.

The term 'disability' covers but is not limited to visual, hearing, mobility and speech impairments, autism, ADHD, diabetes, epilepsy, dyslexia, dyspraxia, mental health conditions and major illnesses (eg cancer and MS).

Applying through DCS does not flag the need for adjustments or additional support. If you would like to discuss this, please contact BOEadditionalsupport@penna.com as you move through each stage.

We fully respect that not all applicants with a disability may want to apply through this scheme. We will still support you with any adjustments you need.

Find out more about the application form and assessment stages below.

Application form

First, register your details so that we can make sure you are eligible to apply for your chosen programme.

If you are, this is where we would like to find out about your background, education and work experience. You will also need to upload your CV.

We will consider your answers throughout the process and they will give us insight into your strengths. You can use the free text questions to tell us about you and your motivations. These sections are an important for us, so please take your time and make sure you are happy with your responses.

You can find out more about our application criteria on the individual programme pages before registering.

If you are applying from outside the UK, you can use this online tool to convert your international qualifications into UCAS points.

Online test

We will ask you to complete a 'situational judgement test'. We will give you scenarios that reflect working life at the Bank of England and use this to gauge what you think you would do in certain situations. It helps us understand how closely you align with our values.

If you pass the online test, you will move on to the next assessed stage.

Video interview

Next, you will have to answer a series of questions using our video interview portal. We won't be behind the camera in real time, so each response will be recorded and reviewed later.

After each question, you will have a short period to think about your response before the recording starts.

All questions have a set time limit and you must make sure your answer is complete within this time frame as the recording will stop.

Please make sure your answers are well structured and succinct. You will not be able to re-record.

We will notify successful applicants two weeks after the application deadline and they will move on to the final stage – a virtual assessment centre.

Assessment centre

Our assessment centres consist of one group exercise and one interview. The interviewers will ask motivation, behaviour-based and analytical/technical questions.

If you are applying to the Economist or Data streams of our Industrial Placement Programme, we will ask you to complete an online Excel test.

Pre-employment checks

If we offer you a job, it will depend on: 

• references 
• security clearance 
• identity checks 
• criminal record checks 
• credit checks 
• proof of qualifications 
• immigration clearance (where relevant) 

You will also need to complete a medical questionnaire.

Please note, we require National Security Vetting (NSV) for all staff joining the Bank. This usually takes about three to four weeks after we offer a position but can take much longer. During this time, you should not hand in your notice to your employer. If security clearance is not granted, we will have to retract our offer.

There are the following geographical limitations to this:

1. We cannot conduct NSV on anyone, be they be a contractor or member of staff, if they have no UK footprint and have no intention of working from a UK jurisdiction (such as UK embassies and other 'UK-managed' locations). 
2. NSV is required for all roles at the Bank. There are occasions when the Bank must complete overseas checks to obtain assurances for security clearance (when someone has lived outside the UK within the last five years). There are certain countries where it is not possible for the Bank to complete the necessary checks. In these situations, the Bank will be unable to employ you. It is important that applicants provide details of any residence outside the UK within the last five years. The list of countries where we are unable to obtain sufficient assurance changes from time to time, so please check with your Bank contact if you are invited to interview.

Right to work in the UK

For our graduate programmes, the Bank may be able to offer visa sponsorship in specific circumstances. We will assess eligibility on a case-by-case basis, taking individual circumstances into consideration. All applicants must comply with Home Office regulations.

For our internship and industrial placement programmes, applicants who do not have the right to work in the UK must be studying at a British university and hold a valid student route visa or have other leave to remain with appropriate working rights.

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

Using artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence is here to stay and is quickly becoming part of our everyday lives. We appreciate the efficiency gained from using AI tools to enhance your application or prepare for your interview. But we expect you to use them responsibly. Here is our guidance for using AI during the application process:

1. You can use an AI assistant to do extensive research on the Bank before you apply.

2. You can use it to proofread your CV or application form for grammar and spelling errors.

3. You can use it to refine your answers in your application form, suggesting improvements to the structure and word choice. Your skillset will shine through when your response is clear and easy to follow.

4. AI is your best friend when dealing with writer's block. But make sure, when it comes to relaying your experiences, that you are using your own words. 

5. Avoid copying and pasting an AI-generated response; it is inauthentic, hinders the integrity of your application and could raise copyright issues as the technology matures. 

6. By over-relying on AI assistants, you could get to the interview stage and realise you do not understand the concepts that you have mentioned in previous stages. Make sure you completely understand any AI-suggested terminology.

7. Focus on real-life experiences. Your interview and application should capture your own personal and academic journey.

8. Perfectly scripted and impersonal video interviews will not get you as far as genuine examples of your thought processes. There will be a human assessor on the other side who will connect with that more. 

9. At the Bank, we use the STARR (situation, task, action, result, reflection) interview method. You can practise mock interviews using the AI tool of your choice, prompting it to ask you common questions and give you advice on how to approach them better. 

10. We want you to be as present as possible. So, do not use any AI tools, assistants or platforms during your video interview, live interview or group exercise. It can distract and detract from showing us who you are. 

11. Tell us about any adjustments you need. AI-based tools can be useful for additional support so please let us know in advance for us to support you the best we can by contacting us at bankofengland@penna.com.