FAQs

You have the option of being based in our London or Darlington office when you start with us. You’ll be asked to specify which of these office locations you would like to be based at when you submit your application. Your location will not limit the types of work which you could do on the programme.

The application window opens in October 2024 and will remain open until 12pm on 15 November 2024. Candidates should fill in the online application form completing all necessary information. Once submitted, those eligible will be invited to complete the Situational Judgement Test. Those that pass the Situational Judgement Test will be asked to complete a Strengths Test. Those that pass these assessments will be progressed to the timed written questions. Following this, successful candidates will be invited to one of our virtual assessment centres which will take place in January and February 2024. 

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please call us on 0845 301 7999, or email us at [email protected]

We will update candidates on the outcome within a week of when our assessment centres finish, at the latest. This will be in late February.

Yes, we welcome your application. As long as you have a 2:2, it does not matter how long it has been since you finished your degree.

We do not have a separate programme for those with postgraduate qualifications but we encourage you to apply to our graduate scheme. The Policy Adviser role will allow you to use the research, analysis and communication skills developed in your postgraduate study.

As you progress your career, HM Treasury values the building of expertise in particular areas of policy, such as tax and economics. This is supported by professional training programmes and additional pay allowances.

You can express an interest in an area you’d like to work in for your initial placement, but we match roles to successful candidates depending on graduates’ skills, background and the needs of HM Treasury. If you’re a successful candidate, you will be contacted during the onboarding process to provide any preferences. 

No. HM Treasury requires a minimum 2.2 in your undergraduate degree in order to accept your application.

No. HM Treasury requires candidates to have an undergraduate degree with a classification of 2:2 or higher (or equivalent) in order to accept your application.

All staff need security clearance to be able to work in HM Treasury and job offers are conditional on this. We’ll do an initial screen soon after you apply but before invitations are issued for the assessment centre, to assess whether you are likely to be eligible for security clearance. This is based on information about your nationality and where you have been living during the last five years. If you are successful and accept a job offer, you will be asked to complete an online form so that the full security clearance process can be carried out. You’ll receive more information about the process at this point.

If you already know you aren’t available for work in September 2025, we recommend you wait to apply until next year.

If you apply successfully and there’s been a change to your circumstances that means you’re unable to start in September 2025, you can contact the HM Treasury recruitment team to discuss the possibility of deferring your start date.  

Deferrals will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed, with any deferral being for a maximum of 12 months from when you indicated you could start on your application form. Where we do offer deferrals to 2026, the deferred job offer is provisional until we have confirmed approval for 2026 recruitment numbers. 

Yes. During your application, you will have the opportunity to mention any disabilities you have and any adjustments you require. HM Treasury will take this into account and make whatever adjustments we can during the application process and assessment centre.

If you would like to talk about adjustments, please call us on 0845 301 7999, or email us at [email protected]

Unfortunately not. We can only accept one application per year so please choose just one location.  If you do apply twice , we will only progress with your first application.

We are not part of the Civil Service Fast Stream, so you need to apply to us directly via this website.

These are the main differences between HM Treasury’s graduate scheme, the Fast Stream, and the Government Economic Service:

The Fast Stream is Civil Service wide, whereas our Graduate Programme is HM Treasury specific, so you know that you will be based in a particular department and location.

At HM Treasury, our scheme is policy focused and our policy advisers will have two 18 month placements allowing them to develop expertise in particular areas of policy. The Fast Stream generally offers 12 month placements.

The analytical strands of the Fast Stream (including the Government Economic Service and Government Statistical Service) are restricted to graduates with specific degrees such as Economics and Statistics. HM Treasury is seeking applications from candidates from a range of disciplines.

Yes. If you’re successful, you will join HM Treasury on a permanent contract. Following successful completion of your 6 month probation period, you will be a permanent staff member and Civil Servant. At the end of the three year graduate programme, you’ll be able to apply for roles internally within HM Treasury, but you will remain a permanent member of staff.

Everyone’s career path after the programme is different. Typically, Policy Advisers will have completed two to three 18-month posts in HM Treasury and undertaken the required learning and development programme prior to promotion. The majority of staff completing our graduate programme gain promotion to Senior Policy Adviser (Grade 7) level within 6 months of completing the programme. Promotions will depend on your ability to demonstrate that you meet the required criteria and on job availability.

There are secondment opportunities available for HM Treasury staff in other government departments, public and private sectors and international organisations. Secondments are not organised for you as part of the graduate programme, but you can apply for any that you are interested in on completion of the programme.

Policy Advisers can expect excellent line management by managers who are more experienced policy professionals and have received specific training in managing new graduates. They will offer coaching, mentoring and career support to help you achieve your full potential and develop the skills required in a professional policy role.

Alongside their immediate line manager, Policy Advisers will have access to various other senior managers and leaders who will provide them with mentoring and support.

The graduate training programme consists of a mixture of structured and on the job learning with support from your line manager and wider Treasury colleagues. During your first 18 month posting, you’ll gain a foundation in the core skills for policy making in HM Treasury, including economics, fiscal policy and working with ministers.

To help support your career progression within the Treasury, you’ll then move into your second 18 month post through a centrally co-ordinated process. This post aims to help you learn and gain more experience in another part of the Treasury,  deepen your knowledge and skills in a specialist area and gain leadership knowledge. Learning in your second 18 month post will focus on leadership and management to prepare you for roles at a higher level.

Yes. Every new entrant to the Civil Service has to complete a probation period prior to being made a permanent member of staff. The probation period in HM Treasury is 6 months.

Yes. You’ll start and go through your learning and development programme as members of a cohort. Early networking with your colleagues will be supported and encouraged.

Successful hires will join HM Treasury in September 2025.

We expect to confirm a start date in early Spring 2025.

We don’t currently offer HM Treasury specific internships, but we take part in three Civil Service wide internship schemes.

Students should consider applying to the Civil Service Fast Stream’s Summer Internship Programme, or the Government Economic Service’s Summer Scheme. You can find out more about eligibility criteria on their web pages.

The Government Economic Service also offers a Sandwich Student Placement Scheme, aimed at economics students who are considering a career in the GES after graduation. The placements generally last for 12 months.

We do not accept CVs for this recruitment. Candidates need to apply online.

The Civil Service Jobs website lists job opportunities in HM Treasury and in other Civil Service departments. If you create an account, you’ll be able to set up an email alert for the type of jobs you are interested in.