Frequently asked questions

We welcome the use of AI tools to check punctuation and enhance the clarity of your application. However, please be mindful that over-reliance on AI can risk removing your individuality. At Baillie Gifford, we value seeing how you think and approach tasks. Therefore, consider carefully how you use these tools, ensuring they refine your own thinking rather than doing the thinking for you.

We only accept applications during our recruitment campaigns. Please note this is the only way to apply and we are not able to hold speculative CVs, therefore all applications must be submitted through the formal application process.

Investments Graduate Programme:

• We welcome candidates from any degree subject.
• Candidates should be on track for a 2:1 or above at the undergraduate level, or hold a 2:2 or above if they also have a postgraduate qualification.

Technology Graduate Programme:

• We welcome applications from candidates with a degree in a STEM-related subject who demonstrate a passion for technology.
• There is no degree classification requirement however you should be on track to pass your degree.

Technology Internship Programmes:

• We welcome candidates in their penultimate (second last) year of study in an undergraduate technology-related subject (for example CyberSecurity, Computer Science etc.)

Yes, we're open to candidates reapplying if they were previously unsuccessful but please note we will only accept one application during each recruitment campaign (i.e. one application during each September to November window).

Graduate Programmes: We can support an application for visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa. However, candidates requiring sponsorship must meet the minimum requirements set by the UK Visas and Immigration department.

Internship Programmes: Unfortunately, due to the short nature of our internship programmes, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK to be eligible for consideration.

We understand that it is important for you to find the right programme and would encourage you to research all our available opportunities. To ensure you make the best decision, we recommend attending one of the events listed on our website, where you can learn more about the opportunities on offer. However, if we believe there may be a more suitable role for you, we may consider you for a different programme and would let you know if this is the case.

If you have any technical issues with our website when submitting your application or registering for one of our events, please email HR@bailliegifford.com for assistance.

All our UK Early Careers positions are located at our head office in Edinburgh. If you accept a position, you will need to either relocate to Edinburgh or be able to commute to our Edinburgh office.

• Go to our website and click apply on the programme of your choice.
• You will be redirected to our applicant tracking system, Workday, where you will be asked to create an account and provide some personal details.
• On Workday, upload your CV (maximum 2 pages), and answer a couple of application questions. Please note we do not require a cover letter.
• Your application is then screened and, if successful, you will receive a call to invite you to an interview.
• If you have not been successful in securing an interview, we will update you by email.
• All first-round interviews take place on Zoom and last around one hour.
• If you are invited to attend a second stage interview, one of our team will be in touch to arrange a date for an in person interview at our Edinburgh office. If you have been unsuccessful on this occasion, we will be in touch via email and we encourage all candidates to reach out to us for feedback.
• The second-round assessment day will be a combination of interviews, individual exercises, informal meetings with current trainees and a group exercise for our technology programme.

If you attend an interview at Baillie Gifford, you are welcome to request feedback, regardless of the result. However, due to the high volume of applicants, we are unable to provide feedback to those who do not progress beyond the application stage.

We are committed to supporting you at every stage. At each step, we will ask if there's anything we can do to help you feel comfortable and perform at your best. Support is personalised and may include managing nerves, providing extra time to prepare or offering a deeper understanding of the stages. We encourage you to communicate with us, and we will do our best to assist you. Please contact us at HR@bailliegifford.com, and we'd be happy to help.

All first-round interviews take place on Zoom.

Second-round interviews take place in our Edinburgh office. We feel it's important for you to see the office and the city where you could end up living and working. To support you, we reimburse interview-related expenses which include travel, accommodation (up to two nights) and food expenses. Please ensure you retain all receipts.

We recognise that attending a second stage interview might require some candidates to miss a work shift. In such instances, we will reimburse for any lost earnings incurred during our assessment days. Additional guidance is provided to all candidates invited to the second stage.

A cover letter is not required for the application process.

Progress is not automatically saved. We recommend drafting your answers in a separate document to ensure they are saved and can be revisited at a later stage.

All Early Careers intakes join as a cohort and are provided with a structured training programme, on-the-job training, a buddy, and a dedicated learning consultant to support you through the programme.

You may have the opportunity to be considered for a place in the graduate programme for the following year. This will be discussed during your internship.