FCA Graduate Scheme 2027: Regulatory Programme, Salary & How to Apply
OPEN FCA 2027 graduate applications opened in early October. The listed deadline is midnight on 29 November 2026, but the FCA may close vacancies earlier if applications are high.
29 October 2026
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) runs its graduate hiring through the Regulatory Graduate Programme, a two-year rotational scheme for students and graduates in any degree discipline. Applications for the 2027 intake are open now, so if you are weighing it up against other public-sector and finance routes, compare it with the Bank of England graduate scheme or browse the Graduate Scheme hub.
FCA graduate scheme 2027 at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Programme | Regulatory Graduate Programme, two years, rotational (year 1: two 6-month rotations; year 2: one 12-month rotation) |
| Starting salary | £37,000 in London; £33,600 in Leeds and Edinburgh (FCA early careers page; may vary by programme) |
| Degree needed | 2:1 or equivalent in any discipline; some schemes may ask for specific subjects |
| Who can apply | Already graduated, or in your final year of study |
| Deadline | Midnight, Sunday 29 November 2026 (as listed on the advert); may close earlier |
| Assessment | Application form, online strengths test, job insight assessment, half-day assessment centre |
| Start | September 2027 |
| Right to work | Needed for the whole programme; the FCA cannot sponsor where the role does not meet Home Office rules |
When do FCA graduate applications open and close?
The FCA says graduate and internship applications open in early October, online assessments and assessment centres run from November to March, and successful candidates join in September. The 2027 Regulatory Graduate Programme advert, as syndicated on TARGETjobs, gives a deadline of midnight on Sunday 29 November 2026 and warns that vacancies may close before then if the FCA receives a high volume of applications. The FCA also says it processes applications as they arrive, so apply early rather than on the final weekend. Applications go through the FCA early careers portal.
The Regulatory Graduate Programme
Over two years you complete rotational placements across the FCA, which may include Authorisations, Policy, Supervision, Market Oversight, Enforcement, and Risk Management and Compliance. Your first two rotations are confirmed before you join; for the final 12-month rotation the FCA considers your interests, strengths and career plans alongside business priorities. You build technical knowledge of financial services and four core skills: judgement, engagement, delivery and self-management.
One FCA supervision graduate describes the appeal of rotating, in the FCA’s own video transcript: “you’re not stuck in one corner of the financial industry” (Wasif Navil, graduate, Supervision team). That is one person’s account, taken from the FCA transcript; it is not a guarantee of what your rotations will be.
Eligibility
| Requirement | What the FCA says |
|---|---|
| Degree | A 2:1 (or equivalent) in any discipline, obtained or on track |
| Timing | You must have already graduated or be in your final year of study |
| Skills | Strong analytical and communication skills, curiosity, integrity and the confidence to challenge constructively |
| One application | Only one application to an FCA early careers programme within a six-month period |
| Your own work | Applications and assessments must be your own; AI-generated responses are not permitted |
| Right to work | You must hold and keep permission to work in the UK for the whole programme |
If you are worried about the 2:1, our guide to graduate jobs you can still get with a 2:2 lists schemes with a lower bar. For the FCA’s AI rule in practice, read how to use ChatGPT for a CV without breaking employer rules.
Salary and benefits
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| London salary | £37,000 (FCA early careers page) |
| Leeds and Edinburgh salary | £33,600 (FCA early careers page; the Leeds 2027 advert also shows £33,600) |
| Working pattern | 35-hour week; hybrid, with at least 50% of working time in the office each month |
| Leave | 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (advert) |
| Pension and cover | Non-contributory pension of 8–12% depending on age; life assurance at eight times salary (advert) |
| Health and wellbeing | Private healthcare with Bupa, income protection, 24/7 Employee Assistance (advert) |
| Extras | 35 hours of paid volunteering a year, interest-free season ticket loans, free eye tests (advert) |
The FCA notes that salaries may vary by programme, so check the specific vacancy before you plan your budget. Our Graduate Scheme hub lets you compare pay across other employers.
The application process
The FCA says the same four-stage process applies to all early careers routes. It starts with an application form where it confirms you meet the minimum requirements, then moves through two online assessments to a half-day assessment centre.
1. Application form
The FCA confirms you meet the minimum requirements and asks for your education and any work experience.
2. Online test: stage 1
An online strengths-based assessment. The FCA strongly encourages you to practise the format first.
3. Online test: job insight assessment
An immersive online assessment with video-based questions, where you show your understanding of the FCA and its role as a regulator.
4. Assessment centre
Half a day, three exercises: a group exercise, an analysis exercise and a strengths-based interview. Centres run January to March for graduates and interns.
This is a different mix from many bank schemes, so see how it fits with the tests in our graduate online tests guide and the assessment centre guide.
How to prepare
The FCA is a data-led regulator and says it assesses data literacy during recruitment, so expect questions that involve working with numbers. It provides practice questions in its Candidate Preparation Zone; start there. For the strengths-based tests, practise the format, read each instruction carefully and be consistent. If you hit situational questions, our situational judgement test guide explains how they work. When you give examples at the job insight stage and the assessment centre, tie them to the FCA’s values and to its four core skills (judgement, engagement, delivery, self-management), using real situations from your own experience.
Other FCA early careers routes
| Route | Entry requirement | Pay (London / Leeds and Edinburgh) | When it opens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate schemes | 2:1 in any discipline | £37,000 / £33,600 | Early October |
| Summer internships | Studying for an undergraduate degree | £25,700 / £23,500 | Early October; start in June |
| Apprenticeships | 5 GCSEs and 2 A-levels or equivalent | £25,700 / £23,500 | February |
Third-party listings also show 2027 programmes beyond the Regulatory one, such as People and Economics tracks (reported by Bright Network); check the FCA portal for current vacancies and dates before applying.
Application checklist
FAQ
When does the FCA graduate scheme 2027 close?
The advert for the 2027 Regulatory Graduate Programme lists midnight on Sunday 29 November 2026 as the deadline. The FCA warns vacancies may close earlier if it receives many applications, so apply early.
How much does the FCA graduate scheme pay?
The FCA early careers page says graduates start on £37,000 in London and £33,600 in Leeds and Edinburgh. Salaries may vary by programme.
Do I need a 2:1 for the FCA graduate scheme?
Yes. The FCA asks for a 2:1 degree or equivalent in any discipline, and some schemes may require specific subjects. You must have graduated already or be in your final year.
Does the FCA sponsor visas?
Not for every role. You need permission to work in the UK for the whole programme, and the FCA says it cannot offer sponsorship where the role does not meet Home Office eligibility requirements.
What is the FCA assessment process?
An application form, an online strengths-based test, an online job insight assessment with video questions, and a half-day assessment centre with a group exercise, an analysis exercise and a strengths-based interview.
Can I use AI in my FCA application?
No. The FCA says your application and any work you submit must be your own, and you should not submit responses generated by an AI assistant or similar software.
Sources: FCA early careers; 2027 Regulatory Graduate Programme advert (TARGETjobs); FCA graduate video transcript. Details can change; confirm on the FCA portal.
