Graduates - Application Process
Checked out the opportunities? Decided which is right for you? Then it's time to apply. Here's where you can find out exactly what's involved.
Ready to start building your future?
If you share the vision, are always looking to learn new things and are keen to push the business forward, Lloyds Banking Group wants to hear from you.
The biggest tip: just be yourself. We are not interested in perfectly performed answers. We want to hear about what makes you tick and why you believe the scheme you've chosen is the one for you.
Are you eligible and when’s the closing date?
Lloyds Banking Group wants to hear from people of all backgrounds and has created a recruitment process that gives everyone the chance to shine.
You must hold or be on track to obtain a degree, ideally a 2:2 or above. We recommend reviewing the programme details and application process carefully, as specific skills may be assessed during the selection process.
Some schemes close early due to high volumes of applications, so it's best to apply as soon as possible.
If you need extra support...
Just let us know. Diversity, equity and inclusion are valued, and people are recruited based on their skills and what they can bring to the Group, rather than their experience.
Career development of people with neurodiverse conditions is fully supported, including but not limited to Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dyspraxia
Graduate schemes application process (Excluding Data Science and AI, Software Engineer and Cyber Security Engineer)
Fill out the application form
Once the placement that's right for you has been found, click the apply button and register by completing a form with some details about yourself. A CV or covering letter is not required, and there's no sole reliance on past experiences. During all stages, the focus is on how you share the values and demonstrate your potential.
Complete the online assessment
This gives insight into the Group and how we support customers and communities. It should take around 60 minutes. A quiet spot free from distractions, plus a pen, paper and calculator, are recommended.
Accessibility features of the online assessment include closed captions on all audio content, question text displayed at a minimum size of 14px, keyboard navigation, and the ability to zoom in and out of content on screen. A feedback report is received within a few days of completing the assessment.
If successful at the Online Assessment stage, candidates are invited to complete the Job Insight Assessment, providing insight into the role applied for and the chance to experience some of the activities required if successful.
Multiple scenarios with questions explore how you would respond, alongside data for analysis and interpretation. Responses include video, written and preference indications, with time-limited or time-recorded questions.
If successful, candidates are invited to the final stage and asked to book onto an assessment centre, conducted either virtually or in person depending on the programme applied for. Reasonable travel expenses are covered for in-person events.
The final stage is the assessment centre. Pre-work is required, with full details provided well in advance.
On the day, candidates are assessed through a series of exercises including a one-to-one interview, a group exercise and individual assessments relating to the pre-work completed. Candidates also get to learn more about the culture and talk with current graduates.
For virtual assessment centres, access to a laptop or tablet with a good internet connection is needed. Support with laptop access within an office, plus travel expenses, is available where needed.
Applying to one of our Data & Technology graduate schemes
Applying to the Data Science and AI, Cyber Security Engineer or Software Engineer schemes follows a slightly different process.
The biggest tip remains the same: just be yourself.
Are you eligible?
Cyber Security Engineer
You’ll need an interest in cloud technologies and cyber security, alongside foundational coding skills in languages such as Python, JavaScript or TypeScript. An understanding of modern engineering practices, including cloud platforms, infrastructure as code and CI/CD pipelines, would be beneficial.
You should enjoy solving problems, automating processes, thinking analytically and adapting to new technologies in a fast-changing environment.
Data Science and AI
Knowledge of analytical techniques and experience manipulating and deriving insight from data is a benefit. Python coding experience, knowledge of SQL and statistical modelling techniques are beneficial but not essential.
Software Engineer
Some coding knowledge alongside a love of technology and a strong desire to learn is needed.
A computer science or related degree isn't essential, but understanding of at least one current programming language or framework (such as JavaScript, Java, C# or Python) is required.
Data Science and AI, Software Engineer and Cyber Security Graduate Schemes Application Process
Fill out the application form: A CV or covering letter is not required.
Software Engineer and Cyber Security Engineer Schemes
Candidates will complete a series of tasks designed to assess a broad range of technical and analytical skills. The total time allocated for this assessment is 130 minutes.
You'll be asked to complete tasks that cover the following areas:
- API Development & Data Handling: You'll implement an API endpoint that validates structured input and safely handles JSON data. This task assesses your ability to work with web technologies and manage data securely. Available languages: C++ 17, Dart, Go, Java 17, JavaScript, Kotlin, Python, Ruby, Rust, TypeScript
- Transactional Data Management: This task explores your understanding of transactional systems, including operations like commit, rollback, and nested transactions, within a key-value store context. Available languages: Go, Java, JavaScript, Python
- Graph-Based Problem Solving: You'll work on a graph-based challenge that involves analysing the connections between points in a network and reasoning efficiently about distances and reachability. Available languages: C, C++, C#, Dart, Go, Java 11, Java 21, JavaScript, Kotlin, Lua, Objective-C, Pascal, Perl, PHP, Python, Ruby, Scala, Swift, TypeScript, Visual Basic
Data Science & AI Scheme
Candidates will complete a series of tasks designed to assess a broad range of analytical, technical, and conceptual skills. The total time allocated for this assessment is 120 minutes.
You'll be asked to complete tasks that cover the following areas:
- SQL Querying: You'll write queries to explore and combine data across related tables, using techniques such as joins, filtering, and multi-step logic. This task assesses your ability to work with relational databases and extract meaningful insights from structured data. Languages: PostgreSQL, SQLite
- Statistical Reasoning with Code: You'll apply statistical tests to a real-world data set, using Python to implement your solution. This task combines analytical thinking with coding skills.
- AI Awareness & Responsible Use: Multiple-choice questions will assess your understanding of artificial intelligence and its responsible use in real-world technical scenarios, including how modern AI systems are built and applied.
- Data Science & Machine Learning Knowledge: Multiple-choice questions will test your knowledge across a range of data science domains, including machine learning concepts, algorithms, and terminology.
If successful at the Online Assessment stage, candidates are invited to complete the Job Insight Assessment, providing insight into the role applied for.
Multiple scenarios with several questions explore how candidates would respond, alongside data for analysis and interpretation.
The assessment includes video response, written response, and preference indication questions, time-limited or time-recorded.
The final stage is the assessment centre. Pre-work is required, with full details provided well in advance. On the day, candidates are assessed through a one-to-one interview, a group exercise, a technical exercise and individual assessments relating to the pre-work completed.
For virtual assessment centres, access to a laptop or tablet with a good internet connection is needed, with support available for those without home access, including travel expense cover for office visits.
When’s the closing date?
If a high volume of applications is received, the opportunity may close early, potentially before the published closing date. It's best to apply as soon as possible. Both the application form and online assessment need to be completed before the closing date for consideration.
Using AI in the right way to support your application
AI can support you along the way with your job search and application, but we’re focused on potential, purpose and people ready to make an impact. Here are some practical tips to help you use AI in a thoughtful and responsible way.
How we use AI for recruitment
We use AI to make recruitment simpler, fairer and faster, while keeping people at the heart. It helps us review applications, reduce admin and match skills to opportunities. AI supports our decisions, it doesn’t make them.
Fairness, transparency and trust
We use AI responsibly, with human oversight at every stage. Our tools are tested for fairness, we’re open about how they’re used, and people are always accountable. Human judgement always comes first.
Everyone involved in recruitment is trained to use AI responsibly, understanding its limits, reducing bias, and supporting fair, consistent outcomes.
Supporting inclusive recruitment
Our use of AI helps create a more consistent, skills-focused and inclusive experience. It supports fairer assessments and reduces bias, but it never replaces people.
Useful tips
Lloyds Banking Group wants to understand your interest in the industry and what has motivated you to apply, alongside examples of relevant experiences, skills, and behaviours that demonstrate your potential.
Natural skills should be clearly communicated, with assessment days looking at how candidates perform across various exercises, individually and within a group.
Accessibility requirements or other help to complete any stage of the process can be discussed by emailing lloydsbankinggrouptalent@peoplescout.co.uk or calling 0345 330 4576.
Head to our Assessment Practice Zone for a preview of the kind of assessments you could be asked to complete. You’ll also find hints and tips on how to best prepare.
Explore all of our graduate schemes
Graduate schemes to help you grow, lead, and make an impact. Your future’s here, raring to go.