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Technology / consulting · researched 2026-10-02. Processes change every year, so confirm on the employer's own page.
Minimum 120 UCAS points (2026 start advert) · GCSE Maths and English grade 4+ (2026 advert) · Salary quoted as £27,000 or more for the 2026 London Technology advert (£26,000 for the 2025 intake). Eligible for security clearance. Right to work in England without sponsorship; must not have started/completed a similar degree or apprenticeship; STEM subject preferred not mandatory; must live within commuting distance and be office-based (if not on client site) min. 3 days/week. source
Opens Varies by pathway and posting (see closing dates) · closes Conflicting third-party adverts: 4 March 2026 (one advert); 27 May 2026 with a 14 September 2026 start (London Technology Level 6 advert on Uptree, which may close earlier); 17 August 2025 with a 6 October 2025 start (2025 intake, which listed Hursley, London, Manchester and Warwick) · rolling (apply early) · The 2026 advert says a full application form must be submitted within 48 hours of the initial quick application. Assessment centres ('exploration sessions') have historically run around February for some roles and are mandatory with fixed dates. Start date 7 Sept 2026. source
1. Initial application
Quick online initial application, followed by a full application form (2026 advert: complete the full form within 48 hours). Amazing Apprenticeships advises using the full word count to sell yourself and describes IBM professionals screening applications.
Several candidate reports source
2. Online assessment (IBM (in-house/Kenexa-family platform reported by prep sites - unverified for UK apprentices))
May not apply to the Level 6 Digital and Technology Solutions apprenticeship: the 2026 London Technology advert text on Uptree states 'No online assessment required'. IBM's careers site says other roles may include coding, video and English-language assessments, and third-party summaries describe an online cognitive ability test for some IBM apprenticeships (for example Test Engineer or Junior Management Consultant). Check your own invitation.
Single report source
3. Exploration session (assessment centre)
Briefing (not assessed), then a group exercise/discussion and one or more interviews (~45 minutes for the interview per a TSR summary), plus a chance to meet existing apprentices. Amazing Apprenticeships lists a group exercise and a manager interview. Group exercise assessed on communicating effectively, understanding customer needs and creating opportunities to collaborate.
Several candidate reports source
4. Business / matching interview
Interview with a business manager combining job-related, behavioural and situational questions; successful candidates enter a matching pool and are aligned to a role/team then interviewed by that team's manager (reported by candidates).
Several candidate reports source
Write look-alike practice as fast numerical series/word-problem items and logical/diagrammatic pattern questions with tight per-question time (older candidate reports: ~2 minutes per question numerical/abstract). Also practise answering on-camera video questions and a short English-language exercise.
Single report source
IBM's careers site lists a video assessment where you answer interview questions using webcam and microphone as one possible online assessment depending on role. Not confirmed as used for the degree apprenticeship in the 2026 cycle.
Official source source
'Exploration session': non-assessed briefing, group exercise (~45 mins per TSR summary) and interview (~45 mins), meet current apprentices. Older graduate reports also mention presentations and practical team tasks (e.g. tower-building).
Several candidate reports source
Business interview with job-related, behavioural and situational questions; then matching to a team and interview with that manager (candidate reports).
Several candidate reports source
Adaptability · Communication · Client focus · Creative problem solving · Drive · Teamwork · Passion for IBM · Taking ownership · Celebration of individuality / curiosity / turning problems into possibility (IBM's three pillars per Amazing Apprenticeships)