Frequently asked questions

Eligibility

What A Level grades do I need to apply?

For the General and Marketing programmes we ask that you have a minimum of 320 UCAS points. We do not have any requirements for specific A-level grades for the Finance and Information Systems programmes.

 

What level of degree do I need to apply?

For the General, Finance or Marketing programmes, you'll need at least a 2:1 or equivalent. For the IS programme, you'll need at least a 2:1 or equivalent in an IT discipline. However, we will consider extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

 

Do I need a degree in a particular subject to apply?

For the Finance, General or Marketing programmes, we accept applications from graduates with all degree subjects. However, you must have a degree in an IT discipline to apply for the IS programme.

 

I was educated outside the UK. Can I still apply?

Yes

 

What kinds of people get a place on the programmes?
We're looking for people who are passionate about what they do and who know how to make things happen. There are lots of opportunities here at Bupa. You need to be able to make the most of them. A real affinity for our values and what we do is also absolutely essential. Find out more about what we're looking for.

 

Do I need management experience?

No

 

Will it help my application if I have some work experience?
We ask competency-based questions as part of the assessment process, people with previous work experience tend to have more examples to draw on. For the function specific programmes, relevant work experience is one way of demonstrating that you are making an informed decision on your choice of programme.

 

Do you accept applications from graduates who require a work permit? Unfortunately we don't accept applications from graduates who require a work permit and you will need to be eligible to work in the UK indefinitely. However, if you are currently a Bupa employee and you would require a work permit to work in the UK please email: graduateprogrammes@bupa.com

 

Is there an age limit?

No

 

I already work for Bupa. Can I still apply for the graduate scheme?

Absolutely. We positively encourage applications from internal candidates. You will still need to go through the same application process.

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The programme

When would I start work?
All programmes start with a month-long induction to the business. This occurs mid-September.

 

Will I be guaranteed a placement outside of the UK?

An international placement is not guaranteed, although it is common for graduates on the General and Marketing programmes. There are no international placements currently offered as part of the IS programme.

 

It is worth remembering, however, that Bupa is a growing international company. Even if you don't work internationally during your time on the graduate programme, there may well be opportunities in the future. Several alumni from our programmes are now in permanent positions across the world.

 

Will I get the chance to use my language skills?
You may well do. As Bupa continues to grow internationally, language skills are becoming more and more of an asset. Spanish is particularly useful. Previous graduates with a good level of Spanish have had the chance to use their language skills on placements in Miami and Madrid.

 

Am I guaranteed a job at the end of the programme?
When you come to the end of your programme, we think it's important that you find the right position for yourself rather than letting us assign you a position you might not like. However you will be joining on a permanent contract and will progress into a permanent role.

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Salary and benefits

How much will I be paid during the programme?
£25,000 plus a £1000 starting bonus.

 

What benefits will I get during the programme?
Please see our Salary and Benefits section.

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Training and development

Do I get to choose the location of my placements?
No. Placements arise in line with the needs of business and we expect graduates to choose placements based on the experience offered rather than the location. Therefore you should be prepared to relocate. Our main locations in the UK are London, Manchester, Leeds, Brighton and Staines. If you're on the IS programme, you will be predominantly based in our IT department in Staines, although there will be opportunities to spend time in other locations.

 

What support will I get during training?
We pride ourselves on the high level of support we offer to our graduates. Read our training and development section to find out more.

 

What support and development will I get once I have left the programme?
Bupa is an organisation that invests in its employees. So there will be plenty of opportunities for further training once you've completed the graduate programme. The programme has been designed to give you the tools you need to manage your career and development long into the future.

There is also strong network of current and past graduate trainees, which you will always be able to draw on. You will also be able to continue benefiting from any mentoring relationships beyond the programme's end.
 

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Application process

Is there support for people with disabilities?
We will make any reasonable adjustments to support people with disabilities through the application process and on joining the programme. If you would like to discuss this further, please call Vicki Anderson on 020 7656 2557.

 

Can I apply now and defer my start date?
Unfortunately not. We cannot cater for deferring candidates because our graduate intake each year is so small.

 

How many graduates are you taking on this year?
Between 15 - 20 graduates in total across the four programmes.

 

How do I apply?
We will be accepting applications for the 2013 programme from Friday 14 September 2012. All applications should be made online when the process is open. We are not able to accept applications or CVs at other times during the year.

What are the dates for the assessment centres?
The assessment centre dates for the 2013 Graduate programme are:

Finance - 22, 26 and 29 November 2012

General - 10, 14 and 17 January 2013

Marketing - 21 and 24 January 2013

Information Systems - 5 and 11 February 2013

What if I can't attend the assessment centre on the date I've been given?
We provide multiple dates for each programme. If you can't make the date you've been assigned, contact us at the earliest opportunity and we will do our best to move you to one of the alternative dates.

 

What should I wear to my assessment centre?
Business dress.

Will my travel expenses be reimbursed?
Yes, you can claim back reasonable travel expenses. Remember to bring the relevant receipts along to the assessment centre; we will be collecting them at the end of the day. Please note: we will not reimburse the cost of accommodation unless it has been authorised beforehand by the Resource Management team 

 

Can I get feedback on my application?

We are happy to provide feedback to candidates on their performance at telephone interview and assessment centre if requested. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will only be able to do this once all the assessment centres have been completed.

 

How can I find out about the progress of my application?
Email the graduateprogrammes@bupa.com mailbox for a status update.