A Guide to the HSBC Graduate Scheme & Tips
Updated November 20, 2023
- Where Is HSBC Based?
- What Are HSBC Grad Schemes and Internships?
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- Who Is Eligible to Apply for HSBC Grad Schemes and Internships?
- HSBC Graduate Scheme Requirements
- Who Are the HSBC Grad Schemes and Internships Aimed At?
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- What Do You Learn on HSBC Grad Schemes and Internships?
- HSBC Benefits
- HSBC Graduate Scheme Salary and Internship Salary
- How to Apply for an HSBC Grad Scheme or Internship
- Useful Links
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
HSBC is a British bank and financial services group headquartered in London, with a history of business links internationally.
HSBC came in at number 20 globally in the Forbes list of largest companies ranked by sales, profits, assets and market value.
With an impressive financial performance and a multinational footprint, it is no surprise that HSBC’s global graduate (grad) and internship schemes attract some of the most talented students across the world.
The purpose of this article is to provide a thorough understanding of the HSBC grad scheme recruitment and hiring process. It will cover everything from the application process to the benefits available and salary expectations.
By the end of this article, you will have a strong knowledge of how to apply to the HSBC grad scheme and increase your chances of starting a fulfilling career with one of the world’s most renowned banks.
Where Is HSBC Based?
HSBC started in China in 1865 and in 1991 HSBC Holdings plc was born in London. In 1992 HSBC took over Midland Bank, becoming one of the largest domestic banks in the UK.
The company has offices, branches and subsidiaries in 64 countries and territories across Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America and South America, serving approximately 40 million customers.
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What Are HSBC Grad Schemes and Internships?
HSBC is looking for a diverse range of forward-thinking and driven students to lead the bank’s future. HSBC wants to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to a variety of key global business functions.
To attract the right candidates, HSBC offers 26 global internships and grad schemes in the following areas across multiple markets:
Commercial Banking
- HSBC commercial banking graduate scheme
- HSBC finance graduate scheme
Global Banking and Markets
- HSBC corporate banking graduate scheme
- HSBC global banking graduate scheme
Wealth and Personal Banking
- HSBC investment banking graduate scheme
- HSBC asset management graduate scheme
Digital Business Services
- HSBC technology graduate scheme
- HSBC HR graduate scheme
- HSBC operations graduate scheme
Who Is Eligible to Apply for HSBC Grad Schemes and Internships?
HSBC welcomes applications from students and graduates with any degree, from any background and any age.
HSBC wants talented people with different experiences and views of the world. The bank is looking for diverse people across the world, as well as candidates with neurological and physical differences.
HSBC Graduate Scheme Requirements
HSBC grad schemes require all candidates to meet minimum academic requirements. Below are some examples – taken directly from HSBC’s Careers FAQs:
- Canada – Bachelor's degree with a 3.2 cumulative GPA or equivalent degree
- Mainland China – 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA for students studying in mainland China or a 2.1 or equivalent degree if you are studying outside of mainland China
- Hong Kong – 3.2/4.0 or 4.0/5.0 cumulative GPA from a recognised university. For a recognised university that does not follow the GPA system then a 2.1, or equivalent degree
- Qatar – Bachelor’s degree with GPA 2.8/4.0, or Higher diploma, or equivalent degree
- Singapore – Upper second-class honours degree, 3.2/4.0 or 4.0/5.0 GPA, or equivalent degree
- United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Bachelor’s degree with GPA 2.8/4.0, or Higher diploma, or equivalent degree
- UK – Upper second-class honours degree or equivalent degree
- US – Candidates must have a cumulative 3.2 GPA or above, or equivalent degree
Who Are the HSBC Grad Schemes and Internships Aimed At?
HSBC Graduate Schemes
HSBC’s global grad schemes are for final-year students, recent graduates and post-graduates. They tend to run for one to two years.
The aim of grad schemes is to challenge and provide a level of skills and experience that advances careers following study.
HSBC Internships
HSBC global internships are primarily for students in their penultimate year of undergraduate study. They usually run for eight to 12 weeks.
The aim of internships is to provide students with first-hand experience of what it is like to work for a global bank. They serve up opportunities to meet senior leaders and learn about key functions that are of interest.
The training and development throughout internships are designed to prepare students to continue on to apply for HSBC’s grad schemes.
What Do You Learn on HSBC Grad Schemes and Internships?
There is a variety of incredible opportunities within the HSBC grad schemes:
- Global Grad Induction – An event that helps graduates align their personal experience with HSBC’s values.
- Accelerating Your Strengths – A strength-based development scheme that consists of an initial self-evaluation assessment, along with a 90-day plan, personal development plan and annual 360 reviews.
- International Innovations Graduate Project – A project across multiple business areas where teams work to provide inventive solutions for challenges faced by the bank and present ideas to leadership.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – Initiatives to align graduates with HSBC’s sustainability strategy, enhance collaboration and develop new skills and leadership experience.
- Grad CAN (Climate Action Network) – Joins graduates across the globe who are passionate about driving HSBC’s sustainability strategy.
- Professional qualifications opportunities and continued professional development.
Find out more about the above initiatives on the HSBC website.
HSBC Benefits
HSBC offers competitive pay and benefits to support placement in both grad schemes and internships.
The packages can vary according to your role and location but may include:
- Fixed pay
- Annual leave
- Flexible working
- Personal benefits, for example, insurance and savings, health and pension
- Employee share plans
- Discretionary pay awards based on annual performance reviews aligned to HSBC’s financial objectives and core values
- Wellbeing and mindfulness support
- Mentorship and buddy systems
- HSBC University where you can access thousands of live and digital courses
- Technical and business aligned training
- Access to voluntary employee-led groups for networking and support across the business
- Internal development opportunities tailored to skills, experience and ambitions
HSBC Graduate Scheme Salary and Internship Salary
Salaries vary across various roles and locations. However, as a guide, below are the average salaries:
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How to Apply for an HSBC Grad Scheme or Internship
HSBC’s application processes vary according to roles and locations. There are typically several steps involved as outlined below.
Step 1. Find a Role That Interests You at HSBC Bank
Go onto the HSBC careers website and find a role you wish to apply for.
Step 2. Submit Your CV and Application
Once you find a role to apply for, you will need to follow HSBC’s application process. This includes uploading a CV but may also include a traditional application form. The process takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
How to Prepare Your CV for Success:
For some helpful tips on how to write a CV and more, take a look at the Psychometric Success applications page.
Your CV is so important in HSBC’s application process because it is the first chance you get to share your skills, achievements, qualities and experience.
Through your CV alone, HSBC can determine not only if you are the right fit for the role in question but also if there are other roles you can be considered for.
Helpful Tips for Writing a CV:
- Update your contact details
- Begin your CV with a short summary of your skills, achievements and career ambitions
- Follow this with your employment history
- Include your employers’ details, dates of employment, job titles and responsibilities
- Provide examples of your skills and achievements
- Give details of the university, college or schools you have attended, along with qualifications, grades and any other courses taken
- List any hobbies or interests you have
- Your CV should be no more than two pages long
Once you’ve completed this, if eligible, HSBC will email with the next steps.
Step 3. Take the HSBC Graduate Scheme Online Immersive Assessment
If your application meets the requirements, HSBC will send you a link to complete the Online Immersive Assessment.
During this you will watch a film about working at HSBC. You will also answer questions that demonstrate your behavioural and cognitive skills.
These are intended to assess your suitability for working at HSBC. It also provides a great chance for you to learn more about HSBC and the bank’s values.
The assessments may vary, depending on the role. They typically take 60 to 90 minutes. You can take the assessments at any time within a set number of days of receiving the email.
Top Tips:
As part of your application with HSBC, you will be invited to register with the Candidate Preparation Portal which provides you with a suite of supportive materials for each stage.
You will have access to practice assessments as well as advice from recently hired graduates.
- Use a laptop with a strong internet connection
- Read instructions and listen carefully where necessary
- Have a pen, paper and calculator to hand
- Ensure you are somewhere quiet and have the time to really pay attention
- Complete HSBC’s practice questions in advance
Whether you progress or not to the next stage, everyone gets personalised feedback after the assessments.
Step 4. Job Simulation
If you pass the Online Immersive Assessment, you will be asked to analyse data and provide answers through a job simulation.
The purpose of this is to look closer into the business area you wish to work in.
What to Expect During a Job Simulation:
You will watch a video with a mix of questions built in about realistic ‘on-the-job’ situations. Some you will record a video answer to, while others will require a written response.
It takes approximately 35 minutes to complete, so make sure you have a practice run. HSBC allows you to do this as many times as you like.
Some business areas may ask candidates to also complete a short technical exercise.
Top Tips:
- Practise using the resources HSBC provides
- Have a laptop or tablet with a webcam, audio and a strong internet connection
- Go somewhere quiet where you have no distractions
- Dress smartly, exactly as you would for a face-to-face interview
- Do your research about your chosen business area
- There are no right or wrong answers, so just be yourself and stay positive
Once you’ve completed this, HSBC will contact you to let you know whether you have made it through to the next stage.
Step 5. Virtual Experience Day
The final stage is the Virtual Experience Day where you will virtually meet HSBC employees and can learn even more about working at HSBC.
You will be asked to complete several small exercises online and complete two interviews. One is a strengths-based interview and the other is a motivational and technical interview.
The purpose of these exercises and interviews is to demonstrate if you are the right fit for HSBC.
Top Tips:
- To support your preparation for the final stage assessment, think about why you want to work at HSBC
- Think about the times where you’ve truly been successful and your biggest achievements
- Familiarise yourself with the HSBC values
- Practise using the resources HSBC provides
- Listen carefully to what you are being asked
If you are successful at the Virtual Experience Day/Assessment Centre, HSBC will contact you with the next steps.
Useful Links
- For some helpful tips on how to write a CV and more, take a look at the Psychometric Success applications page
- Practise for your graduate job assessment tests with JobTestPrep
- Read more on HSBC’s history on the HSBC website
- Understand HSBC’s values
- HSBC careers website
- Find out about HSBC benefits.
- HSBC grad scheme and internship scheme highlights
- Take a look at HSBC’s own hints and tips for its applications.
- Use this helpful guide from HSBC to prepare for the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
'HSBC' stands for the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited.
HSBC is constantly looking for a diverse range of forward-thinking and driven students and graduates to lead the future. The bank wants people with fresh perspectives to bring their knowledge and ideas to a variety of global business functions.
To attract the right candidates, HSBC offers 26 global internships and grad schemes in multiple business areas.
HSBC’s global grad schemes are for final-year students, recent graduates and post-graduates. They tend to run for one to two years.
HSBC global internships are primarily for students in their penultimate year of undergraduate study. They usually run for eight to 12 weeks.
HSBC prides itself on recruiting for the future. The bank welcomes applications from students and graduates with any degree, from any background and any age.
While the application process is very accessible, it does require steady and detailed preparation. You will also need sufficient equipment including a laptop and a strong internet connection, as well as the time to conduct the end-to-end application itself. As a result, with all of this combined it may not be considered an easy process by all.
HSBC offers 26 global internships and grad schemes in multiple markets including Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, Wealth and Personal Banking, as well as Digital Business Services.
In 2022 over 600 people were recruited for HSBC’s internship scheme and over 800 people for HSBC’s grad scheme.
With competitive pay and benefits, along with many global opportunities across a variety of business functions, if banking is where you see your future then definitely it is worth getting into the HSBC grad scheme.
Not only will you learn an extensive amount, but there is also great potential for personal growth and progression. This scheme could certainly set you up for a bright future.
Many grad schemes end with an offer of a permanent role. An employer will get to know you and your suitability for the business over the course of the scheme.
If you are a good fit and you've progressed well, you may be offered a contract. This is subject to location, role and positions available.
HSBC requires all candidates to meet minimum academic requirements for grad schemes, but these vary depending on the country you are applying to. In the UK, you will need an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent degree. In the US, candidates must have a cumulative 3.2 GPA or above, or equivalent degree.
There are no set answers to this, as the process varies depending on roles and locations. However, according to previous graduates, it can take up to 40 days.
To excel in your HSBC assessment test, focus on thorough preparation. JobTestPrep offers some great options for preparation and practice.
Understand HSBC's values, culture, and business operations. Familiarize yourself with common banking concepts, financial literacy and industry trends. Review situational judgment scenarios to showcase problem-solving skills. Sharpen numerical and analytical abilities for data interpretation tasks. Practice time management and simulate test conditions. Leverage online resources, official study materials and mock tests. Seek feedback to improve. Emphasize clear communication and attention to detail. Stay confident, composed and adaptable during the assessment. Remember, preparation and a positive mindset are key to success.
There is no age limit for the HSBC grad scheme.
Salaries vary across various roles and locations; however, you may discreetly discuss this with the hiring manager subject to your experience and education.
Final Thoughts
HSBC is a top player in the banking world, and therefore a name that many want to work with. While there are great opportunities available for graduates, there are many strong candidates applying for these positions. Therefore, it is essential to prepare yourself with knowledge of the HSBC hiring process and requirements to increase your chances of attaining a position within the scheme.
In this article, you have explored the HSBC grad schemes and internships recruitment process and opportunities, the application and interview process and tips for success. By familiarising yourself with all of this, you can improve your chances of securing a future at HSBC.
If you are interested in pursuing a career with HSBC, take the time to research the bank, key business areas and the roles available. It is important to understand the time and commitment needed from you to be successful in the application process.
Use the tips provided in this article and the resources HSBC shares to prepare for the hiring process.
Good luck!
