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Placements at First Derivative
On our 12-month placement program, there are no limits to what you can learn as you begin to lay the foundations for your career.
The First Derivative Placement Program is a unique learning opportunity for university students to gain professional experience and industry exposure that will prove invaluable through education and beyond. Being entrusted with high levels of responsibility from day one, you’ll gain a sought-after skill set and benefit from the support of our HQ team over your year-long placement in one of the exciting positions we offer.
As a placement, you will have access to unparalleled training opportunities through structured learning and hands-on experience. You will take part in our world-renowned Capital Markets Training Program (CMTP) and boost your long-term career prospects from day one!
During your placement year, you will become an integral part of our team, gaining exposure to many different areas of our business. From day one, you are a valued member of the team and you will have the opportunity to learn from your peers and experienced consultants, who can help you define your future career path.
Our Technology Services business is a leading global provider of third-party trading technology implementation and maintenance services supporting leading financial institutions worldwide. With over 20 years experience of delivering fully managed services across development, support and testing, from front-to-back to risk, we help clients reduce costs, improve quality and increase productivity.
We tackle every new venture with credibility, reliability and a flair for solving problems. Every element is planned. Every detail considered. Do you have what it takes?
Accelerate your marketing career with this exciting opportunity. You’ll work on cutting-edge campaigns, collaborate with top talent, and drive real business results.
Applications opening soon
An opportunity to gain invaluable experience across a variety of our core HR teams which support our global organisation. You’ll play a key role in supporting our staff as we enable our business to operate efficiently and continue to grow.
Applications opening soon
Our Business Operations placement role offers the opportunity to be immersed in the busy operational teams that support the day-to-day running of our business. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to a variety of business functions including recruitment, resourcing and management.
Applications opening soon
This role is a unique opportunity for highly technical students with an interest in cutting-edge technology and the capital markets sector to work as part of our development team for a year in industry.
Applications opening soon
In this role, placement students are guaranteed a high-quality experience within the financial services consultancy setting, contributing to live projects whilst also building sought-after technical skills.
Applications opening soon
“My placement experience so far at First Derivative as a Tech Services analyst has been fantastic. I’m working alongside six FD colleagues providing Application Support for a multinational bank, which has given me a valuable opportunity to apply what I’ve learnt at university to real client projects. This role has deepened my understanding of how the industry operates and allows me to communicate with global colleagues!
Some highlights include attending events, participating in monthly placement workshops, and completing capital markets training – all of which have helped me develop both my technical and professional skills. The supportive culture here is outstanding; experienced team members are always willing to share their knowledge and answer any questions. I’m excited to take on new challenges throughout the rest of the year and connect with even more great people in the company.”
“So far, my placement experience has been incredibly invaluable and exciting. Joining at the start of the integration over to EPAM has given me a unique opportunity to witness and be part of a global transition, which has expanded my exposure to international work practices and diverse teams. The transition has been seamless, and it’s been thrilling to learn from such a dynamic, global company.
Additionally, I’ve really enjoyed the engaging workshops and showcase events, which have not only enhanced my skills but also provided a fun, interactive learning environment. These events have been fantastic for networking and making connections with talented professionals from across the world. I’m excited to see what’s next and to continue growing through the opportunities ahead!”
“My placement journey at First Derivative has been both exciting and enriching. As a Computer Science student at Queen’s University Belfast, I joined FD as a Placement Analyst in Tech Services, working with a Canadian client, CPPIB, on the Data Fabric team. Being part of a small team of three from FD, I’ve gained valuable insights into cultural differences and the dynamics of collaborating with an international company.
The monthly placement workshops are a real highlight-they’re not only informative but also a lot of fun. From day one, I clicked with my fellow placement colleagues, and there’s always a great atmosphere and plenty of laughs on office days. I’ve learned so much because the work is very different from university, here, I’m hands-on with real client projects, which has helped me develop my technical skills and adapt quickly to new challenges. The supportive environment makes it easy to keep learning and growing, and I’m looking forward to making the most of every opportunity at FD.”
“My placement experience at First Derivative has been incredibly rewarding so far, and I have enjoyed every minute of it! My role ranges from developing content strategies and creating engaging posts, to helping promote key initiatives to strengthen our brand presence. I’ve also been involved in planning and organising events and collaborating across departments to ensure consistent messaging and impact. I absolutely love being part of the marketing team – everyone is so supportive and always willing to help and offer encouragement. The monthly placement workshops have been a great opportunity for the placement cohort to spend time together and complete various team bonding challenges.
The Capital Markets Training Programme has provided me with a solid understanding of the business foundations, and I am so grateful that we have been given access to these. Beyond work, I’ve really enjoyed taking part in sports and social events, which have made my experience even more fun!”
“My role within the Early Careers Recruitment team for placement has given me the opportunity to develop my confidence, organisation skills, and make connections with inspiring colleges at First derivative.
I have enjoyed having the opportunity to help students take that first step in kick starting their careers in the fintech industry within First Derivative. Through scheduling and taking interviews, attending careers events, and participating in a range of different presentations for CV and interview skills.
My experience on placement at First Derivative has been invaluable to helping me decide what career path I want to take in my future.”
“Coming into my placement year, I felt both excited and apprehensive. I aimed to work hard and keep my head down to make the most of this opportunity. However, the collaborative and supportive culture at FD showcased through my induction with the L&D team quickly boosted my confidence, encouraging me to engage in training, communicate openly and take initiative.
Working on a compliance project for one of the UK’s largest banks has allowed me to develop key professional and interpersonal skills, giving me confidence for moving into the world of professional work. To top it all off, I’ve really enjoyed working alongside my fellow placement cohort, learning new skills together. This has been a truly valuable experience so far and I can’t wait for what’s to come”
“Since starting my placement in June I have had the opportunity to work with employees across the world as a part of the Learning and Development team. This has helped grow my confidence massively by giving me opportunities to speak with new grad intakes and work closely with other teams throughout the business.
Over the past few months, I have enjoyed working within the people team and working closely with the new Grads, helping them settle into their new role and supporting them as they begin their careers. As the year progresses, I look forward to what other opportunities present themselves along with how much more I will be able to learn.”
“My placement journey at First Derivative so far has been an incredibly rewarding experience, offering continuous learning, growth, and valuable hands-on opportunities that have helped me develop both personally and professionally. I’ve really enjoyed gaining first-hand exposure to HR, which has given me a deeper understanding of how it functions within a busy and dynamic business environment. My team have been so supportive and encouraging throughout, creating such a positive environment that has made the whole experience even more enjoyable!
First Derivative is a fantastic company, where the culture and support make learning and professional growth rewarding. I am excited about the remainder of my placement journey and having the opportunity to learn even more invaluable skills and insights along the way!”
“My placement journey as a Business Operations Associate at First Derivative has been nothing short of an incredibly valuable experience. Since I started my placement position in June, I have developed a strong understanding of how a large capital markets consulting firm operates on a day-to-day basis. I’ve gained skills in technology, communication, and problem-solving while supporting delivery managers and working closely with various teams across the business.
I’ve especially enjoyed collaborating with my fellow placement colleagues, learning about the company’s global operations, and seeing how Business Operations plays a key role in ensuring efficiency and client success. This placement has helped me grow both professionally and personally, giving me real insight into corporate structures, teamwork, and the importance of adaptability in a fast-paced environment.”
“My experience so far as an HR Operations student within first derivative has been a very positive and rewarding one. So far within my role I’ve been involved in so much which has been great and every day is different. I’m constantly learning new things and gaining more confidence as the months progress thanks to my amazing team.
Experiencing the changes that’s come from joining with EPAM have been so insightful and given myself the opportunity to work with colleagues from many different countries. I have especially enjoyed meeting all the amazing people that work within First Derivative and learning all the valuable skills that I have.”
