2026 People & Change Summer Internship - Leeds

We offer you the chance to start your career and make a real difference.
 

Programme Length: 10 weeks (Monday 15 June – Thursday 20 August 2026)
Salary: £22,000 (Leeds, pro rata)

About Us

At the FCA, we regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you'll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth, and shaping the future of UK finance services. We're looking for graduates to join our diverse and highly capable teams across the FCA.  

About the programme

Our People & Change summer internship gives you the opportunity to develop your skills and understanding across a range of corporate and operational functions at the FCA. During your 10-week placement, you'll contribute to key projects supporting our people, systems, and strategy in areas such as change management, HR, corporate governance, and communications.

You'll begin building core capabilities in judgement, engagement, self-management, and delivery. Your work may include supporting project delivery, people strategy initiatives or supporting our strategy. This internship is designed to provide a strong foundation for a career in financial services.

Before you join, we'll share details of your specific placement, ensuring you're matched with teams that will help you build relevant skills and experience.

Successful interns will be offered a place on our graduate scheme in the same location, so please apply for the internship in the city where you'd like to start your graduate career.

Learning & development

Our 10-week programme is designed to equip you with the skills and confidence to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Inspired by the FCA's values of self-sufficiency, resilience, ambition, engagement, and integrity, you'll be supported in developing personal effectiveness, advancing professional capabilities, and making a meaningful impact.

You'll benefit from:

• Bespoke induction and training
• Networking opportunities
• Lunch and learn sessions
• Social events with your intern cohort
• Opportunities to hear from senior speakers across the business

What we look for

We seek candidates who are curious, eager to learn, and keen to grow in a professional environment. You should be able to build relationships at all levels and analyse data effectively. No specific experience is required; you'll learn through working alongside experienced colleagues.

What We Offer

• £22,000 pro rata salary
• Rewarding work environment and hybrid working options
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Wellbeing resources and support
• Charity and volunteering initiatives  
• 5 days annual leave
• Sports and social clubs  
• Subsidised on-site fitness centre (London only)  
• Subsidised restaurant  

Application Process

Submit your online application by midnight, Sunday 14 December 2025. Please apply early, as application windows may close if we receive a high volume of candidates

We have created the FCA Candidate Preparation Zone so you can find out more information about our assessment process and practice some tests.  

Only one application is accepted across our early careers programmes within any six-month period

You must have obtained or be on track to achieve a minimum 2:1 degree from any university

Applicants for the 2026 summer internship must be in their penultimate year of study

We welcome applications from all candidates. You will be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK before joining the FCA's graduate programme. 

Offers are subject to your ability to obtain and maintain your right to work in the UK for the duration of the programme. 

There are Government restrictions on who can be sponsored.  Due to government-imposed criteria, not all of our graduate programmes are eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship. We can only consider offering sponsorship where the job meets the Skilled Worker Visa eligibility criteria. If you will require a Skilled Worker Visa, please ensure you meet the Home Office eligibility criteria before applying for a place on the Scheme. You can check eligibility at Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK 

Please be aware that it's your responsibility to explore avenues of working in the UK, as we are not able to provide advice on this.   

You must inform the FCA immediately if there is any change to your immigration status. 

We welcome applications from all candidates. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process and internship – you can request support from Employability at any stage in the recruitment process. 

Your application and any work submitted must be your own. Do not allow another person to complete any part of the assessment or submit responses generated by an AI assistant or similar software

Graduate offers following the internship cannot be deferred

For queries, contact

Join us and shape the future of financial services, we look forward to receiving your application