Graduate Review

Item: Graduate at Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Rating: 3.2
Author: Anonymous

at Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)

Graduate Scheme

Government

London

Review Submitted: July 2026

Overall Rating

3.2 /5

The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!

3.8/5 - Overview of the Role

3.2/5 - Experience & Company Culture

1/5 - Recommendations & Advice

Overview of the Role

Overall, how would you describe your experience at Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)?

I have been at the FCA since September 2025 (it is currently July 2026). I am on the Supervision, Policy and Competition grad scheme. The grad scheme is 4 x 6-month rotations. I have been in two teams so far. Overall, the FCA seems to be a good place to work and they generally treat their staff well. However, it varies wildly between teams the culture, my first team I had a great experience and my second and current team has been the opposite.

What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?

There has been opportunity for in-depth and research work, which I like. There is also lots of admin work which is given to grads, which is not as enjoyable - however again the work and type of work varies dramatically in different teams, as well as how much responsibility you are given and how much you are valued.

To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?

3/5

I felt this was a 5/5 for my first team, but a 1/5 for my current team. So it is difficult to say FCA-wide what I rate for this.

How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?

5/5

The compensation package is very good, and the work-life balance is also very good. There is no expectation to work outside 9-5. Bupa healthcare is a big benefit, and there is also a good hybrid policy - 40%, however this is going up to 50% in September 2026.

How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?

4/5

I feel I am learning a lot, even in my bad experiences, about what I want and don't want in my career.

How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?

3/5

Again, difficult to say as my old team I felt I was learning a lot, but in my current team I don't feel that. Formal training and skills building at the FCA is very good however, and you can sign up to company-wide training schemes. This was encouraged in my old team but in my current team management has not allowed me to engage so much in company-wide trainings.

Experience & Company Culture

How is the support you receive?

2/5

Again - my old team was very good. My current team is very bad. It is difficult as I think I have needed more support from Early Careers when I have been struggling in my current team than I have been able to get. Being a grad you don't really 'belong' to any one area in particular, so sometimes I get the impression no one is there to speak to when I have concerns and problems.

How is your work-life balance?

5/5

Work life balance is very good. You are not expected to work outside 9-5.

What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?

3/5

Varies dramatically team by team.

How would you rate Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?

3/5

There are networks for lots of equality groups, which lobby the organisation to do better company-wide.

How would you rate Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?

3/5

I am not really sure what these are.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to a friend?

Yes

Why?

Overall, I would rate FCA to a friend. I would caveat this by saying the culture varies dramatically team by team, so if you find a good team and department I would absolutely recommend it.

How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?

1/5

The recruitment process was very gruelling and demanding, and I don't think it matches how the graduate experience is here. We were expected to know a lot and have lots of specialist knowledge in the recruitment, having to go through several stages. But when we got here, the grads are not expected to know anything - so there's a big mismatch there.