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Graduate programme

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Are you a highly talented recent graduate eager to apply your knowledge to real policy, supervisory and organisational challenges?

Do you want to work in a diverse, international environment where your ideas matter and you can help shape Europe’s financial and economic future?

The ECB Graduate Programme is a unique two-year development journey designed to prepare you for an impactful career at the European Central Bank – with the possibility to continue for a third year at expert level and build your long-term career with us. 

Hear from our graduates


What the programme offers

Two one-year assignments in different business areas

You will complete two challenging, complementary assignments in two different ECB business areas. These will be matched to:

  • our organisational needs;
  • your academic background and expertise;
  • your interests (expressed in your application).

This will give you a rich, hands-on understanding of the ECB’s broad mandate – from economics to banking supervision, IT, communications, law, data, climate topics and more. 

A project paper that boosts your career

During your second year, you will select – together with business area management – a project paper topic.

Your successful completion of the programme, including the paper, will be assessed by the Graduate Programme Committee.

A personalised development pathway

We will invest strongly in your growth. You will receive:

  • an experienced mentor to guide you throughout the programme;
  • on-the-job learning in diverse teams committed to innovation and public service;
  • access to a broad range of learning opportunities, including in-house and external courses. 
A springboard into an expert career at the ECB

Upon completion of the two-year programme:

  • successful graduates can also be directly appointed to expert level (F/G band) positions in business areas with available roles;
  • graduates who have not yet taken up another ECB position will be promoted to expert level (F/G band) for an optional third year.

Why join the ECB Graduate Programme?

Meaningful work with real impact

You will contribute to the ECB’s mission of ensuring price stability, safeguarding financial stability and serving 350 million Europeans. Your work will be relevant, visible and anchored in public service.

A diverse and inclusive environment

You will be part of a multicultural community where colleagues from all EU countries collaborate and learn from each other. The ECB is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages people from all backgrounds to apply.

A modern programme with a strong community

Every year, 19 graduates join the programme, building a supportive and vibrant cohort. 15 come from the generalist Graduate Programme and four from the specialised Economist Graduate Programme.


Who we are looking for

You can apply if you:

  • hold a master’s degree or PhD in a wide range of disciplines (for the Economist Graduate Programme a PhD is mandatory);

  • are an EU national;

  • fulfil any other requirements mentioned in the vacancy notices. 

The vacancies for the graduate programme are normally published each year in our career portal:

  • The Economist Graduate Programme vacancies are published in autumn, with a start date of 1 September the following year.

  • The general Graduate Programme vacancies are published in winter, with a start date of the following 1 September.

Your working conditions

  • Contract: two-year fixed-term contract at E/F band starting on 1 September following the publication of the vacancy notice

  • Possible extension upon completion of the programme: optional third year at expert level (F/G band)
  • Working time: full time

The full terms and conditions governing the Graduate Programme can be found in Annex IIa of the Conditions of Employment.

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