Goldman Sachs Launches Four-Year Degree Apprenticeships in London, Birmingham Starting Sept 2026

Goldman Sachs is expanding its UK hiring with four-year degree apprenticeships that place salaried students in London and Birmingham while they earn undergraduate degrees. The bank’s programme materials describe three pathways - FICC and Equities, Engineering, and Operations - delivered in partnership with UK universities and designed as a route into front-office and technical roles.

Goldman Sachs’ programme statement sets out the structure in plain terms: “The Goldman Sachs Degree Apprenticeships are four-year programmes for students pursuing an undergraduate degree from Queen Mary University of London or Walbrook Institute London or University of Warwick. We offer three Degree Apprentice Programmes within FICC and Equities, Engineering and Operations.” Apprentices will combine paid work at the firm with study for a bachelor’s degree and may have “the potential opportunity of a full time position with the firm” on graduation.

The Engineering route places apprentices in Goldman Sachs Engineering while they study for a degree in Digital and Technology Solutions at Queen Mary University London or the University of Warwick in Birmingham. The bank’s description highlights hands-on technical learning: apprentices will “learn about new technologies and modern innovators, programming techniques and innovative software design,” and apply academic skills to “ongoing real time software and engineering assignments.” Promotional recruiting copy frames engineering as central to the firm: “Engineering is at the critical center of our businesses... Join our engineering teams that build massively scalable software and systems, architect low latency infrastructure solutions, proactively guard against cyber threats, and leverage machine learning alongside financial engineering to continuously turn data into action.”

The Operations pathway pairs on-the-job roles with a BSc Finance & Investment delivered through the Walbrook Institute London. Apprenticeship materials say participants will “learn about, and contribute to, Operations whilst completing relevant qualifications” and can apply academic learning to day-to-day tasks.

Goldman Sachs’ market-facing pathway appears under the bank’s FICC and Equities banner. Job-copy for sales and trading roles spells out core duties: “We make markets in and clear client transactions on major stock, options and futures exchanges worldwide. Through our global sales force, we maintain relationships with our clients, receiving orders and distributing investment research, trading ideas, market information and analysis.” External reporting on the market apprenticeship indicates a front-office model in which apprentices work on the trading floor while completing an Applied Finance degree, with study delivered in blocks and financial support for fees and relocation, though the bank’s public programme pages do not publish compensation or study logistics in the supplied materials.

Applications are tied to the 2026 undergraduate intake. Goldman Sachs’ materials list a start date of September 2026 and state that applications “will open 1 October 2025.” Separate job listings included in the materials also show “Deadline: 01/09/2026,” creating an unresolved discrepancy on the final deadline and the precise application window.

For employees and recruits, the programmes signal an expanded pipeline into engineering, operations, and front-office roles that bypasses traditional campus recruitment. The model offers paid workplace experience, formal credentials and a pathway to full-time roles, changes likely to alter internal training budgets, junior hiring mixes, and how teams on trading floors and in engineering integrate entry-level talent.

Next steps for prospective applicants and employers include clarifying the official application window, compensation and benefits, and the academic-work split for each pathway. Goldman Sachs’ programme materials provide the outline; the finer points on pay, tuition coverage, and study logistics will determine how competitive and accessible the apprenticeships prove to be.