About the Company & Graduate Programme
NatWest Group is a relationship-driven bank for a digital world, serving over 19 million customers across the United Kingdom. As one of the country's most influential financial institutions, we are currently undergoing a digital transformation that puts data at the absolute heart of our decision-making. Our commitment to 'Purpose-led banking' means we are not just managing money; we are fostering financial capability and driving economic growth. We recognise that the next generation of talent is vital to this evolution, which is why our Data & Analytics graduate intake is strategically designed to integrate fresh, diverse perspectives into our core operations.
Joining our team means you will be part of a culture that champions innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth. We believe in empowering our graduates to challenge the status quo, utilizing advanced analytics and machine learning to improve customer outcomes. You will work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry, contributing to projects that impact millions of lives daily. Our graduate scheme is pivotal to our long-term strategy of becoming a digitally enabled, cloud-first bank, offering you the unique opportunity to help shape the future of modern finance.
What You'll Do & Key Responsibilities
- Participate in three 8-month rotations across diverse functions such as Customer Insights, Fraud Analytics, Credit Risk Modeling, and Cloud Data Engineering.
- Utilize advanced data manipulation tools and languages, including Python, SQL, SAS, and R, to extract actionable business intelligence from complex datasets.
- Collaborate with cross-functional product squads to integrate data-driven features into our flagship mobile banking applications.
- Engage with senior stakeholders to present data visualisations and narrative insights that directly influence executive decision-making.
- Automate reporting workflows using cloud platforms such as Google Cloud Platform (GCP) or AWS to drive operational efficiency.
- Support the development and deployment of machine learning models to identify emerging financial trends and potential service enhancements.
- Maintain robust data governance standards, ensuring all analytical output adheres to UK financial regulation and ethical data practices.
Who We Are Looking For & Candidate Eligibility
- Degrees accepted: STEM disciplines (Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, Physics), Economics, or Business Management with a strong quantitative focus.
- Academic requirement: A minimum predicted or achieved 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
- An analytical mindset: You should possess a natural curiosity and a passion for solving complex, real-world problems using data-led approaches.
- Teamwork: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical jargon into understandable insights for non-technical colleagues.
- Adaptability: A proactive approach to learning new programming languages and emerging technologies in a fast-paced environment.
- Resilience: Ability to thrive under pressure and contribute to projects that support our long-term digital business strategy.
- Work eligibility: Candidates must have the permanent right to work in the UK without sponsorship restrictions, or be eligible under the Graduate Route visa.
Graduate Training, Rotations & Mentorship
Our structured 24-month programme is designed to ensure you develop both the technical depth and professional breadth required to excel in the financial services sector. Through our rotational model, you will gain exposure to different business units, allowing you to build a comprehensive view of how data permeates the entire banking value chain. You will also be supported by a dedicated programme manager and a senior mentor—a leader within the data domain—who will provide guidance on your long-term career progression and professional development.
Beyond rotational learning, we place a strong emphasis on continuous upskilling. Throughout the programme, you will receive extensive training in cloud technologies and data ethics. We actively encourage and fund relevant professional certifications, such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Professional Data Engineer, or relevant financial risk certifications. This blend of structured on-the-job training, formal mentorship, and external certification ensures you graduate as a well-rounded expert ready to tackle the challenges of modern digital banking.
Salary, Bonus & Benefits Package
- Competitive base salary of £36,000–£38,000 per annum depending on experience and performance.
- Annual performance-related bonus scheme.
- Generous pension scheme with employer matching contributions up to 12%.
- 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell leave.
- Comprehensive private healthcare, life insurance, and wellbeing perks including a subscription to mental health platforms.
- Hybrid working allowance to facilitate an optimal work-from-home setup.
- Relocation assistance package available for those moving to London for the programme.
Recruitment Stages & How to Apply
- Online Application & CV: Complete our short online form and upload your CV detailing your academic background and relevant project experience.
- Gamified Cognitive & Situational Judgement Tests: A series of short, immersive online challenges to assess your problem-solving capabilities and alignment with our company values.
- On-Demand Video Interview: A recorded session where you will answer a series of questions to showcase your motivation for a career in data and banking.
- Virtual Assessment Centre: The final stage involves a technical presentation and a group exercise followed by an interview with senior leaders.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; we strongly encourage early submission as vacancies fill up quickly.