SECD Graduate Review
at NatWest Group
Graduate Scheme
Banking
Edinburgh
Review Submitted: September 2026
Overall Rating
4.1 /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!
4.3/5
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Overview of the Role
4/5
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Experience & Company Culture
4/5
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Recommendations & Advice
Overview of the Role
Overall, how would you describe your experience at NatWest Group?
I have enjoyed my experience at NWG. It has been a great place for me to start my career, allowing me to learn and build my skills
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
I mainly worked in Strategy roles, helping to define the future state of banking and write the Bank's strategy. I enjoyed researching new areas of financial services, the role allowed me to gain a breadth of knowledge across regulation, tech developments, banking, and other financial services.
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
4/5
I was never made to feel like the "grad" on the team or given grunt work. I was give meaningful work and enough autonomy to feel like I could make decisions and voice my opinions in discussions on the work
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
3/5
While I was renumerated in-line or above national averages for Graduate Schemes, I feel I was under-paid for the specific work I was doing
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
5/5
The work prepared me well for a role in Banking. I secured a permanent position as a Strategy manager after 21 months on the graduate scheme
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
5/5
There has been extensive opportunities for learning and development as well as on the job training
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
4/5
How is your work-life balance?
3/5
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
4/5
How would you rate NatWest Group initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
4/5
How would you rate NatWest Group CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
5/5
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NatWest Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
NWG has been a great place for me to start my career. I do feel like the people here genuinely want us to succeed
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
4/5
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to NatWest Group?
The recruitment process is very competitive. In 2024, over 8k applicants applied for ~300 roles. There is a lot of value in applying as soon as the applications open
