Goldman Sachs vs JP Morgan Graduate Scheme 2026: The Ultimate Comparison
Goldman Sachs vs JP Morgan Graduate Scheme 2026: The Ultimate Comparison
Goldman Sachs vs JP Morgan graduate scheme — if investment banking is the target, these are two of the most competitive entry points in the UK, and the numbers genuinely differ. The Goldman Sachs Graduate Scheme (internally the New Analyst Programme) reports a higher average total compensation than the JP Morgan Graduate Scheme, but JP Morgan runs a longer, more structured process that some candidates find easier to prepare for.
Salary: what each employer publishes
Goldman Sachs does not publish a UK graduate starting salary for the New Analyst Programme; its benefits page says pay may consist of salary, discretionary compensation and local allowances. Glassdoor’s figures conflict (a roughly £72K average sits under a United States selector, while text on the same page gives about £37,915), so we give no Goldman Sachs figure here.
JP Morgan publishes a clearer breakdown by track:
| Track | Starting salary |
|---|---|
| Technology / Operations | £35,000–£45,000 |
| Asset & Wealth Management | £40,000–£50,000 |
| Investment Banking | £60,000–£70,000 base (+ bonus, total often £90,000+) |
Because Goldman Sachs publishes no figure, we cannot rank the two on starting pay; J.P. Morgan’s figures below are reported estimates that vary by division. Run either figure through Debut’s Paycheck Calculator to see it after tax.
Entry requirements
Goldman Sachs accepts students from any academic background — no finance or economics degree required, and little to no prior work experience is expected.
J.P. Morgan sets entry criteria per programme and role; many graduate programmes ask for a 2:1, so check the listing you apply to.
Goldman Sachs lists no minimum classification on its New Analyst page.
Application process: how they actually differ
Goldman Sachs’ preparation page describes an online application where you choose divisions and locations, a video interview of about 30 minutes, and a Superday of two to five interviews, depending on the division (Engineering adds a HackerRank assessment). Goldman Sachs says applications are evaluated throughout the recruiting season; it publishes no closing date or fill times.
JP Morgan runs a four-stage process: online application (CV, cover letter, eligibility questions) → online assessments (numerical, verbal, situational judgement) → HireVue video interview (pre-recorded) → assessment centre, also called a “Superday” (group exercises, case studies, interviews with senior staff).
The practical difference: JP Morgan adds a formal online-testing stage before the video interview that Goldman skips entirely — if numerical/verbal reasoning tests are a weak point, JP Morgan’s process has one more hurdle than Goldman’s.
Programme structure
Goldman Sachs’ New Analyst Programme has you choose a division and location when you apply; its businesses include Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management and Engineering, plus support functions such as Operations, Risk and Legal.
JP Morgan‘s programme spans Investment Banking, Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Technology, with programme length and structure stated in each advert.
Both firms recruit into several divisions; the exact programmes open each year are listed on their application pages.
See Goldman Sachs’ own New Analyst Programme page and JP Morgan’s students and graduates hub for full official details.
Locations
Goldman Sachs lists London and Birmingham as its UK offices; the Birmingham office opened in 2021 at One Centenary Way.
J.P. Morgan’s UK graduate roles are mainly in London, including Canary Wharf, with some programmes in Glasgow, Manchester and Edinburgh.
If a second UK base matters, both firms offer options outside London, so check the location on each advert.
Application deadlines
Timing is where the Goldman Sachs vs JP Morgan graduate scheme comparison gets tactical — both reward speed over waiting for a calendar date.
Goldman Sachs publishes no closing date for the New Analyst Programme and says only that timelines vary by business; check its application page and apply early under rolling review.
J.P. Morgan: several UK full-time programmes for 2027 starts, across London, Glasgow, Manchester and Edinburgh, close on 1 November 2026; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Both firms reward speed over waiting for the calendar date — for both, apply as soon as your target division opens.
Benefits comparison
Goldman Sachs: its global benefits page lists medical, dental, disability and life insurance, an employee assistance programme, flexible working subject to manager approval and an equity programme; benefits vary by office and it gives no UK pension wording.
J.P. Morgan: its graduate page says typical benefits include pension contributions, health insurance and wellbeing perks; check your offer.
Both offer standard large-bank benefit packages; neither publishes a standout differentiator over the other.
Goldman Sachs vs JP Morgan graduate scheme: which one should you apply to?
Neither firm lets us rank starting pay: Goldman Sachs publishes no UK graduate salary, and J.P. Morgan’s figures are reported estimates by division. Goldman Sachs states no minimum degree classification on its New Analyst page and recruits from all academic backgrounds; J.P. Morgan sets entry criteria per programme, so check the listing. Choose by division, location and timing rather than by an unpublished pay figure.
Both are genuinely rolling processes — applying to one doesn’t rule out the other, and many candidates targeting investment banking specifically run both in parallel.
For the rest of the banking cluster, see the Graduate Scheme hub, or compare against Barclays vs HSBC if you’re weighing a broader set of UK banks.
