HSBC vs JP Morgan Graduate Scheme 2027: Which Bank Should You Apply To?
“Having no knowledge of finance was daunting”
Libby, Relationship Management Analyst at HSBC, joined 2023, Birmingham. One person’s account of her own route. Source: HSBC, Students and graduates
The HSBC vs JP Morgan graduate scheme question is really about how each bank organises early careers. HSBC runs separate graduate programmes by business area, each with its own location, start date and closing date, and you can submit only one programme application. J.P. Morgan runs full-time programmes of 24 to 36 months across Investment Banking, Markets, Asset & Wealth Management and Technology, with several closing on 1 November 2026. Our full guides cover each in detail: the HSBC graduate scheme and the J.P. Morgan graduate scheme. For other banks, see Barclays vs HSBC and Goldman Sachs.
HSBC vs JP Morgan graduate scheme at a glance
| HSBC | J.P. Morgan | |
|---|---|---|
| How it’s organised | Separate programmes by business area, one application only | Full-time programmes across divisions, 24 to 36 months depending on the role |
| Who can apply | Requirements vary by programme, not a blanket 2:1; right to work in the UK | Undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD and MBA candidates; criteria set per programme |
| Current UK programmes | Four open as of 9 October 2026: Commercial Bank (Manchester), Private Bank (London), Cyber and Engineering (Sheffield) | Several full-time programmes across London, Glasgow, Manchester and Edinburgh |
| Closing dates | 18 October, 29 October, 1 November and 15 November 2026 | 1 November 2026 for several programmes |
| Review | Rolling; programmes may close early | Rolling; roles can fill before the closing date |
| Process | Online form, online assessment, assessment centre | Reported: online application, online assessments, video interview, final round |
The single biggest difference: separate closing dates vs one common deadline
At HSBC every programme has its own window: Relationship Management in the Commercial Bank (Manchester) closes on 18 October, the Private Bank (London) on 29 October, Cyber (Sheffield) on 1 November and Engineering (Sheffield) on 15 November 2026. Because you can submit only one programme application, you have to choose before you apply.
At J.P. Morgan, several 2027 full-time programmes close on the same date, 1 November 2026, so you can compare divisions and then apply to the one that fits. In short: HSBC asks you to pick one programme and move quickly, J.P. Morgan gives a shared deadline but a more competitive field.
HSBC vs JP Morgan graduate scheme 2027: pay compared
Neither bank publishes one UK graduate salary on the pages we checked. The figures below are reported, not published by the banks, so check your offer.
| HSBC | J.P. Morgan | |
|---|---|---|
| Reported average | About £38,500 (Glassdoor) | Depends on division |
| Reported range | Roughly £35,800 to £48,600 (Glassdoor) | Technology and Operations £35,000–£45,000; Asset & Wealth Management £40,000–£50,000; Investment Banking £60,000–£70,000 base plus a discretionary bonus (reported estimates) |
On reported figures J.P. Morgan’s investment banking base sits well above HSBC’s reported range, but its technology and operations tracks start in a similar band. The J.P. Morgan figures are the reported estimates from our J.P. Morgan guide, and the HSBC figure comes from Glassdoor. To see either salary after tax, use Debut’s Paycheck Calculator.
What the job actually feels like
HSBC’s graduates describe a route into finance that does not require a finance degree. Libby’s account, quoted above, says she was encouraged to focus on the skills and perspectives she did bring, and the programme listings are built around business areas such as relationship management, cyber and engineering.
J.P. Morgan describes its programmes as combining on-the-job training with structured learning, and says it wants to hire “the whole person, not just a set of skills” (JPMorganChase, How we hire). That is a company statement, not a named graduate’s view. We did not find a named J.P. Morgan graduate quote we could verify, so we have not included one.
Programme structure
HSBC. Each programme is its own route: Relationship Management in the Commercial Bank or Private Bank, or technology tracks in Cyber and Engineering within the Global Chief Information Office. Start dates listed are 5 July 2027 for Manchester and 26 July 2027 for the London and Sheffield programmes.
J.P. Morgan. Full-time programmes run from 24 to 36 months, depending on the role, across divisions including Investment Banking, Markets, Asset & Wealth Management and Technology. J.P. Morgan also runs summer internships of 10 to 12 weeks and apprenticeships, which can be a route into the graduate programme.
Application process
HSBC uses three steps. An online application form takes 10 to 15 minutes, with no long written questions. An online assessment lasts about 90 minutes, and you usually hear the outcome within a couple of days. The assessment centre lasts about three hours and is mostly virtual, sometimes in person, and interview shortlisting can take several weeks. HSBC offers a Practice Zone and a Skills Matcher to help you prepare and choose a programme.
J.P. Morgan describes its hiring as explore, apply, interview and decision, and says the process differs for each position. Candidates commonly report an online application, online assessments (numerical, verbal or situational judgement for some programmes), a pre-recorded video interview, and a final round, often called a Superday, with group exercises, case studies or senior interviews. Treat the J.P. Morgan stages as reported, not official, and follow the instructions for your own programme. Prepare with our assessment centre guide and survival guide.
Locations
HSBC’s current UK programmes are based in London, Manchester and Sheffield, and HSBC also recruits graduates in other locations, so check your programme page. J.P. Morgan’s UK graduate roles are mostly in London, including Canary Wharf, with some programmes in Glasgow, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Deadlines
HSBC: 18 October (Commercial Bank, Manchester), 29 October (Private Bank, London), 1 November (Cyber, Sheffield) and 15 November 2026 (Engineering, Sheffield). Check HSBC’s graduate programmes page for the current list, because roles are added and closed through the season. J.P. Morgan: several 2027 full-time programmes close on 1 November 2026; confirm your programme’s date on J.P. Morgan’s graduate careers page. Both review on a rolling basis, so apply well before the closing date.
Benefits
HSBC does not list a benefits package on the programme pages we opened, so confirm benefits in your offer. For J.P. Morgan, graduates typically receive pension contributions, health insurance and wellbeing perks, according to our guide, but check your own offer.
A word from people already doing the job
Libby’s view of HSBC is that you do not need a finance background to start. J.P. Morgan’s own message is that it hires the whole person. Libby’s is a named graduate’s account, and J.P. Morgan’s is the company’s wording, so they are not like-for-like. We would rather say so than invent a matching quote.
HSBC vs JP Morgan graduate scheme 2027: which one should you apply to?
Choose HSBC if you want to pick one specific business area, you are interested in relationship management or technology roles in Manchester, London or Sheffield, and you can act quickly: the first programme closes on 18 October.
Choose J.P. Morgan if you are aiming at investment banking, markets or technology with a higher reported base in some divisions, and you can prepare for a longer and more competitive process before the 1 November deadline. Remember that HSBC allows only one programme application.
For more banking options, compare Barclays, Santander, NatWest and BlackRock, or browse the Graduate Scheme hub.
FAQ
What is the difference between the HSBC and J.P. Morgan graduate schemes?
HSBC runs separate programmes by business area, each with its own closing date and a one-application limit. J.P. Morgan runs 24 to 36 month programmes across divisions, with several closing on 1 November 2026.
Which pays graduates more, HSBC or J.P. Morgan?
On reported figures HSBC graduates average about £38,500, while J.P. Morgan’s reported base ranges from £35,000 in technology and operations to £60,000 or more in investment banking, plus bonuses in some divisions. These are not published by the banks.
When do HSBC and J.P. Morgan graduate applications close?
HSBC’s current UK programmes close between 18 October and 15 November 2026. Several J.P. Morgan programmes close on 1 November 2026. Both review applications on a rolling basis.
Can I apply to more than one HSBC programme?
No. HSBC allows one programme application only.
Do I need a finance degree?
Not necessarily. HSBC’s requirements vary by programme and are not a blanket 2:1. J.P. Morgan sets criteria per programme, and some roles expect numerical or technical skills.
How many stages does each process have?
HSBC has three: an online form, a 90-minute online assessment and an assessment centre of about three hours. J.P. Morgan’s stages are commonly reported as an online application, online assessments, a video interview and a final round.
Do HSBC and J.P. Morgan offer internships?
J.P. Morgan runs summer internships of 10 to 12 weeks and apprenticeships. HSBC says that in some locations an internship is the best route into the graduate programme.
