Actuarial (Life Insurance) Graduate Programme 2026

You will be working in an actuarial role from day one, gaining experience working alongside a team of actuaries. During your time as an actuarial trainee and newly qualified actuary, you will rotate between teams to gain a great understanding of the breadth of actuarial work and how each team contributes to great customer protection and outcomes.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong IT skills, knowledge of Excel is preferable (but not essential)
• Comfortable with maths and a logical mindset
• An appetite to learn
• Effective personal planning and organisation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build strong working relationships
• A professional attitude and a positive approach to your work

Entry Requirements

• You must have recently achieved (within the last three years) or be on track to achieve a minimum 2:1 in a Maths-based subject (e.g. mathematics, statistics, engineering, chemistry and physics) from your bachelors (or equivalent) degree.
• A minimum C/4 grade in both English and Maths at GCSE level (or equivalent)
• At least 128 UCAS points in three A-levels including an A in Maths
• You must have an indefinite, full right to work and reside in the UK. We cannot accept applications from those who require sponsorship to work in the UK. You must have resided in the UK for a minimum of three consecutive years.

Are you ready for a brighter future?

Insurance is so much more than you think! Are you looking for a career that will excite, challenge and inspire you after you\’ve finished university? If so, a Zurich Insurance graduate scheme could be just what you\’re looking for. It\’s a great way to get real‑life experience of working in insurance and discover what you enjoy. You\’ll get plenty of opportunities and support to shape your career and make a difference to our customers at a time when they need us the most. Each Zurich graduate scheme is a permanent role and is just the start of your career with us. We\’ll continue to cheer you on every step of the way once you\’ve finished and will remain committed to helping you grow. Working in insurance is so varied – you\’ll find many different opportunities to explore.

Actuarial Skills Development

• Analysing data using actuarial software and programming languages.
• Projecting financial results (profit and solvency) using expert actuarial judgements.
• Communicating your results to key stakeholders to inform business decisions.
• Continuously improving our processes including use of new technologies such as predictive analytics; and analysing the business\’ exposure to risks.

To help you pass the exams, we provide a generous allowance of paid study days, up to a maximum of 52 a year depending on the exams chosen. We expect you to invest a significant amount of your own time in addition to the paid study days and make a serious commitment to successfully attaining the qualifications. We recognise that passing exams is important to you and strive to give you the required time you need for studying, especially around exam time. In addition to paid study days, we also cover all the financial costs required to qualify. This can include exam fees, study materials, tutorials, mock exams, professional membership, and required travel.

We run a mentoring scheme to help guide you through your early experiences and give you advice with structuring your exam and revision time. Working in a team alongside qualified actuaries will give you the best professional experience and we always encourage questions because the best students seek to understand what it is they are doing and why they are doing it. Additionally, the Zurich Graduate Scheme will help you develop your non‑actuarial skills, such as presenting, communicating, influencing others, and career planning. This will aid you in becoming more well‑rounded in your skill set, offering important building blocks towards being a good actuary.

Zurich employees enjoy a hybrid working model, working from the office and home. Initially you will be expected to attend the office regularly whilst you learn about Zurich and your role.

What you\’ll gain?

Benefits & Compensation

• £33,200 starting salary with twice yearly pay reviews following exam results, whilst you are on the study scheme, to reflect exam passes and office performance.
• 28 days holiday plus an additional 3 volunteering days
• You can request to swap UK bank holidays for days off that have cultural or religious significance to you
• Private medical cover
• 12% company pension contribution
• Annual company bonus
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounted gadget insurance
• Discounted technology offers

What you\’ll need

• Although we are a hybrid workforce, you should be within a commutable distance of the Swindon office, The financials
• 12% defined non‑contributory pension scheme.
• Annual company bonus.
• Income Protection.
• Life cover – four times your salary.

Time away

• 28 days holiday a year plus bank holidays.
• You can also request to swap UK bank holidays for days off that have cultural or religious significance to you.
• The option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.
• Three days paid volunteering.
• Up to 16 weeks\’ full pay for maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

Your health is important to us

• Access to Private medical insurance.
• Virtual GP appointments.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Free flu jab.
• Access to a wealth of support from our wellbeing partners.

We\’re making a difference

• Creating a brighter, more sustainable future underpins all that we do here in Zurich. We were the first insurer to sign the \’UN Business Ambition for 1.5 C\’ pledge.
• Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, has awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.