Rothesay, the UK’s largest pensions insurance specialist, is hiring graduates for its Macro Risk team through its official graduate programme. The role sits at the heart of how a major firm protects the pensions of more than one million people, and it is open to final-year students from any degree subject with strong numeracy and a real interest in financial markets.
The programme lasts two years, starting with a fundamentals week for the whole cohort, with networking and insight sessions about Rothesay. From the second week, you join your team and start real work, alongside an on-site graduate development programme in your first year.
What the Macro Risk team actually does
Macro Risk covers market risk, liquidity risk and counterparty credit risk. In plain language, market risk is the danger that changing prices, interest rates or currency values hurt the firm’s investments. Liquidity risk is the danger of not having cash available when it is needed, and counterparty credit risk is the danger that another firm the company deals with fails to meet its obligations.
As a Risk Graduate, you will help identify, monitor and reduce these risks on Rothesay’s balance sheet, using stress testing, limit setting and monitoring, and capital model development. You will work closely with Trading Desks, Strats and the Treasury function. You start as a generalist, then choose an area of specialisation, with professional development such as CFA and FRM designations encouraged.
The key details at a glance
| Detail | What the official page states |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Rothesay |
| Role | Risk Graduate, Macro Risk function |
| Location | London, UK |
| Programme length | Two years |
| Start | September, with a fundamentals week for the whole cohort |
| Application deadline | 1 December 2026, but applications may close earlier due to demand |
| Pay | Competitive starting salary with a performance-related bonus (no figure stated) |
| Who can apply | Final-year students in the summer graduating cohort, any degree subject |
Who this programme is built for
Rothesay recruits from all academic disciplines, so you do not need a finance degree. What is essential is a high degree of numeracy, a logical approach to problem-solving, and excellent academic credentials: a minimum of a 2:1 or equivalent degree from a leading university. You must also show a clear interest and intellectual curiosity in the financial markets, and fluency in English is a prerequisite.
Internships or work experience in financial services are highly desired but not essential, so a lack of industry experience should not stop a strong applicant. Coding proficiency is a distinct plus, not a requirement. One point deserves emphasis: applications may close earlier than the stated deadline due to demand, so waiting until the final week is a genuine risk.
A quick self-check before you apply
Use this honest check to judge whether the programme fits you. You are a strong fit if:
- You enjoy numbers and logical puzzles, and you can show it through your degree, projects or work, not just claim it.
- You follow financial markets out of genuine interest, for example by reading market news or tracking how interest rates affect investments.
- You work well in a team and can give a concrete example of collaborating with different groups of people.
- You are comfortable with detail, because risk work rewards people who spot small errors before they become big problems.
You should probably not apply if you are not in your final year of study, since the programme is open to final-year students in the summer graduating cohort. Think twice too if you dislike quantitative work or have no real interest in markets, and do not apply if you cannot meet the 2:1 minimum, which the official page states plainly.
How to make your application stand out at Rothesay
Graduate recruiters at a firm like Rothesay read many applications that all say the same things, so specific evidence matters far more than general enthusiasm. When you describe your interest in markets, name something real: a market event you followed, a module that shaped your thinking, or a project where you analysed data and reached a conclusion. Vague statements about loving finance will not separate you from other applicants.
Use Rothesay’s listed competencies as a checklist for your examples: technical skills, drive and motivation, teamwork, communication, judgement and problem solving, creativity and innovation, and influencing outcomes. For teamwork, describe a time you worked with people from different backgrounds and what your contribution actually was. If you have coding skills, mention them clearly, with the languages you know and what you built with them.
How to apply
Applications are made through Rothesay’s official graduate careers board. Before starting, prepare your academic details, work experience and competency examples, so you can complete the form in one focused sitting. Apply well before the deadline, because applications may close earlier due to demand. Use the application button below to reach the official posting.
What happens after you apply
The official page does not describe the selection stages, so no specific timeline or interview format can be promised here. As general guidance, keep the email address you applied with checked regularly, including spam folders, and keep a copy of what you submitted so your answers stay consistent later.
While you wait, practise explaining a recent market development in two or three clear sentences. If you are not shortlisted, the same preparation transfers directly to other finance graduate roles, including other programmes listed on this site such as the LSEG Engineering Graduate Programme and the EY Financial Services Audit Graduate Programme.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do I need a finance or economics degree to apply?
A: No. Rothesay recruits from all academic disciplines, but strong numeracy, logical problem-solving and a minimum 2:1 or equivalent are required.
Q: Is financial services experience required?
A: No. Internships and work experience in financial services are highly desired but not essential, according to the official page.
Q: Does the official page state a salary figure?
A: No. It states a competitive starting salary with a performance-related bonus, but no figure is given.
