By Andre Atallah, CEO of EP Advisory
Graduate programmes · UK and Jersey · Start September 2027
Open when checked on 15 October 2026 · no closing dateThe open programmes have closedClosing date set · see your adProgramme closed? Your options
Short answer: Apply now. On 15 October 2026, four of NatWest’s ten graduate programmes had live ads: Engineering, Finance, RBS International and Risk. No closing date is published. Each closes once NatWest has enough applications.The NatWest programmes that were open have closed. On 15 October 2026, four of its ten graduate programmes had live ads: Engineering, Finance, RBS International and Risk.NatWest has set a closing date, so check your ad. On 15 October 2026, four of its ten graduate programmes had live ads: Engineering, Finance, RBS International and Risk. You can apply for one programme in one city. Then come online assessments within 10 days, a recorded video and a full-day Virtual Assessment Centre. Pay starts at £37,500.
Applying now?
Pick one programme and one city. NatWest processes applications in the order it receives them. How to apply
Programme closed?
Six programmes reopen in autumn 2027, NatWest says.Six programmes reopen in autumn 2027, NatWest says.NatWest has reopened its other programmes. Penultimate-year students can try a 2028 internship.The 2028 internships have closed too.Penultimate-year students can try a 2028 internship before its closing date. Your options
Where are you now?
Independent guide. EP Advisory is not affiliated with NatWest Group.
NatWest Group runs ten graduate programmes for a September 2027 start, and all share one application journey. Your main decision is which one to pick. NatWest says “you can only apply for one programme in one location”, and it will “only accept your first application”.
This playbook covers each stage, from choosing a programme to the offer, in NatWest’s own words. For nearly 10 years, we’ve helped more than 5,000 professionals get hired. Want to know if your CV will pass screening in the UK? Check your CV for free: a score in 30 seconds, then a fix for each problem.
01/10
Your route to an offer
Pick your stage and tick each step when done. The steps come from NatWest’s application process page and its graduate ads.
1. Apply
Apply now. Each ad stays open until NatWest has enough applications.The open programmes have closed. Use these steps to prepare for the next intake.Apply before the closing date on your ad. Each ad stays open until NatWest has enough applications.
2. Online assessments
You have 10 days from submitting to finish them all. NatWest sends a reminder on day 7.
3. Video recording
Six recorded questions, with no one on the other side of the camera. You get a practice question first.
4. Virtual Assessment Centre and offer
A full day online, with breaks. Expect a group discussion, a role play and an interview.
Your ticks save on this device.
02/10
The programmes at a glance
Ten programmes, one journey. Every programme asks for a 2:1.
4 of 10
Had live ads on 15 Oct 2026
None
Closing date published
Closed
The four that were open
Set
Closing date, see your ad
£37,500
Finance, RBS International, Risk
£52,000
Engineering in London
2:1
Minimum degree class
1
Programme, in one city
| Programme | Status on 15 Oct 2026 | City in the ad | Length | Pay as published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | Open | London | 12 months | £52,000 |
| Engineering | Open | Edinburgh, Bristol | 12 months | £42,000 |
| Finance | Open | Edinburgh | 3 years | £37,500 |
| RBS International | Open | St Helier, Jersey | 2 years | £37,500 |
| Risk Modelling Specialist | Open | Belfast | 2 years | £37,500 |
| Commercial Banking | Closed until autumn 2027 | No live ad | 2 years | £37,500 |
| Corporate and Institutional Banking | Closed until autumn 2027 | No live ad | 2 years | £60,000 |
| Data Science | Closed until autumn 2027 | No live ad | 1 year | £42,000 National, £52,000 London |
| Economic Crime | Closed until autumn 2027 | No live ad | 2 years | £37,500 |
| NatWest Markets | Closed until autumn 2027 | No live ad | Permanent | UK Front Office £60,000, UK Quantitative Analyst £70,000 |
| Private Banking and Wealth Management | Closed until autumn 2027 | No live ad | 2 years | £37,500 |
From NatWest’s graduate programmes page, its ten programme pages and the six ads live at 05:45 BST on 15 October 2026. On that day, each ad said “Job Posting Closing Date is not yet published”. By then, NatWest had taken down the ads for the closed programmes. It had also taken down the Engineering ad in Manchester, a Risk ad in Edinburgh and a second Finance ad.
What each programme involves
- Engineering. A “three month immersive bootcamp”, then “nine months working on live projects”. After that, you are “supported into a permanent Engineering role”.
- Finance. “4 x 9 month placements, three of which will be in Edinburgh with one being in Manchester”. You study for an accountancy qualification with ICAS.
- RBS International. “three distinct rotations” in Jersey. Its programme page says candidates not already in Jersey “will be required to relocate”.
- Risk. You “Design, build, and validate risk models”. “At the end of two years, your programme will end, and we’ll support you to apply for your next job.”
- All programmes. Every programme page says “Starts September 2027“. The ads list 35 hours a week, hybrid. NatWest says: “We’ll map you into placements based on your development needs”.
03/10
What NatWest looks for
NatWest names three behaviours. It asks video candidates to link their examples to them.
We start with customers
Show it by: a time you found out what someone needed, then helped them move forward.
We raise the bar
Show it by: a time you questioned how things were done and improved them.
We own our impact
Show it by: a time you took responsibility, including when something went wrong.
Knowledge and passion
Show it by: one clear reason for your programme, tied to what it does.
What each ad asks for, in its own words
- Finance. Graduates who are “curious, motivated and eager to learn”, with “Attention to detail”. The ad also asks you “To demonstrate an interest in understanding how businesses make decisions”.
- Engineering. “a passion for solving problems and exploring new technologies, including AI”, and “Confidence working with data, statistics, and experimentation”.
- RBS International. “A customer-first approach”, “A growth mindset and passion for learning” and “To be a keen problem solver”.
- Risk. “An interest and experience in using programming languages” and “An understanding of statistical techniques”.
- Experience. NatWest’s FAQ says you do not need any. “We’re looking for your knowledge about us and your passion for the programme.”
04/10Stage 1 · Apply
How to apply
Apply now. No closing date is published. Each ad says: “The application window for this programme will be open until we receive enough applications to fill our cohort.”The open programmes have closed. Their ads said: “The application window for this programme will be open until we receive enough applications to fill our cohort.”Apply before the closing date on your ad. Each ad says: “The application window for this programme will be open until we receive enough applications to fill our cohort.”
NatWest says: “We only have limited places available and we process the applications in the order we receive them.”
So apply as soon as your CV is ready. The ads add: “When that happens, we’ll close the programme to new applications.”So next time, apply as soon as your CV is ready. The ads said: “When that happens, we’ll close the programme to new applications.”
1
Pick one programme
And one city
2
Open that ad
Each city has its own
3
Answer and upload
Eligibility questions and your CV
4
Start the assessments
10 days to finish
You can save the form and “come back to it later”. Once you submit, you have 10 days to complete your assessments in full, with a reminder on day 7.
Degree, graduation year and adjustments
- Your degree. NatWest’s FAQ says you cannot join “unless you graduate with a minimum of a 2:1 classification”. Engineering and Risk ask for a STEM subject.
- Any year. “Our Graduate programmes are open to all regardless of graduation year.”
- Adjustments. NatWest says “there’ll be opportunities to let us know throughout your application journey”.
- One try. “Make sure you choose the programme that is right for you, as unfortunately we can only accept your first application.”
Your CV: do and don’t
Do
“Built a Python model of society ticket sales. It forecast within 5% of the final total.”
The Engineering and Risk ads ask for data and programming. Give each role a result you can show.
Don’t
“Applied to Finance first, then Engineering a week later”
NatWest only accepts your first application. The second one does not count.
Your CV is the only document NatWest asks for, and your video stories start with what you have done. Our CV achievement examples help you find a result for each role. Our guide to writing a strong CV helps you pick your best examples. Getting ready to apply for jobs in the UK? Check your CV for free: see it the way a recruiter does, then fix each problem.
Save NatWest Group and over 2,000 other UK schemes to one free calendar. See what closes next and what you have applied to.
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Programme closed? Your options
- Another open programme. Engineering, Finance, RBS International and Risk had live ads on 15 October 2026. This works only if you have not applied yet, since NatWest accepts your first application only.
- A 2028 internship. NatWest says “Our Internship positions are open to anyone planning to graduate in 2028”. They last 8 weeks. On 15 October 2026, NatWest had live ads for Finance in Edinburgh, RBS International in Jersey and Engineering in London, Edinburgh, Bristol and Manchester. The FAQ says they are “only open to penultimate year students”.
- Internships. NatWest’s 2028 internship ads have closed. Its FAQ says internships are “only open to penultimate year students”.
- Wait for autumn 2027. Each closed programme page says: “Sorry, our programmes are currently closed but will reopen for applicants in autumn 2027.”
- Wait for autumn 2027. Each closed programme page says: “Sorry, our programmes are currently closed but will reopen for applicants in autumn 2027.”
- The other six programmes. NatWest has reopened them. Check its graduate programmes page.
- Watch for a short reopening. NatWest’s FAQ says: “Very occasionally we may open a role for a short time to new applications if things change.”
- Meet NatWest. Its early talent events page lists its fairs and online sessions.
- Other banks. See our guide to the JP Morgan analyst application.
05/10Stage 2 · Online assessments
NatWest’s online assessments
Most programmes take two online assessments. Engineering swaps the first one for two technical tests.
Work Scenarios, not for Engineering. NatWest says “Our assessment partner, SHL, has provided some example questions”. You see “14 work-related scenarios based within NatWest Group”, each with statements. For each statement, you decide “whether it’s more effective or less effective in that scenario”. There is no time limit, but it “usually takes about 20-25 minutes”.
Online Skills, for every programme. You will be “choosing statements that describe you best, rating your preferences, analysing information and solving problems”. It takes “around 30-35 minutes in total, and most sections are untimed”. Example questions come before it starts. NatWest names no provider for this stage.
Engineering technical tests. First, a “multiple-choice” SQL test, timed at 15 minutes. Then a 60-minute coding test “In a coding simulation environment”. Your code should be “functionally correct, generates expected outputs, is efficient, and follows coding best practices”.
NatWest’s practice and feedback, stage by stage
- Work Scenarios practice. NatWest says to visit the SHL Practice site and choose Situational Judgment Test. You need to set up log-in details. The practice is not scored. NatWest also says: “Familiarise yourself with our values”.
- Online Skills. “Make sure you have a pen, paper and calculator ready.” NatWest is “unable to provide personalised feedback” on this stage.
- SQL. “Unfortunately there are no practice tests for SQL.”
- Coding. NatWest’s process page links a practice coding run. “You’ll only be able to complete this once”, so save it until you feel ready.
Set up for the assessments
NatWest recommends
- A pen, paper and calculator for Online Skills
- A phone, tablet or laptop with a microphone and camera
- Finishing within 10 days of applying
- Reading its values before Work Scenarios
Our tips: avoid
- Waiting for the day-7 reminder
- Using your one coding practice run too early
- Paying for packs that claim to be NatWest’s tests
Go further: the best outside help
Our own picks, checked on 15 October 2026. We are not linked to any of these sites and earn nothing from them.
From NatWest
- How each NatWest assessment worksNatWest Group careers · 2027 intake · no account neededNatWest’s own guide to every stage, with timings and the practice it recommends.Free
- 9 top tips for applying to NatWestNatWest Group careers · about 3 years old · no account neededA NatWest recruiter’s tips for graduate applications. It is older, so check it against the process page.Free
Practise
- The practice site NatWest points to for Work ScenariosSHL, NatWest’s assessment partner · free account neededNatWest says choose Situational Judgment Test. The practice is not scored.Free
Skip paid packs that claim to be NatWest’s tests. NatWest’s own page points you to free practice.
Next: if online tests make you nervous, our guide to psychometric and logic tests explains the common types.
06/10Stage 3 · Video
The video recording
Six recorded questions, about 20 minutes, with no one watching live. NatWest says “there won’t be anyone on the other side of the camera”.
1
Watch the question
A colleague asks, on screen
2
Prepare
A set time to think
3
Record
A set time to answer
4
Repeat
Six questions in all
NatWest says “we’ve carefully chosen six questions”. You get “the chance to do a practise question” first. Some questions ask for a past example: “choose a specific example with lots of detail about what you did”. Others ask what you would do, and “You don’t need to know about any of our processes or procedures”.
NatWest is “unable to provide personalised feedback on your video assessment”.
How to answer
Past examples
NatWest suggests STAR. Its sample question is “Tell me about a time you worked in a team with others”. Use examples “ideally from the past 18 months”.
Situation
Set the scene in one or two lines.
Task
Say what you had to achieve.
Action
Spend most of your time here, on what you did.
Result
Say what changed, with a number if you can.
NatWest’s tip is to avoid talking about “we”, “us” and “the team”. It also suggests you record yourself and watch it back.
What would you do?
These questions test your judgement, not your knowledge of NatWest’s rules.
Your moves
- Say what you would find out first.
- Put the customer’s needs at the centre.
- Give one clear action and say why.
- Say how you would check it worked.
The moves are ours, built on NatWest’s three behaviours.
See our guides on how to pass a job interview and the toughest interview questions.
Practise: video questions
The first question is NatWest’s own sample. The other three are ours, built on its behaviours. They are not NatWest’s questions.
Teamwork
“Tell me about a time you worked in a team with others.”
What they’re testing: your own part in a team’s result.
Show a strong answer
- Pick one team task from the past 18 months. Spend most of your time on your own actions. End with the result and what you learned.
Customers
“Tell me about a time you helped someone get what they really needed.”
What they’re testing: We start with customers.
Show a strong answer
- Show how you found out the real need, not just the first request. Say what you did about it and how they progressed.
Raise the bar
“Tell me about a time you improved how something was done.”
What they’re testing: We raise the bar.
Show a strong answer
- Name the old way and why it fell short. Say what you changed, the risk you weighed and the result.
Own it
“You spot a mistake you made in work a customer has already received. What would you do?”
What they’re testing: We own our impact.
Show a strong answer
- Tell your manager straight away. Fix it for the customer first, then explain. Say how you would stop it happening again.
Your story bank: a worksheet to print or copy
Two stories for each prompt, from the past 18 months. Learn them well enough to tell without notes.
| Prompt | Story 1 | Story 2 |
|---|---|---|
| We start with customers | ||
| We raise the bar | ||
| We own our impact | ||
| Working in a team with others | ||
| Why this programme |
Go further: the best outside help
Our own picks, checked on 15 October 2026. We are not linked to any of these sites and earn nothing from them.
From NatWest
- What happens in the video and the assessment centreNatWest Group careers · 2027 intake · no account neededNatWest’s own lines on the six video questions, STAR and the full-day centre.Free
- NatWest’s purpose and three behavioursNatWest Group careers · no account neededLink each video example to one of these, as NatWest asks.Free
Read
- The STAR method, step by stepNational Careers Service · general guide, not NatWest-specificNatWest asks for STAR answers. This guide walks through each step.Free
- How assessment centres workProspects (Jisc) · June 2025 · general guide, not NatWest-specificGroup exercises, role plays and interviews explained, with tips for each.Free
07/10Stage 4 · Final
Virtual Assessment Centre and offer
A full day online, with breaks. NatWest lists “a group discussion, interactive role play exercise and interview” as examples.
Before the day
“You’ll be provided with a guide ahead of the day”, including the technology you need.
On the day
“a number of interactive activities”. NatWest’s Insight FAQ says its centres run on “digital platforms such as Zoom”.
After the day
“You’ll hear the outcome of your assessment centre within a few weeks”, with a personalised feedback report.
The offer
“a recruiter will be in touch”. Then NatWest runs pre-employment checks, “like your address history”.
NatWest does not publish the interview questions for the day. Bring the same stories you built for the video.
Key dates: NatWest graduate programmes, 2027 start
28 Sep 2026
The six graduate ads were posted
15 Oct 2026
Four programmes had live ads, with no closing date
15 Oct 2026
Four programmes had live ads, with no closing date
10 days after you apply
Assessments due, reminder on day 7
A few weeks after the centre
Outcome and feedback report
A few weeks after the centre
Outcome and feedback report
Sep 2027
Programmes start
Autumn 2027
Closed programmes reopen, NatWest says
08/10
Visa sponsorship
No graduate ad we checked says NatWest will sponsor a visa. Two ads say it will not.
No
Finance and RBS International ads
Not stated
Engineering and Risk ads
No
Internships, NatWest’s FAQ
The Finance and RBS International ads say: “Please note that we do not offer visa sponsorship for this programme”. The Engineering and Risk ads say nothing on visas, so ask NatWest before you apply. Ads checked at 05:45 BST, 15 October 2026.
NatWest’s FAQ says: “Not all of our graduate programmes offer Skilled Worker sponsorship. We will only offer sponsorship if there is a business requirement to do so and the job meets Skilled Worker Visa eligibility criteria.”
The Graduate visa, from GOV.UK
- Length. The Graduate visa page, updated 9 September 2026, says it lasts “2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026”.
- From 2027. It lasts “18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027”.
Our reading: a Graduate visa may not last a whole programme. So ask NatWest how you would stay for the full length.
See our guides to staying in the UK after studying and UK companies that sponsor visas. This is general information, so check GOV.UK.
09/10
Key takeaways
Before you apply
- Apply now. No closing date is published, and each programme closes once NatWest has enough applications.
- The open programmes have closed. Next time, apply early, since each programme closes once NatWest has enough applications.
- Apply before the closing date on your ad. Each programme can close once NatWest has enough applications.
- You get one programme in one city. NatWest only accepts your first application.
- Four programmes had live ads on 15 October 2026: Engineering, Finance, RBS International and Risk.
- You have 10 days to finish the online assessments. Engineering takes SQL and coding tests.
- The video has six questions. Use STAR, and say “I”, not “we”.
- The Virtual Assessment Centre is a full day, with a feedback report afterwards.
- Need a visa? Finance and RBS International say no. Ask NatWest about Engineering and Risk.
When a scheme gives a close date, we email you a few days before it closes. Save NatWest Group once and the reminder is set.
Set my reminders freeFree account, no card.
10/10
Frequently asked questions
Is the NatWest graduate programme open now?
Yes, for four of the ten. On 15 October 2026, Engineering, Finance, RBS International and Risk had live ads. No closing date is published. Each stays open until NatWest has enough applications, so apply soon.No. The programmes that were open have closed. On 15 October 2026, Engineering, Finance, RBS International and Risk had live ads.Yes, until the closing date on your ad. On 15 October 2026, Engineering, Finance, RBS International and Risk had live ads. The other six say they reopen in autumn 2027.The other six say they reopen in autumn 2027.NatWest has reopened the other six for new applicants.
Can I apply for more than one NatWest programme?
No. NatWest’s FAQ says you can only apply for one programme in one location, and it will only accept your first application. So choose your programme and city before you start.
How much do NatWest graduates earn?
NatWest publishes £37,500 for Finance, RBS International and Risk. Engineering pays £52,000 in London and £42,000 in Edinburgh and Bristol. We checked the ads on 15 October 2026.
Do I need a 2:1 for the NatWest graduate programme?
Yes. NatWest says you cannot join unless you graduate with at least a 2:1. Engineering and Risk ask for a STEM subject. The programmes are open to all, whatever your graduation year.
What tests are in the NatWest graduate application?
Most programmes start with Work Scenarios, which NatWest says comes from its assessment partner SHL, then an Online Skills assessment of about 30 to 35 minutes. Engineering takes Online Skills, a 15-minute SQL test and a 60-minute coding test. You have 10 days to finish.
Does NatWest sponsor visas for graduates?
The Finance and RBS International ads say NatWest does not offer visa sponsorship for those programmes. The Engineering and Risk ads say nothing, so ask NatWest. Its FAQ says not all graduate programmes offer Skilled Worker sponsorship.
What happens at the NatWest assessment centre?
It is a full-day Virtual Assessment Centre with breaks. NatWest lists activities such as a group discussion, a role play and an interview. You get a guide before the day and a personalised feedback report after it.
