The HSBC graduate scheme is a set of separate graduate programmes across the bank’s business areas, each with its own closing date, location and start date. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and a programme can close early, so apply as soon as you have chosen your route. You can submit only one programme application, so choose carefully. As of 7 November 2026, two UK graduate roles are open: Engineering (Sheffield), closing on 15 November, and Investment Specialist, Alternatives (London), closing on 16 November.
If you’re comparing banking employers, see how it stacks up against Barclays or J.P. Morgan, or browse all graduate schemes in our hub.
“Having no knowledge of finance was daunting, but I was encouraged to focus on the skills and perspectives I did bring.”
Source: HSBC, “Students and graduates”
— Libby, Relationship Management Analyst, joined 2023, Birmingham
When does the HSBC graduate scheme open and close?
Commercial Bank (Manchester) closed on 18 October 2026. Private Bank (London) closed on 29 October and Cyber (Sheffield) on 1 November. Engineering (Sheffield) closes on 15 November 2026 and Investment Specialist, Alternatives (London, opened 2 November) on 16 November 2026. HSBC reviews applications on a rolling basis and a programme can close early, so apply as soon as you have chosen your route. See all dates in the graduate scheme deadlines calendar and the graduate scheme hub.
HSBC graduate scheme at a glance
| Programmes | Separate graduate programmes by business area |
| Application | One programme application only |
| Review | Rolling basis; programmes may close early |
| Selection | Online application, online assessment, assessment centre |
| Start dates | July 2027 for the programmes listed below |
HSBC graduate programmes open for 2027
| Programme | Location | Opens | Closes | Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relationship Management – Commercial Bank – Graduate | North (Manchester) | 1 Oct 2026 | 18 Oct 2026 | 5 Jul 2027 |
| Relationship Management – Private Bank – Graduate | London | 1 Oct 2026 | 29 Oct 2026 | 26 Jul 2027 |
| Cyber – Graduate (Global Chief Information Office) | Sheffield | 5 Oct 2026 | 1 Nov 2026 | 26 Jul 2027 |
| Engineering – Graduate (Global Chief Information Office) | Sheffield | 5 Oct 2026 | 15 Nov 2026 | 26 Jul 2027 |
Check HSBC’s graduate programmes page for the current list, because roles are added and closed through the season.
How the HSBC graduate application process works
HSBC uses a three-step process:
How to prepare
Use HSBC’s Practice Zone to try the…
Use HSBC’s Practice Zone to try the assessment formats before the real one.
Use the Skills Matcher (about 5 minutes)…
Use the Skills Matcher (about 5 minutes) if you are unsure which programme suits you.
Read our assessment centre guide for the…
Read our assessment centre guide for the group exercise and interview.
Apply early: rolling review means later applicants…
Apply early: rolling review means later applicants may find the programme already closed.
Requirements
Academic requirements vary by programme and are not a blanket 2:1, so read the criteria on the listing you apply to. You need the right to work in the UK. In some locations an internship is the best route into the graduate programme.
Quick eligibility check
Tick what applies to you.
From the requirements and application rules on HSBC’s graduate pages.
HSBC graduate scheme locations
The programmes above are based in London, Manchester and Sheffield. HSBC also recruits graduates in other locations, so check the programme page for yours.
HSBC graduate scheme salary
HSBC doesn’t publish one salary for every programme. Glassdoor reports an average of about £38,500 for HSBC graduates, with a range of roughly £35,800 to £48,600. Treat these as a guide and check the figure in your offer. Use Debut’s Paycheck Calculator to see take-home pay.
How HSBC compares
Compare HSBC with Barclays, J.P. Morgan, Lloyds, Santander, NatWest or Nationwide, a mutual with six groups of Skills Development Programmes for September 2027. You can also browse the full list on our Graduate Scheme hub.
Side by side: comparing HSBC with another bank? Read HSBC vs J.P. Morgan and Barclays vs HSBC.
In our UK Graduate Scheme Transparency Index 2027, which ranks 29 UK employers on pay, closing dates, stages, grades and status, HSBC scores 3 out of 5: it publishes closing dates per programme, states 2:1 or higher for London graduate roles and shows whether a programme is open, but we found no starting salary or full stage list on the pages we read (checked 21 October 2026).
Also see our guides to the UBS graduate scheme and the J.P. Morgan graduate scheme, and the full graduate scheme opening dates table.
Also see the Aviva graduate scheme guide, a permanent-contract alternative in financial services.
FAQ
How many stages are there in the HSBC graduate application?
Three: an online application form, a 90-minute online assessment, and an assessment centre of about three hours.
When does the HSBC graduate scheme close?
Each programme has its own date. Current UK closing dates run from 18 October to 15 November 2026, and programmes may close early because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Do I need a 2:1 for the HSBC graduate scheme?
Requirements vary by programme, so check the listing you apply to.
Can I apply to more than one HSBC graduate programme?
No. HSBC allows one programme application only.
How long does HSBC take to respond?
Online assessment outcomes usually come within a couple of days. The interview shortlist can take weeks.
Comparing finance routes? See our Finance graduate schemes UK guide for banks, asset managers, regulators, insurers and accountancy firms side by side.
