EARLY CAREERS FAQ'S
When do applications open and close?
- Our 2026 Industrial Placement vacancies are now closed.
- Graduate positions for 2026 are now closed.
- Apprenticeship vacancies are also closed and will be announced in February 2026.
What are the application stages/what happens after I apply?
After you apply online:
- Sifting by Talent Acquisition team and Hiring Managers
- Online Interview and Presentation
Please note that for some apprenticeship roles, you may be invited to an onsite interview and assessment.
What qualifications do I need?
The criteria for selection is outlined in the ‘About you’ section of each advert, but we have included an overview below.
Graduate Programme | Candidates must have achieved a 2:1 in a relevant degree subject alongside a pass (Level 4 and above) in Maths and English at GCSE.
Industrial Placements | Industrial Placements candidates must be on track to achieve a 2:1 in a relevant degree subject alongside a pass (Level 4 and above) in Maths and English at GCSE.
Apprenticeships | For Degree Apprenticeships, candidates need three A-Levels (or equivalent e.g. BTEC) at grade C or above. For Higher and Intermediate Apprenticeships, qualifications can vary but at the minimum, we require GCSE’s at level 3/D in Maths and English.
What is the salary for the trainee programmes?
Salaries for trainees go alongside other company benefits, including 35 days holiday (including bank holidays), contributory pension schemes, subsidised onsite catering facilities (including Starbucks and Costa), flexible working hours, and access to our colleague car scheme for Graduates and Apprentices. The salaries for each programme are as follows:
- Graduates: £34,472
- Industrial Placements: £24,327
- Degree and Higher Apprentice: £24,179
- Advanced or Intermediate Apprentice: £21,980
Why Bentley?
Bentley Motors is the definitive British car company, dedicated to developing and crafting the world's most desirable cars.
In 1919, a simple aluminium paperweight inspired a pioneering British engineer. His ideas took the automotive world by storm, creating an enduring lineage that combines the spirit of pure craftsmanship with a vision for limitless performance. That engineer was W.O. Bentley.
Based at our headquarters in Crewe, you’ll work alongside industry-leading experts, take part in corporate social responsibility initiatives, and grow your networks, equipping you with personal and professional training and development to accelerate your career.
Explore our Early Careers page and social media to get a feel for what goes on at Bentley:
Which role is best for me?
It’s always good to have your target career path in mind when applying for a programme. Considering what you enjoy, what you want to explore in a career, and what aligns with your degree. For Apprenticeships, thinking about how your qualifications line up is also useful. Even try discussing with friends and family or Career Advisors – they may have some useful insight on what would be best for you
If I do not live within commuting distance, will I need to consider relocation?
Yes, all of our trainee roles are based at our Crewe Headquarters, in Cheshire. You will be relocating with a large cohort of Apprentices, Graduates and Industrial Placements. Approximately one hour from Manchester and Liverpool, Crewe also borders the towns of Nantwich and Chester, home to many restaurants, bars and shops. Where individuals need to relocate to the area, we offer support networks to help find rooms & accommodation and make new connections with our current trainees.
Can I work from home?
We are currently hybrid working for most colleagues. This can mean 2-3 days a week working on-site and the rest of the week working from home. However, some roles can only be done on-site at the factory, such as manufacturing.
Can someone inquire about my application on my behalf?
We’re unable to respond to enquiries or applications from anyone who is not you. If you want to discuss your application, you can check the status by logging into your profile above or get in contact with the team directly via talent.acquisition@bentley.co.uk.
What happens if I miss the application deadline?
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications after the closing date. This is to allow the recruitment process to progress to the next stage and to ensure we do not have candidates at different stages with delays.