Citi is recruiting newly qualified university graduates for its year-long Markets Learnership Programme. The full-time hybrid placement offers practical exposure to bonds, rates, risk reporting and market analysis, while sponsoring a relevant postgraduate qualification. Applications close on 7 August 2026. Citi has not disclosed the programme’s salary or stipend amount.
The programme will operate from Citi’s Johannesburg office through a hybrid working arrangement. For graduates interested in fixed-income markets, it offers a route from university study into the fast-moving environment of rates trading and institutional banking.
Why does the Citi programme combine work and postgraduate study?
Citi designed the programme to help graduates transfer their academic knowledge from the classroom into a professional financial markets environment.
During the year, participants will gain exposure to different Citi operations while contributing to the Markets team. In addition, Citi will sponsor a postgraduate qualification linked to each graduate’s work area.
This combination allows participants to strengthen their academic knowledge while building practical experience in areas such as risk, trading processes and economic analysis.
Citi also supports internal mobility. Therefore, graduates may submit applications for permanent positions during the programme, although participation does not guarantee permanent employment.
What will graduates do within the Markets team?
The programme focuses strongly on fixed-income markets, particularly bonds and interest rates.
Participants will support traders while learning how economic conditions, market movements and risk influence trading decisions.
Their responsibilities will include:
- Supporting rates traders working with bonds and interest-rate products
- Preparing risk reports and other reports for the trading desk
- Analysing information used by the Markets team
- Monitoring financial market movements
- Providing commentary on relevant market developments
- Studying macroeconomic data and market trends
- Learning how traders manage risk
- Developing an understanding of pricing across asset classes
- Communicating with sales traders and operations teams
- Supporting the efficient completion of internal processes
- Participating in morning market meetings
- Keeping processes and procedures current
As a result, graduates will need to work accurately while absorbing new financial concepts quickly.
What does fixed-income exposure involve?
Fixed-income markets cover financial instruments that generally provide predetermined interest payments or returns. Bonds form one of the best-known examples.
Within this programme, graduates will observe how traders evaluate market conditions, interest-rate expectations and economic data when making pricing and risk decisions.
They may also help prepare reports that show the trading desk’s exposure to different market risks.
Although Citi does not demand previous professional trading experience, candidates should understand why inflation, interest rates, government debt and economic developments influence financial markets.
Who should consider the Citi learnership?
Citi wants newly qualified university graduates who feel motivated to build careers in financial markets.
The programme could suit candidates who:
- Have recently completed a university qualification
- Show a genuine passion for financial markets
- Want to develop within a fixed-income environment
- Enjoy analysing economic and market information
- Work confidently in a fast-paced setting
- Build productive professional relationships
- Communicate effectively with different teams
- Pay close attention to numerical and written information
- Remain curious about bonds, rates and macroeconomic trends
The advertisement does not name a compulsory degree field. However, candidates should show how their university studies prepared them for analytical work within financial markets.
Qualifications in economics, finance, investment management, mathematics, statistics, commerce or a related analytical field may provide relevant knowledge.
Which strengths could help candidates stand out?
The Markets environment requires more than strong academic performance. Graduates must also remain calm when conditions change quickly.
Strong candidates will demonstrate:
- Analytical thinking
- Numerical confidence
- Clear written communication
- Strong verbal communication
- Interest in financial news
- Curiosity about economic policy
- Attention to detail
- Relationship-building ability
- Confidence when working under pressure
- Willingness to learn from experienced colleagues
Moreover, candidates should prepare to discuss recent movements in inflation, interest rates or bond markets during the recruitment process.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Read current financial market news before submitting your application and preparing for interviews. You should be able to explain why fixed income interests you and discuss how an interest-rate or inflation change could affect bonds.
Which documents must accompany the application?
Citi requires candidates to include three important documents:
- A comprehensive curriculum vitae
- A tailored cover letter
- A complete academic transcript
The cover letter should explain the candidate’s interest in Citi, financial markets and fixed-income products. It should also connect the applicant’s university studies to the programme’s analytical responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the academic transcript should include the full record requested by Citi, not only a qualification certificate or final-year results.
Candidates should ensure that all uploaded documents remain clear, correctly labelled and easy to read.
What will graduates gain during the year?
The learnership offers participants a combination of professional training, workplace exposure and continued academic development.
Successful graduates can expect:
- Practical experience within a global financial institution
- Exposure to bond and interest-rate markets
- Insight into trading desk operations
- Experience with risk reporting
- Opportunities to analyse economic data
- Collaboration with trading, sales and operations teams
- Professional network development
- A sponsored postgraduate qualification
- Access to potential internal career opportunities
However, Citi does not disclose the exact postgraduate course, education provider or funding conditions in the listing. Candidates can request those details during the recruitment process.
What should candidates know about the working arrangement?
This is a full-time, 12-month programme operating through a hybrid arrangement.
Graduates will need to attend the Johannesburg workplace when required while completing other approved duties remotely.
Because the programme supports active financial markets operations, participants should expect structured working hours, morning meetings and time-sensitive responsibilities.
Citi has not published a salary or monthly stipend amount.
How can graduates submit an application?
Applications must be submitted through the official Citi online application portal by 7 August 2026.
Candidates should use requisition number 26973690 when identifying the programme.
Before submitting, applicants should confirm that they have attached their curriculum vitae, cover letter and complete academic transcript. Missing any of these documents could leave the application incomplete.
Citi welcomes applications from qualified candidates and provides reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities during the recruitment process.
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Final Thoughts
The Citi Markets Graduate Learnership Programme offers newly qualified graduates a rare combination of fixed-income exposure, practical banking experience and sponsored postgraduate study.
Participants will learn how traders monitor markets, analyse risk and respond to economic developments. At the same time, they will build relationships across trading, sales and operations teams.
Graduates who enjoy financial markets, economic analysis and fast-moving professional environments should prepare a tailored application before 7 August 2026.
