South African university graduates interested in banking, financial markets, investments and the broader financial services sector have an important new graduate opportunity to consider.
Citi is recruiting graduates for the South Africa Learnership Graduate Programme – Markets 2026, based in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
The programme gives newly qualified university graduates an opportunity to gain practical workplace experience within Citi while developing the professional, analytical and financial-market skills required to build a career in the financial services industry.
According to the official vacancy, successful graduates will participate in a year-long programme and will be placed within Equities, Markets.
Importantly, Citi states that graduates participating in the programme may apply for permanent positions during the year and are also sponsored for a postgraduate qualification relevant to their area of work.
For graduates trying to move from university into professional employment, this creates a combination of workplace exposure, structured development and further education.
Applicants can also use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to investigate careers and qualifications connected to banking, finance, accounting, economics, investment and financial markets.
Quick Overview
Programme: South Africa Learnership Graduate Programme – Markets 2026
Employer: Citi
Job Req ID: 26993885
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Programme Duration: One year
Work Arrangement: On-Site/Resident
Time Type: Full-time
Business Area: Equities, Markets
Job Family Group: Management Development Programs
Job Family: Intern
Minimum Academic Performance: 65% or above at undergraduate level
Work Experience: Maximum of one year accepted, but experience is not required
Accounting Qualification: Advantageous
Posted: 15 September 2026
Application Method: Online through the official Citi recruitment platform
What Is the Citi South Africa Learnership Graduate Programme?
The Citi Learnership Graduate Programme is designed to help newly qualified university graduates transition from academic study into the professional workplace.
Citi explains that the programme provides practical work experience across its businesses while helping graduates develop the knowledge and skills needed to establish long-term careers.
For this particular intake, successful applicants will be placed in Equities within Markets.
This is particularly relevant to graduates who want exposure to the financial markets environment and who are interested in areas connected to banking, investments, economics, financial analysis and related disciplines.
Citi describes the programme as an opportunity for graduates to take knowledge gained in the classroom and begin applying it within a professional business environment.
The Programme Runs for One Year
The Citi South Africa Learnership Graduate Programme runs for approximately one year.
During this period, participants receive workplace exposure and training designed to develop the skills required within Citi and the broader financial services industry.
Citi indicates that the programme is intended to train and develop graduates who can participate in a rapidly changing economic environment and contribute within both the African and global economy.
This is more than simply completing a short period of work experience.
The programme is structured around graduate development, professional exposure and the possibility of building a longer-term career.
Successful Graduates Will Work in Equities, Markets
Applicants should pay particular attention to the business area attached to this vacancy.
Citi states that candidates who successfully complete the interview and selection process will be placed in:
Equities, Markets
Financial markets are complex professional environments involving areas such as securities, investments, trading, market analysis, institutional clients, financial products and economic developments.
Applicants therefore do not necessarily need years of financial-sector employment, but they should be able to demonstrate a genuine interest in understanding financial markets and the financial services industry.
Graduates who are unsure which financial careers may be connected to their qualifications can search the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer.
The platform contains South African OFO careers and thousands of SAQA qualification records, helping users investigate how qualifications can connect with occupational pathways.
Who Can Apply?
According to Citi’s official requirements, applicants should have:
- obtained an undergraduate qualification with a GPA/academic average of 65% or above, or hold a Master’s degree in any discipline;
- no more than one year of work experience, although previous work experience is not required;
- strong leadership abilities;
- teamwork skills;
- good communication skills; and
- an interest in developing professionally within the financial services industry.
An Accounting qualification is considered an added advantage.
One particularly important point is that Citi does not restrict the programme to one undergraduate discipline.
The vacancy states that candidates may have an undergraduate or Master’s degree in any discipline, provided they meet the academic requirements.
Applicants should therefore not automatically exclude themselves simply because their degree title does not contain the words “Finance” or “Banking.”
The important question is whether you satisfy Citi’s advertised requirements and can demonstrate the analytical ability, motivation and interest required for the programme.
Is Work Experience Required?
No extensive work experience is required.
Citi states that a maximum of one year of work experience is acceptable, but previous work experience is not required.
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to newly qualified graduates trying to secure their first substantial professional workplace opportunity.
However, having little or no work experience does not mean applicants should submit an empty CV.
Your CV can still demonstrate:
- university projects;
- academic achievements;
- leadership positions;
- student societies;
- volunteering;
- tutoring;
- part-time employment;
- vacation work;
- research projects;
- competitions;
- entrepreneurship; and
- relevant technical and digital skills.
The objective is to demonstrate what you have already done with the opportunities available to you.
Skills Citi Is Looking For
Citi identifies several characteristics and competencies it considers important for prospective graduates.
These include:
- commitment to personal growth and career development;
- willingness to learn;
- ability to succeed within team environments;
- strong communication skills;
- planning skills;
- organisational ability;
- analytical ability;
- quantitative skills;
- interest in developing a deep understanding of the financial industry; and
- commitment to integrity and ethical decision-making.
Knowledge of the global or domestic business environment is preferred but is not listed as a mandatory requirement.
That distinction matters.
Applicants should separate Citi’s actual minimum requirements from additional attributes that may strengthen an application.
Documents You Must Attach
Citi specifically instructs applicants to attach their:
-
Updated CV
Make sure your contact details, qualifications, academic achievements, skills and relevant experience are current.
-
Cover Letter
Your cover letter should explain why you are interested in Citi, financial markets and the graduate programme.
Avoid submitting a generic cover letter that could have been sent to any company.
-
Full Academic Transcripts
Because Citi requires an academic performance of at least 65%, your academic transcript is an important part of the application.
-
South African ID
Applicants are instructed to include their identification document when applying.
Prepare these documents before starting the online application.
A Postgraduate Qualification Is Sponsored
One of the most significant features mentioned in the official Citi advertisement is that graduates are sponsored for a postgraduate qualification during their year of work, relevant to their area.
This means participants can potentially combine practical professional experience with further academic development.
Citi does not specify the exact postgraduate qualification in the advertisement.
Applicants should therefore not assume that everyone receives the same qualification.
The official wording indicates that the qualification is relevant to the graduate’s area of work.
Can Graduates Apply for Permanent Citi Jobs?
Yes.
Citi states that graduates are allowed to apply for permanent positions during the year.
This should not be interpreted as a guarantee of permanent employment.
Instead, participants may compete for available permanent opportunities while completing the programme.
Selection for any permanent vacancy would still depend on Citi’s recruitment requirements and processes.
Careers This Programme Could Help You Explore
Because this programme sits within Markets and Equities, graduates may want to investigate career pathways connected to areas such as:
- financial markets;
- investment analysis;
- economics;
- banking;
- accounting;
- financial analysis;
- securities;
- investment management;
- risk;
- quantitative analysis; and
- broader financial services.
Use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to investigate South African careers, OFO occupations, NQF levels and SAQA qualifications.
Instead of viewing the Citi programme as an isolated application, graduates should understand where the opportunity could fit within their longer-term career pathway.
Still Studying? Use the Edupstairs University Explorer
This particular Citi opportunity is aimed at graduates, so applicants who are still completing Matric or deciding what to study should first investigate appropriate higher-education pathways.
The Edupstairs University Explorer helps prospective students investigate South African universities, programmes, admission requirements, APS requirements and application resources.
Students interested in eventually entering banking or financial markets could investigate qualifications in fields such as:
- Accounting;
- Finance;
- Economics;
- Investment Management;
- Mathematics;
- Statistics;
- Data Science;
- Computer Science;
- Business Science;
- Commerce; and
- related disciplines.
However, remember that Citi’s current advertisement states that applicants may hold an undergraduate or Master’s degree in any discipline.
The fields above are therefore career-planning examples, not additional Citi requirements.
What About TVET College Students?
The current Citi Markets Graduate Learnership specifically requires applicants to have obtained an undergraduate qualification with at least 65%, or a Master’s degree.
TVET students should therefore not assume that an N6 qualification automatically satisfies this particular graduate requirement.
Instead, TVET students can use the Edupstairs TVET College Explorer to investigate programmes available through South Africa’s 50 public TVET Colleges.
Students and graduates can also use the Edupstairs SETA Platform to find learnerships, internships, Work Integrated Learning programmes, graduate programmes, apprenticeships, skills programmes and other workplace-development pathways across South Africa’s 21 SETAs.
Explore BANKSETA and Financial-Sector Development Opportunities
Because Citi operates within banking and financial services, graduates interested in this sector should also understand the role of skills development within South Africa’s financial industry.
The Edupstairs SETA Platform includes workplace and skills-development pathways across the country’s SETAs, including financial-sector opportunities.
For example, the platform includes dedicated work-readiness programmes and graduate placement programmes that graduates can investigate alongside employer-specific opportunities.
This is important because graduates should avoid depending on a single application.
A stronger strategy is:
Qualification → Career Research → Graduate Programme → Workplace Experience → Professional Development → Permanent Employment
How to Apply for the Citi South Africa Learnership Graduate Programme 2026
Applications must be submitted through Citi’s official recruitment system.
Apply Online for the Citi South Africa Learnership Graduate Programme 2026
Before submitting your application, make sure you have prepared your:
- updated CV;
- tailored cover letter;
- complete academic transcript; and
- ID document.
Do not submit your application before checking that all required attachments have uploaded correctly.
How to Strengthen Your Citi Application
Competition for major banking graduate programmes can be substantial, so applicants should make their applications specific.
Understand Citi
Research the organisation and understand the type of financial services it provides.
Understand Markets
You do not need to pretend to be a financial-markets expert.
However, if you are applying to a Markets programme, you should understand basic concepts around equities, financial markets, investments and major economic developments.
Know Why You Want This Programme
Prepare to explain why you want to work in financial services and why the Markets environment interests you.
Prepare Examples of Teamwork
Citi specifically highlights teamwork.
Think about situations from university projects, employment, sport, student organisations or volunteering where you worked successfully with others.
Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
Markets roles can require strong analytical and quantitative ability.
Use examples from your academic work, research, projects or other experiences to demonstrate how you analyse information and solve problems.
Keep Up With Business and Economic Developments
Citi lists knowledge of the domestic or global business landscape as preferred.
Start following credible financial and economic news so that you understand developments affecting South Africa and international markets.
Latest Internships and Graduate Opportunities on Edupstairs
Do not stop applying after submitting your Citi application.
Several other internship, WIL and graduate opportunities have recently been published on Edupstairs.
Takealot Internships 2026 – X11 Opportunities for N6 & NCV Applicants
Takealot is recruiting across several internship areas, including Business Management, Catalogue, Facilities, Health and Safety, Marketplace, Learning and Development and related functions.
Discovery HR Administrator WIL Programme 2026 for TVET N6 HR Students
This workplace-learning opportunity is relevant to eligible TVET N6 Human Resource Management students seeking practical workplace exposure.
Marsh Graduate Programme 2027
The Marsh graduate programme provides another route for graduates interested in areas connected to risk, insurance, finance, engineering, law and technology.
iMasFinance Learning and Development Internship Programme 2026
The iMasFinance programme offers HR-related graduates workplace exposure in Learning and Development and advertises a monthly allowance of R6,000.
Feltex Finance Graduate Training Programme 2026
Finance and Accounting graduates can also investigate the Feltex graduate opportunity based in Rosslyn, Gauteng.
UNISA Finance Asset Management Internship Programme 2026
This opportunity provides another pathway for qualifying graduates interested in finance and asset-management-related workplace experience.
Office of the Chief Justice Graduate Internship Programme 2026
The Office of the Chief Justice programme offers multiple graduate internship opportunities within the public sector.
Applicants should continue checking the latest Edupstairs opportunities because new internships, graduate programmes, learnerships and workplace opportunities are published regularly.
Official Requirements vs Edupstairs Guidance
It is important to distinguish between Citi’s requirements and additional Edupstairs career guidance.
Official Citi Requirements
Citi states that applicants should have:
- an undergraduate qualification with an academic result of at least 65%, or a Master’s degree in any discipline;
- no more than one year of work experience;
- strong leadership, teamwork and communication abilities;
- an updated CV;
- a cover letter;
- full academic transcripts; and
- an ID document.
An Accounting qualification is an added advantage.
Edupstairs Guidance
Recommendations about researching financial careers, exploring universities, investigating TVET alternatives, using the SETA Platform, learning about BANKSETA pathways, following financial news and tailoring your CV are additional Edupstairs guidance.
They should not be interpreted as additional requirements imposed by Citi.
Tools you may find useful:
- Money Finder
- SETA Platform
- RDP / BNG Housing Eligibility Checker
- SASSA Grant Eligibility Checker
- SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
- Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
- SA Bursary & NSFAS Eligibility Checker
- UIF Benefits Eligibility Checker and Payment Estimator
View Other Employment Opportunities here
Need Help?
Edupstairs Advice
The Citi South Africa Learnership Graduate Programme 2026 is particularly significant for graduates interested in entering a major international financial institution.
Three features deserve attention.
First, Citi accepts undergraduate or Master’s graduates from any discipline, provided the academic requirement is met.
Second, previous work experience is not required, making the programme accessible to newly qualified graduates.
Third, the programme combines workplace exposure with a postgraduate study component and allows participants to apply for permanent Citi vacancies during their year in the programme.
But do not approach this as simply another online application.
If you want to work in Markets, start learning about Markets.
Understand equities.
Follow economic developments.
Understand what happens when interest rates, inflation, currencies and economic expectations change.
Research Citi.
Then make sure your CV and cover letter clearly demonstrate your academic performance, analytical ability, teamwork, communication skills and motivation to develop within financial services.
Most importantly, continue applying elsewhere.
Use the Career & Qualification Explorer to understand where your qualification can lead, the University Explorer to investigate further-study pathways, the TVET College Explorer for vocational alternatives and the SETA Platform to discover additional workplace-development opportunities.
One application should be part of your job-search strategy — not your entire strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the Citi South Africa Learnership Graduate Programme 2026?
It is a one-year graduate development and workplace experience programme offered by Citi South Africa.
-
Where is the programme based?
The position is based in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
-
How long is the programme?
Citi describes it as a year-long Learnership Programme.
-
Which department will successful graduates join?
Successful candidates for this vacancy will be placed in Equities, Markets.
-
What academic result do I need?
Citi states that applicants should have obtained an undergraduate qualification with a 65% or higher academic result, or hold a Master’s degree.
-
Which degree do I need?
The advertisement states an undergraduate or Master’s degree in any discipline. An Accounting qualification is listed as an added advantage.
-
Do I need previous work experience?
No. Work experience is not required. Citi accepts applicants with a maximum of one year of previous work experience.
-
What documents must I submit?
Applicants should attach an updated CV, cover letter, full academic transcripts and ID.
-
Does Citi pay for further studies?
The vacancy states that participants are sponsored for a postgraduate qualification during the year, relevant to their area of work.
-
Does the learnership guarantee permanent employment?
No. Citi states that graduates may apply for permanent positions during the programme, but this should not be interpreted as guaranteed permanent employment.
-
Can TVET N6 graduates apply?
The advertised requirement specifies an undergraduate qualification with at least 65% or a Master’s degree. Applicants with TVET qualifications should therefore verify whether they independently satisfy the advertised academic requirement rather than assuming an N6 is equivalent.
TVET applicants can use the TVET College Explorer and SETA Platform to investigate alternative WIL, internship and learnership opportunities.
-
Where can I explore financial careers?
Use the Career & Qualification Explorer to research careers, OFO occupations, SAQA qualifications and career-to-qualification pathways.
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
Application Outcome Tracker (anonymous)
No names collected. This helps future applicants understand real-world timelines.
Have you applied for this opportunity?
Disclaimer
This article is an Edupstairs Opportunity Explainer based primarily on the official Citi South Africa Learnership Graduate Program – Market, South Africa – Johannesburg, 2026 vacancy published through Citi Careers.
Vacancies may be updated, withdrawn, filled or amended by the employer. Applicants must therefore verify the current status of the programme, eligibility requirements and application instructions on the official Citi recruitment platform before submitting an application.
Edupstairs does not recruit candidates on behalf of Citi, receive applications for Citi or guarantee interviews, learnership placements or permanent employment.
Never pay anyone who claims they can secure a Citi learnership, interview or job for you.
Editorial Integrity
The programme title, Job Req ID, Johannesburg location, one-year duration, Markets/Equities placement, academic requirement, work-experience requirement, postgraduate study provision, required application documents and skills discussed in this article are based on Citi’s official recruitment advertisement.
Career suggestions, application preparation guidance and links to the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer, University Explorer, TVET College Explorer, SETA Platform and recently published opportunities are additional Edupstairs guidance designed to help applicants make informed education and career decisions.
Where Citi has not disclosed information in the official advertisement, Edupstairs does not invent it.
EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY
