NatWest Group is a leading UK-based bank, serving over 19 million customers across retail, commercial, and private banking sectors. With well-known brands like NatWest, RBS, and Coutts, it offers excellent career opportunities for aspiring students.
However, their summer internship and graduate scheme are highly competitive, with rigorous selection processes. For successful candidates, these programmes provide a strong foundation for a long-term career in banking.
The NatWest Summer Internship is a 10-week programme aimed at penultimate-year students looking to kickstart their careers in banking. The internship provides a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the day-to-day operations of a leading financial institution. You will gain exposure to various aspects of banking, from practical knowledge and technical market skills to business improvement projects that allows you to apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios.
During the internship, you will not only learn about the bank's products and services but will also immerse yourself in the company culture and its values. This exposure allow you to understand how NatWest serves its diverse customer base and how it strives to innovate and lead in the financial sector.
You will enjoy a pro-rated salary of £45,000, competitive compensation reflecting the responsibility and experience you will gain. Upon completion of the internship, you may be offered a place on the NatWest Markets graduate scheme, marking the beginning of a more permanent role within the organisation.
Internship activities include:
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Bundles: Summer Internship | Spring Week | MBB - Big 3 | Big 4
The NatWest Graduate Scheme is designed for people who have recently graduated or are in their final year of study. The programme offers a range of opportunities across various business sectors, including Commercial Banking, Data Analytics, Digital Transformation, Risk, and more. Unlike the summer internship, which is typically limited to penultimate-year students, the graduate scheme is open to those who have completed their studies and are looking to launch their careers in a dynamic financial services environment.
Graduates joining NatWest will experience a tailored, rotational programme, allowing them to work across different business areas. This broad exposure helps participants develop a comprehensive understanding of the bank's operations and prepares them for leadership roles. The NatWest graduate scheme is ideal for those looking to fast-track their careers while making significant contributions to a high-profile organisation.
The programme includes:
The NatWest Application Process for both the Summer Internship and Graduate Scheme is thorough and involves several key stages designed to assess your skills, experience, and suitability for the programme. Understanding the application process and preparing in advance is crucial to maximising your chances of success.
Throughout the application process, it's important to remain focused and authentic. Highlight your academic achievements, practical experiences, and personal qualities that align with NatWest’s values.
The NatWest Assessment Tests, provided by SHL, are an integral part of the NatWest application process and are designed to evaluate your reasoning and judgment abilities. These tests measure how well you can process information, solve problems, and make effective decisions.
This test evaluates how well you can respond to work-related challenges. You will be given 14 scenarios based on real-world situations in the banking sector, and for each, you must assess various statements, determining their effectiveness. The goal is to demonstrate how well you align with NatWest's values and how effectively you can approach challenges.
You've been working in the same place for the past three years and have managed to work your way up. Lately, you have been feeling you have reached your potential in the company, so you pursue options for advancing your career in other companies. You are now in negotiations for a new position.
Rumours are, you are leaving have spread in your workplace.
Since the rumour is out, confirm your intention to anyone who asks if you are in the midst of negotiations for a new position.
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Ideally, you probably wouldn't have informed your workplace about your likely resignation until you were hired for the new position. However, the circumstances of this scenario are different, since word has gotten out. This item examines how you manage these rumours and maintain your work relationships despite potential conflict.
Response #1 demonstrates conscientiousness, as you are honest with your work colleagues. However, it reveals your inability to work under management, as you do not inform your superiors first about your probable resignation.
This test assesses your analytical skills and numerical abilities. It includes 24 questions that require you to interpret information, analyse data, identify patterns, perform calculations, and draw conclusions. The test is interactive, allowing you to engage with the questions more dynamically, and it lasts for 36 minutes.
Pretty similarly to question #3 in this guide – this one is a classic case of systems of equations used to find several variables.
In this case, we have 6 variables – let’s arrange them in a table for convenience:
Variable | Region | Method |
NR | Northern | Referrals |
NC | Northern | Cold Calls |
NI | Northern | Client-Initiated |
SR | Southern | Referrals |
SC | Southern | Cold Calls |
SI | Southern | Client-Initiated |
Note: This table is for the sake of explanation only. During the real test, don’t spend time arranging it, and simply name the variables as is most convenient for you.
Out of the 4 data items, the first and last ones on the list are the best place to start, as they can immediately reveal the number of clients in each method.
Let’s dismantle these pieces of data to their components:
A total of 540 new clients were acquired this year
Referrals accounted for 1/3 of all new clients
Therefore, Cold Calls and Client-Initiated account for the remaining 2 thirds of new clients:
Cold Calls + Client-Initiated = 540 - 180 = 360
Using the last bit of information - Cold Calls accounted for twice as many as Client-Initiated:
2 (Client-Initiated) + Client-Initiated = 360
Client-Initiated = 120 Clients
Cold Calls = 240 Clients
So, we can now rearrange the graph as:
Tip: The pale grey line above the graph means that you are able to change the value below the line. In this case, the total value of all bars can be changed, but the division of Client Initiated between Northern (60%) and Southern (40%) is pre-determined.
Now, let’s form some other equations using the other data items.
We should try and focus on data items containing the least variables. Data item 2 is the best for this purpose:
The Northern region produced 40% more Referrals than the Southern region.
Or in the form of an equation:
(I) NR = 1.4 x SR
We already know the total number of referrals:
(II) NR + SR = 180
Plugging (I) into (II):
2.4 x SR = 180
SR = 75
NR = 105
Converting to percentages (Don’t forget that!):
And again, we can rearrange the graphs as:
It is time to approach the last piece of information – data item 2:
The Southern region produced 84 more clients through cold calls than those that were Client Initiated.
Or in the shape of an equation:
SC = SI + 84
Since we already know the percentages in the Client-Initiated bar, we can easily deduce SI:
SI = 0.4 x 120 = 48
Plugging into the previous equation:
SC = 48 + 84 = 132
Again, converting into percentages:
And rearranging the graph to its final position:
The pre-recorded video interview is an essential stage in the NatWest application process. During this interview, you will be asked to record your responses to 6 questions that aim to assess your motivation for joining NatWest and your potential to succeed in the programme.
Each question will be displayed on the screen, accompanied by a recording of one of NatWest's colleagues asking the question. This gives you time to read and understand the question before recording your response.
The questions typically cover topics like your personal experiences, how you handle specific situations, and your understanding of NatWest's values. You might be asked to provide examples of how you've dealt with challenges or worked as part of a team. Some questions may present hypothetical scenarios, requiring you to explain how you would approach a given situation. To succeed in this interview, it’s important to prepare well-structured answers, ideally using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to showcase your experiences in detail. This stage allows NatWest to evaluate your communication skills, enthusiasm, and cultural fit for the organisation.
Here are some additional tips for success in securing a place in the NatWest Summer Internship or Graduate Scheme:
Stay Confident and Positive: Confidence is key, especially in interviews and assessment centres. Be positive, stay calm, and trust in your abilities. Your passion and enthusiasm will make a strong impression.
The NatWest Summer Internship is a 10-week programme designed for penultimate-year students, offering them a comprehensive introduction to the banking industry. As an intern, you will gain hands-on experience by participating in workshops, business improvement projects, and working alongside industry experts. You will learn about NatWest’s products, services, culture, and values, and have the chance to build a professional network. At the end of the internship, you may be offered a place in NatWest’s graduate programme.
The NatWest Graduate Programme is a development scheme for recent graduates that provides an opportunity to gain exposure to various business areas within NatWest. As a graduate, you will be given the chance to rotate across different departments, develop leadership skills, and gain industry-specific knowledge. The programme helps you fast-track your career by offering training, mentorship, and real-world experience while contributing to the business's growth.
To be eligible for the NatWest Summer Internship, you must be in your penultimate year of university.
Yes, you can apply if you plan to pursue a master's degree after completing your undergraduate degree.
No, NatWest’s internship programmes are only open to penultimate-year students.
While the exact salary for graduates can vary depending on the role and location, the NatWest Graduate Programme offers competitive compensation. The wage for graduates typically starts at around £35,000 per year, with potential for growth as they progress through the programme. Interns on the summer internship are paid £45,000 pro rata for the duration of their 10-week internship.
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