Schroders Graduate Scheme UK: Process, Stages and How to Apply
The Schroders graduate programme is a two-year rotational scheme in asset and wealth management, with one intake a year that usually starts in mid-September. This guide covers who can apply, the four assessment stages Schroders publishes, when applications open and how to prepare, using Schroders’ own graduate pages and FAQs.
One honest limit up front: Schroders’ graduate pages do not publish a salary or a fixed closing date, so we mark those as “Not published”. Anything marked “Official” comes from the Schroders graduates page and its graduate FAQs.
Schroders graduate scheme at a glance
| Item | What we found | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | Two-year rotational development programme in asset and wealth management | Official |
| Business areas | Investment (including Real Estate and Data Insights), Wealth Management, Product, Solutions, Distribution, Global Technology, Group Change, Risk, Tax, Compliance, Marketing, Finance | Official |
| Who can apply | Final-year students or recent graduates (undergraduate or masters) with the right to work without sponsorship now or in future | Official |
| Degree | Have, or be on course for, a 2:1; most roles accept any subject, technical roles may prefer STEM | Official |
| Applications open | Approximately August or September each year, on a rolling basis | Official |
| Start date | Usually mid-September of the following year; one intake per year | Official |
| Qualifications | Level 4 qualification, likely the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) or Investment Advice Diploma for Wealth Management; CFA Level 1 support for most front office roles | Official |
| Applications allowed | One at a time per candidate, per region | Official |
| Assessment centre | October to December; around 4 to 5 hours, in person or virtual | Official |
| Salary | Not published on the graduate pages | Not published |
| Fixed closing date | Not published; recruitment is rolling | Not published |
Source for the Official rows: Schroders graduates page and graduate FAQs, checked on 2 November 2026.
Who can apply
Schroders welcomes final-year students and recent graduates, including masters qualifications. It asks for personal qualities such as intellectual curiosity and appetite for challenge, plus a 2:1 achieved or predicted. It says applications open each September to start the following September, so if you are still at university you should apply at the beginning of your final year. Run through the check below before you apply.
Am I eligible? Quick self-check
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Programmes and what you learn
Roles change year to year depending on where the business needs graduates. Schroders generally recruits across Wealth Management, corporate functions such as Finance, Internal Audit, Risk and Compliance, public markets, client group roles including Sales, Marketing and Product, and private markets through Schroders Capital. You start with an introduction to the industry and first steps towards the IMC, then join your first team, and you are given a buddy, usually a graduate from the year above.
“Make sure to demonstrate your soft skills”
Karolina, Global Technology graduate at Schroders, on her top application tip — Bright Network interview
That is one graduate’s undated interview with a third-party site and relates to the technology programme, so treat it as one person’s view rather than a rule for every role.
Application process and assessment stages
Schroders accepts applications only through its careers site, not by email. It publishes four stages after you submit your application.
Stage 1: cognitive assessment
A short online multiple-choice test of numerical, critical and diagrammatic reasoning, about 20 minutes, with no specialist knowledge needed. Practise with our numerical reasoning guide, logical reasoning guide and verbal reasoning guide.
Stage 2: motivation and behavioural assessment
A short online questionnaire of about 20 minutes about what motivates you and how you like to work. Schroders says stages 1 and 2 are not timed, so you can complete them at your own pace. Our situational judgement test guide helps with the style of questions.
Stage 3: workplace scenarios and video intro
Online workplace scenario questions plus a short recorded video answer, about 30 minutes. Schroders says this is not about being polished. Dress as you would for an interview because your camera is on, and see our video interview guide.
Stage 4: assessment centre
A group activity, a short presentation and an interview, usually in person at a Schroders office or virtual depending on location, lasting about 4 to 5 hours. Assessment centres for graduates take place between October and December, with at least one week’s notice. See our assessment centre guide.
Schroders says candidates receive a bespoke feedback report after each of the three online assessment stages, usually within 24 hours. It cannot give individual feedback on request after that, and you can re-apply the following year if unsuccessful.
When does the Schroders graduate scheme open and close?
Schroders says applications open in approximately August or September each year and that it recruits on a rolling basis, so you should apply sooner rather than later. It publishes no fixed closing date on the graduate pages; each job description on the application site has the details, and a role can fill early. Save a copy of the job description because Schroders advises referring back to it later. See all dates in our graduate scheme deadlines calendar and on the graduate scheme hub.
How to prepare
- Choose one programme in one region first, because you cannot hold two applications in the same region.
- Read the job description for the degree preference and keep a copy to refer to during later stages.
- Take the online tests in a quiet place: stages 1 and 2 are not timed, so there is no need to rush.
- Show motivation and commercial awareness: Schroders says it likes to see drive, relevant experience (including part-time work or volunteering) and passion for the industry.
- Prepare for the assessment centre: practise a short presentation and group discussion, and dress smartly and comfortably.
- Check pay after tax with the paycheck calculator once you have an offer.
How Schroders compares
If you are weighing asset management routes, compare the structure and entry steps with BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and HSBC. Schroders is more specific about its stages and qualification support than about pay, so do not compare salaries without checking each firm’s own advert.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Schroders graduate programme?
Schroders describes it as a two-year rotational development programme in areas including Investment, Wealth Management, Product, Solutions, Distribution, Global Technology, Group Change, Risk, Tax, Compliance, Marketing and Finance. At the end you take a permanent role in the team that best suits your skills and interests.
What degree do I need for Schroders?
You need to have, or be on course for, a 2:1. Most roles accept any degree subject, while more technical roles such as Quant Public Markets prefer a STEM degree. The job description states the requirement.
When do Schroders graduate applications open?
Schroders says applications open in approximately August or September each year and that it recruits on a rolling basis, so apply sooner rather than later. The programme usually starts in mid-September the following year, with one intake per year.
What are the Schroders graduate application stages?
After you apply there are four stages: a cognitive assessment, a motivation and behavioural assessment, workplace scenarios with a short video answer, and an assessment centre with a group activity, presentation and interview.
Can I apply to more than one Schroders programme?
Schroders accepts one application at a time per candidate, per region. You may apply to more than one role if the programmes are in different regions, and it may re-route strong candidates to a better fitting team without a second application.
Does Schroders sponsor visas for graduates?
Schroders says you are eligible if you have the right to work in the country for the programme without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
What is the Schroders graduate salary?
Schroders’ graduate pages do not publish a salary, so we do not quote one. Check the job description and use our paycheck calculator once you have an offer.
