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Who are HSBC?

HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. We serve approximately 40 million customers through our global businesses: Wealth and Personal Banking, Commercial Banking, and Global Banking & Markets. Our network covers 63 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, North America and Latin America.

Our purpose – Opening up a world of opportunity – explains why we exist. We’re here to use our unique expertise, capabilities, breadth and perspectives to open up new kinds of opportunity for our customers. We’re bringing together the people, ideas and capital that nurture progress and growth, helping to create a better world – for our customers, our people, our investors, our communities and the planet we all share.

Listed on the London, Hong Kong, New York and Bermuda stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings plc are held by around 182,000 shareholders in 128 countries and territories.

Whether you are looking for a first job or taking the next step in your career, we offer many ways for you to realise your ambitions. Come and work with us and you’ll have opportunities to make connections all over the world and help build the bank for the future. But also for our employees, who we hugely value and we want them to have a long-term career with HSBC

Our offices are modern, open-plan, accessible and inclusive, there are multi-faith rooms, and on-site gyms with classes during lunch and after work. The majority of our offices have restaurants and cafes inside, offering a range of hot and cold food which we can purchase, as well as hot drink machines on every floor. Some offices even have table tennis tables and rooftops to relax during breaks! A favourite office is the Birmingham office, as in the summer months our chefs cook a BBQ on the rooftop which we can enjoy together as a team! Most of our teams hot-desk which means that instead of having a specific desk to work at, we can work wherever a desk is available on the day. This means we get to sit with different team members every time we come into the office and learn from each other. We have meeting rooms in the offices with glass windows around them so it feels very open-planned and collaborative when you’re working with others on a project.

Programmes Available:

We offer many different programmes to support diverse and entry level talent coming into HSBC.

If you’re in full time education we offer a one-week Work Experience Programme to give you an in-depth insight into life at HSBC, what we do and the types of roles available, along with host of activities to make sure you get the best out of the week. The programme normally runs in the summer months but you’ll need to apply online to start the application process via the HSBC Work Experience webpage before the programme begins.

Our apprenticeships can either be completed at Foundation or Degree level. The Foundation apprenticeships provide an entry-level, permanent job whilst working towards a Level 3 or 4 qualification which are equivalent to Highers. Normally, a Foundation Apprenticeship scheme takes 18 months to complete and then you can progress onto higher level apprenticeships or other pathways within HSBC.

You’ll receive a competitive salary and benefits package, alongside a wealth of support and development opportunities to help you thrive in your career within HSBC. These programmes are available in a range of business areas and locations, and have various start dates throughout the year, so if you are interested in these amazing opportunities you will need to be checking the HSBC Apprenticeship webpage and apply for the programmes that you feel best suits your experience and passions. Most of the programmes require 5 National 5’s, however some programmes also have their own additional requirements too.

HSBC Apprentice
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The Degree Apprenticeship Programme provides you the opportunity to work towards a BSc Honors degree in Financial Services Management, with HSBC paying the degree tuition fees for you! You’ll be on the programme for approximately 4 and a half years, with a series of different rotations across one of our business lines, enabling you to develop a broad range of skills. Throughout your programme, you will receive a wealth of support and guidance to ensure you have the platform to accelerate your career within the HSBC Group. This includes a dedicated mentor, ongoing learning and development opportunities and a real mixture of learning styles, including one-to-one tuition in the workplace and classroom, on-demand resources, dedicated study days and self-study. The Degree Apprenticeship Programme normally accepts applications in the Autumn, with start date for the programme in the following Autumn. You’ll typically need 96 UCAS points as well as 5 National 5’s including Maths and English or equivalent and above in order to apply, but we can accept predicted grades for those in their final year at college or sixth form.

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General benefits and progression routes:

HSBC’s approach to remuneration consists of four main elements:

  • Fixed pay
  • Annual leave
  • A range of benefits, which may cover areas such as work-life balance, insurance and savings, health and personal development
  • Employee share plans and discretionary pay awards based on performance

We believe that the way people achieve their goals is essential to the long-term sustainability of our business. As a result, annual performance reviews also take into account employees’ adherence to HSBC’s values.

Our approach to remuneration, including any discretionary incentive or performance-related awards, is designed to reward success appropriately and to ensure that what we pay employees is aligned with our business strategy. To achieve this, we assess individual performance against our annual and long-term financial and non-financial objectives.

How you will be supported:

At HSBC our purpose is opening up a world of opportunity. That means celebrating our differences and building a culture where everyone feels included, valued and respected.

We believe everyone should have the freedom to be themselves at work and we encourage colleagues to be active allies and to speak up if they have concerns.

We work with our global employee networks to create an environment where everyone feels included and supported.

Support within the workplace:

Over the course of the apprentice programme, we typically offer:

  • Hands on work experience
  • An opportunity to work on a project and present back to managers
  • Feedback on how you can develop yourself
  • Tips on recruitment processes for the future
  • Opportunities to meet a range of HSBC employees and ask as many questions as you want to help you understand what working for HSBC is like and your potential future ambitions

Students and graduates | HSBC Holdings plc

Students and Graduates. Launch your career, shape your future

Current HSBC Awards

  • Best Onboarding & Induction Programme – Institute of Student Employers 2023

  • Best Overall Emerging Talent Strategy, Best Graduate Development Programme, Best Onboarding and Induction Programme, Institute of Student Employers Awards 2022
  • The Times Graduate Employer of Choice (Finance) Award 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
  • Top 100 Work Experience and Apprentice Employers 2021: HSBC UK 4th 2022: 2nd
  • Best Graduate Development Programme – Institute of Student Employers Awards 2021
  • Best Development Initiative for Undergraduates Award at the 2021 National Undergraduate Employability Awards
  • Best Development Initiative for Undergraduates Award at the 2020 National Undergraduate Employability Awards
  • Best Work Experience Programme Award at the 2020 National Graduate Recruitment Awards
  • Outstanding Collaboration Between a University and Employer at the 2020 National Undergraduate Employability Awards in partnership with Aston University
  • Outstanding University Partnership with an Employer Award (HSBC UK and Aston University) at the Institute of Student Employers Awards 2020
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Hear from some of HSBC’s fantastic people about their experience.

Aladje Totala (Customer Service Consultant):

The HSBC apprenticeship programme provides flexibility to study while working and provides easily accessible materials needed to succeed. The apprenticeship is expanding my horizons and making me aware of how simple things have a huge impact on people lives. The programme provides hands on experience and shows that an individual does not need to go to university to be industry qualified.

Natasha Hartigan (WPB Degree Apprentice):

I wanted to progress my career in financial services and show my children (as well as myself) that, no matter where you come from, at whatever age and through hard work and determination anything is possible! This is the reason why I applied for the Degree Apprenticeship.

It was one of the best decisions I ever made, the opportunities I have received, the platform, wealth of knowledge and experience I am getting is second to none and I am forever grateful to HSBC to be on the Degree Apprenticeship programme.