HSBC graduate scheme interview guide

How HSBC hires graduates: a short application form, online assessments with video answers, and an assessment centre that is usually virtual.

About HSBC

Founded in 1865, HSBC calls itself "one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations".¹ In the UK it has "around 34,700 people" across retail, private, commercial and investment banking, plus operational and support functions.²

Since 1 January 2025 the group has run four businesses: Hong Kong, UK, Corporate and Institutional Banking, and International Wealth and Premier Banking. The UK business takes in Retail Banking and Wealth, including first direct and M&S Bank, and UK Commercial Banking, including HSBC Innovation Bank. It brought in $12.9bn of revenue in 2025.¹

HSBC's graduate programmes last 1-2 years and are open to final-year students and recent graduates, with the UK among the locations.³ It welcomes students from every degree discipline, and says "Over 60 per cent of the students that join us don't have a background in finance".⁴

The interview process

HSBC's application guide sets out three stages, designed to assess "behavioural and cognitive skills".⁵

1. Application form10-15 min

   Eligibility questions, possibly a CV, and optional equal-opportunities questions. "You may need to provide your CV or transcripts but there are no long written questions to complete."⁵

2. Online assessmentAbout 90 min

   Real-life workplace scenarios with "audio or video content, mock emails, data tables and graphs, or written articles", plus short written and video answers. HSBC puts the whole stage at about 90 minutes, with each assessment around 40.⁵ HSBC also says its online assessments "are not timed".⁷

3. Assessment centreUsually 3 hours

   It "usually runs for three hours" and is mostly virtual, though sometimes held in person at an HSBC office. Expect several interviews and exercises with HSBC employees, with breaks in between.⁵

HSBC's video guide to the process, published in August 2024, adds that the online assessment can be one or two stages depending on the market and programme, and that you give "some short video responses so we can get to know you better".⁶

Once you've applied, you get access to HSBC's Candidate Hub. At every stage HSBC emails you a feedback report on how you did, whether or not you go through.⁷ HSBC tells you the outcome of your online assessment "within a couple of days", but says that "creating an interview shortlist can take a couple of weeks or longer."⁸

Before you apply

• One programme per cycle. You can't apply to more than one HSBC programme in the same recruitment cycle, but you can reapply in a later one.⁸
• Entry requirements. Academic requirements vary by programme and location, and each programme description lists its own.⁸
• Visas. Sponsorship depends on the country's legal requirements and business need.⁸
• Adjustments. You can ask for adjustments on the application form or through the local recruitment team, and ask for extra time in any of the interview stages.⁷

What HSBC looks for

HSBC's purpose is "Opening up a world of opportunity", and it has four values:⁹

• We get it done. "Moving at pace and making things happen".⁹
• We value difference. "Seeking out different perspectives".⁹
• We take responsibility. "Holding ourselves accountable and taking the long view".⁹
• We succeed together. "Collaborating across boundaries".⁹

For its graduate programmes, HSBC says it uses "skill-based hiring to look beyond your CV".¹⁰ Its 2024 process video tells candidates to "learn about our values and think about how you can embody them in the online assessments", adding: "one of our values is we value difference. So be yourself and be authentic."⁶

The same video says the assessment centre's interviews and exercises are "designed to enable you to showcase your behavioural skills".⁶

Questions to expect

Practice questions we've written around HSBC's four values and the advice in its process video.

In HSBC's video, a graduate advises not to worry if you don't know the answer to a technical question at the assessment centre: "The interviews are supposed to challenge you".⁶

How to prepare

1. Learn the four values. HSBC suggests thinking about how you can embody its values in the online assessments.⁶ It also helps to have a real example ready for each.
2. Research the business area. HSBC suggests researching HSBC and your chosen business area "so you can clearly explain why you are interested in joining".⁶
3. Set up properly for the online assessment. HSBC recommends a laptop or tablet with a webcam rather than a phone, and a pen, paper and calculator to hand.⁶
4. Bring questions of your own. The graduate in HSBC's video suggests preparing "smart and insightful questions to demonstrate your curiosity and engagement".⁶
5. Use your feedback reports. HSBC sends one after every stage, so read each before the next.⁷
6. Check closing dates. For 2027 starts, UK programmes include Engineering in Sheffield (closes 15 Nov 2026), Cyber in Sheffield (closes 1 Nov 2026), Relationship Management - Commercial Bank in Manchester (closes 18 Oct 2026) and Relationship Management - Private Bank in London (closes 29 Oct 2026).¹¹

Worth mentioning in the interview

• Half-year results to June 2026: profit before tax of $19.5bn, up 23%, on revenue of $37.7bn, up 11%. Group CEO Georges Elhedery said "HSBC is becoming the stronger bank we set out to build."¹²
• The same results noted the completed privatisation of Hang Seng Bank, the completed sale of HSBC's UK life insurance business, and up to $1bn of share buybacks.¹²
• HSBC is targeting "a 17% RoTE or better, excluding notable items, in each year from 2026 to 2028" and aims to be "a simple, more agile, focused bank".¹³

Quick answers

More interview guides

• PwC UK graduate interview guide
• Deloitte UK graduate interview guide
• Goldman Sachs student and graduate interview guide
• Aldi Graduate Area Manager interview guide
• All graduate scheme interview guides

Sources

1. HSBC Holdings plc Annual Report and Accounts 2025HSBC · 25 Feb 2026
2. Careers in the UKHSBC Careers
3. University students and graduatesHSBC Careers
4. Students and graduatesHSBC Careers
5. Application guideHSBC Careers
6. Video transcript: Your guide to HSBC's application processHSBC Careers · 22 Aug 2024
7. Video transcript: HSBC Assessments: Supporting Your ApplicationHSBC Careers
8. FAQsHSBC Careers
9. Purpose, values and strategyHSBC · 24 Aug 2026
10. Graduate programmesHSBC Careers
11. Find a programmeHSBC Careers
12. HSBC Holdings plc Interim Results 2026HSBC · 4 Aug 2026
13. HSBC Holdings plc Annual Results 2025HSBC · 25 Feb 2026

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