NatWest's graduate programmes pay a starting salary of £33,500, with an extra £3,450 a year for London-based roles. You need a 2:1 in any subject. Applications are processed in the order they arrive, and once you apply you have ten days to complete the assessment stage.
That ten day window catches people out constantly, so it is worth understanding before you hit submit.
What is the NatWest graduate salary?
£33,500 as a starting salary, according to NatWest's published programme listings. If your team is London-based, you get a location allowance of £3,450 on top, taking the total to £36,950.
Third party salary panels report lower averages, in the £30,000 to £33,000 range, but those blend older cohorts and part-completed programmes into the figure. The £33,500 comes from the programme listing itself, so it is the number to work from.
Interns are paid at a pro rata rate equivalent to £45,000 for the ten week summer programme, which is notably above the graduate rate. That is not an error. Internship rates are priced to compete for penultimate year students, and the graduate rate is priced against a two to three year development programme with a qualification attached.
What are the entry requirements?
A 2:1 or above, achieved or predicted. NatWest is explicit that you will not be able to join without one, so unlike some retail banks there is no realistic route in with a 2:2 and strong experience.
Degree subject does not matter. NatWest recruits across all disciplines and assesses against what it calls its five Critical People Capabilities, which are behavioural rather than technical.
If you have a 2:2, look at Lloyds instead. Lloyds Banking Group accepts a 2:2 or above across its graduate schemes, which makes it the more realistic target of the two big UK retail banks. We cover that in our Lloyds graduate scheme guide.
How does the NatWest application process work?
| Stage | What happens | Timing |
| Online application | Standard form, one programme only | Rolling, from autumn |
| Online assessment | Situational and strengths based | Must complete within 10 days of applying |
| Video assessment | Recorded, reviewed by trained assessors | Review time varies, high volume |
| Virtual assessment centre | Individual and group exercises on Zoom | By invitation |
| Offer | . | Varies |
The ten day rule is the operational detail that matters. NatWest gives you ten days from application submission to complete the assessment, and it does not chase you. Do not apply on the last night of a term and then disappear on a two week holiday.
Two more things worth knowing. NatWest only accepts your first application, so pick one programme and commit. And applications are processed in the order received, with limited places, so early is better. This is the same rolling model Barclays uses, and it produces the same outcome: the published deadline is a formality by the time it arrives.
Will you get feedback if you are rejected?
At the video assessment stage, no. NatWest states plainly that the volume is too high to give personalised feedback at that point. It is worth knowing so you do not spend three weeks refreshing your inbox waiting for an explanation that is not coming.
Are internships open to final year students?
No. NatWest internships are for penultimate year students only. There is one useful exception: if you are a final year undergraduate going straight on to a master's, you can apply, provided you graduate from the master's in the right year. Students in the first year of a two year master's also count as penultimate year.
Where are NatWest graduate roles based?
Edinburgh, London, Manchester and Bristol carry most of the volume, with Edinburgh particularly strong given the group's roots there. You will only be able to work from the country the role is based in, as NatWest does not support international remote working.
Edinburgh is the one to think about carefully. A £33,500 salary with no London allowance goes a great deal further there than £36,950 does in London, and the programme quality is the same. If you are heading to either city and need somewhere to land, our Edinburgh and London accommodation listings cover graduate-friendly twelve month contracts.
FAQs
Q: What is the NatWest graduate scheme salary?
A: £33,500 a year, plus a £3,450 annual allowance for London-based roles. Summer interns are paid at a rate equivalent to £45,000 pro rata.
Q: Do I need a 2:1 for the NatWest graduate scheme?
A: Yes. NatWest requires a 2:1 or above in any degree subject, and states you will not be able to join the programme without one.
Q: How long do I have to complete the NatWest online assessment?
A: Ten days from the date you submit your application. NatWest does not send reminders, so diary it.
Q: Can I apply to more than one NatWest programme?
A: No. NatWest only accepts your first application, so choose the programme carefully before you submit.
Q: Does NatWest give feedback after the video assessment?
A: No. NatWest receives too many video assessments to provide personalised feedback at that stage.
