Frequently asked questions
Find an answer to the most commonly asked questions.
No, not at all. We welcome students from all degree disciplines and backgrounds. We’re interested in the skills and unique perspectives you bring, not what you studied. Over 60 per cent of the students that join us don’t have a background in finance and we’re actively working to increase that number. We see the value in teams that contain a broad mix of people from different backgrounds and with different ways of seeing the world.
No, you don’t need a background in technology to apply. We do ask you to complete a coding assessment during the recruitment process. So, some capability in coding is a pre-requisite, but you don’t need to have formally studied it. In some locations we offer insight programmes which teach basic coding ability, preparing you to apply to our internship and graduate programmes.
Our Skills Matcher (opens in new window) can identify the programmes that best suit your skills and work preferences. It takes just five minutes to complete. We’re interested in your behavioural and cognitive skills, not what you studied. In instances where we do require a specific academic background, this is included on the detailed programme description, which is available on the website when we open applications.
This will depend on the role and team. The work pattern for the training programme is included on the detailed programme description which is viewable when applications open. In general, HSBC supports hybrid working. As someone new to the team, we do encourage you to come into the office as often as you can to interact with your peers and learn from your colleagues.
Financial services is a dynamic and exciting area to work in. No day is ever the same. There can be a lot to learn at the beginning, but we have support structures in place to ensure that you succeed; from mentors and buddies to skills development programmes, resource groups, wellness initiatives and hybrid working. And while the pressure and hours can be intense in roles like trading and investment banking, that’s not the case across the bank.
Work-life balance will alter across different areas of the bank. In areas such as investment banking and trading, the pressure can be high and at times the work hours long as you respond to the financial markets and work on deals. In client-facing roles in areas such as sales and relationship management you may need to flex your schedule to ensure you can be there when your clients need you. In other areas the work hours are more stable. Overall HSBC offers hybrid working and has resources in place to support you in work and life, with facilities such as on-site gyms, restaurants, regular social activities and health and wellbeing initiatives.
Academic requirements vary depending on the programme and location you’re interested in. They’re listed on the detailed programme descriptions that you’ll find in the apply section of the website when applications open.
If you applied in a previous recruitment cycle and year, then yes, you can apply again. For the best chance of success, consider why you may not have been successful previously so you can work on any skills or development gaps.
We don’t encourage deferred entry for our graduate programmes but will consider individual requests on a case-by-case basis. One thing to be aware of is that deferred offers are not guaranteed as they’ll always depend on future hiring needs.
Our ability to sponsor visas is dependent on country legal requirements and business need. Any instances where we are open to receiving applications from students who will require visa sponsorship will be stated in the eligibility criteria on the detailed programme description. This is viewable at the point of application.
If you need a visa for your role, and we can offer sponsorship, we’ll be able to provide guidance and support during your application but can’t advise you of your work eligibility status. Any offer of employment will be subject to you gaining immigration approval before your start date and could be impacted by any legal changes affecting visa sponsorship in the location in which you have applied to work.
Our chatbot ‘Stitt’ can answer most common queries about our programmes and the application process. You’ll find it in the bottom right-hand corner of your application form once you start to complete it. Stitt is available 24/7 throughout the application process.
We have a variety of roles ranging from trading to technology, consulting to sales – and everything in-between. If you’re not sure where you might best fit, you can use our Skills Matcher(opens in new window) (opens in new window). Answer a few simple questions about what you enjoy, and we’ll guide you to areas and programmes we think will suit you best.
Once a programme is open for applications you will find it listed on the Find a programme page.
Application opening dates vary for different programmes and markets. To be emailed when programmes open, join our Talent Community (opens in new window).
We don’t offer all programmes in all markets, and in several locations our graduate programme places are filled via our internships. In locations where internships are available, they are the best route to securing a graduate opportunity. Our insight programmes (where they are offered) are also a great way to fast-track to an internship programme.
The best way to know when we open applications is to join our Talent Community (opens in new window). You will receive a monthly email which will advise you which programmes we are actively recruiting for.
In addition to the information on our website, you could join one of our events where you can speak to our recruiters, graduates and apprentices to learn about opportunities and the assessment and selection process.
We also recommend that you make use of our Practice Zone (opens in new window) so you know what to expect from our assessments.
Sadly not, but we have lots of support to help you decide which programme to apply to. Our Skills Matcher (opens in new window) will identify the programmes that best suit your skills and preferences. We also encourage you to attend our careers events, where you can meet colleagues from across the bank and learn more about what they do.
Once a programme is open for applications you will find it listed on the Find a programme page.
Application opening dates vary for different programmes and markets. To be emailed when programmes open, join our Talent Community (opens in new window).
We don’t offer all programmes in all markets and in several locations our graduate programme places are filled via our internships. In locations where internships are available, they are the best route to securing a graduate opportunity. Our insight programmes (where they are offered) are also a great way to fast-track to an internship programme.
Applications open for different programmes at different times. The best way to know when we open applications is to join our Talent Community (opens in new window). You will receive a monthly email which will advise you which programmes we are actively recruiting for.
Applications open for different programmes at different times. Join our Talent Community (opens in new window) and we’ll email you to let you know when applications open.
We encourage you to apply as soon as you can, as we review applications on a rolling basis and may close a programme early if all vacancies are filled.
The application form takes around 10 minutes to complete. You may need to provide your CV or transcripts but there are no long written questions to complete – we just need to know the basics about you to check you’re eligible for the programme you’ve applied to. You’ll also be asked a few questions to help us report on and monitor equal opportunities in line with local requirements. These won’t be used to make hiring decisions, and you can choose not to share this information if you prefer.
Our assessment process is mostly virtual, but final stage interviews/assessment centres may happen in-person. This will be highlighted on the detailed programme description at the point of application.
You can submit your application form via a mobile, tablet or desktop device. We recommend you use a laptop or tablet with strong internet access to complete your online assessments. This is because you’ll need to review different information sources.
To complete a video interview, you’ll need a laptop or tablet with a webcam. Our platform will help you do a system check to make sure your video and sound quality is good before you start the video interview questions.
Depending on which market and programme you’re applying to, there’ll be one or two stages. Our online assessments are designed to give you the opportunity to see what it’s like working at HSBC and through real-life scenarios, assess how your skills align with the role you’ve applied for.
You’ll need to respond to questions in different formats that could include audio or visual content, including graphs or data tables, similar to what you might see if you were working at HSBC. You’ll also need to provide some short written and video responses so we can get to know you better. Each assessment will take around 40 minutes to complete.
These are mostly virtual but sometimes will be run in-person at one of our offices. You’ll meet HSBC employees and complete different interviews and exercises to showcase your skills. We suggest that do your research about HSBC and your chosen programme so you can clearly explain why you are interested in joining. The assessment centre usually runs for three hours and there are plenty of breaks.
In most cases you’ll be assessed virtually by senior business representatives at the office you applied to. If you need to attend an assessment centre in person, we’ll work with you to arrange everything in good time and in line with our travel reimbursement policy.
We’ll let you know the outcome of your online assessment within a couple of days. Due to the volume of applications we receive, creating an interview shortlist can take a couple of weeks or longer. Whatever the outcome, your recruiter will aim to update you as soon as possible, and you’ll always receive a final decision, along with developmental feedback, from us via email at each stage of the process.
Reimbursement for travel will depend on the location you are applying in. Please contact your local recruitment team for details.
Our chatbot ‘Stitt’ can answer most common queries about our programmes and the application process. You’ll find it in the bottom right-hand corner of your application form once you start to complete it. Stitt is available 24/7 throughout the application process.
You can also contact your local recruitment team.
We run events at peak recruitment periods around the world. If you can’t see any listed which are relevant for you, sign up to our Talent Community (opens in new window) and you’ll receive a regular monthly email which will include all upcoming events.
We ask you to register as sometimes spaces at our events are limited.
The recruitment team will email you to confirm your place, along with any joining details.
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