Underwriting apprenticeships

Get into the detail.

Build a career playing a vital role in our business.

Underwriting. What’s it all about?

At Aviva, we’re best known for our home and motor insurance. But we offer all sorts of other insurance too. For example, Commercial Insurance is the kind that businesses take out to cover the risks they face.

Whatever the type of insurance, there are lots of factors that affect how much it costs. This includes the type of cover being provided, the likelihood of something bad happening, the value of what’s being insured, and the customer’s history of making claims in the past.

Our underwriters take all this, and more, into account. They assess whether it’s something we’d be comfortable to insure and, if so, how much we would charge our customer for it.

It’s an essential job. One that requires an analytical mind, along with brilliant negotiation and quite a bit of creative thinking. If this sounds like the kind of role you’d thrive in, then our apprenticeship could be the perfect first step.

Applications for the Underwriting apprentice pathway are now closed.

Let your skills shine

What sets our apprenticeships apart is the sheer variety of experiences and challenges you can find here. All our apprentices earn a salary as they learn invaluable new skills and work towards professional qualifications. So, wherever you are in your working life, this is a great way to build a fantastic career.

Our Level 4 Apprenticeships (which is equivalent to a foundation degree) typically takes 24 months to complete. From there, we’ll help you design the way you want to develop.

Along with formal study time, you’ll learn on the job, gaining real-life experience working within our expert teams. Which means you’ll be empowered to own your work, but you won’t do it alone. You’ll have supportive people all around you, every step of the way.

Why Aviva?

You might think we’re just another boring insurance firm, but nothing could be further from the truth. We don’t show up for work in pressed suits and shiny shoes. At Aviva, we’re proud to be different. Proud to say that we’re a diverse mix of cultures, genders, ages, perspectives, and ideas.

Most important of all, we’re an organisation with a purpose. We want to lead the way forward in our sector, which is why we focus on being the best we can be. Every day. Together, we’re building a better tomorrow with a little help – a lot, actually – from our future leaders.

No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what your interests are, you can be sure there’s a place for you at Aviva. We’re passionate and committed, just like you are; we’re the first major insurer worldwide to target Net Zero carbon by 2040 and we’re committed to the community too – we’re aiming for £10bn UK infrastructure and real estate investment.

Experience different aspects of underwriting

We don’t expect you to have had any previous underwriting experience – our structured programme will teach you everything you need to know. Right now, we are more interested in your passion, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn.

As an Underwriting Apprentice here, you’ll be working alongside and learning from some of the most skilled underwriters in commercial insurance. We will teach you how to work with our customers and you’ll get to spend time building relationships with our brokers (and other parts of the business), helping secure new business while ensuring our existing customers get the best solutions, tailored to their wants and needs.

Everything you do will have an impact on Aviva and our customers, so you’ll need to be passionate about delivering the best service and results. At the same time, we’ll sponsor your continued studies as you work towards becoming a qualified underwriter.

You’ll spend 80% of your time working in the role and 20% working towards accredited qualifications. These studies will be with a national training provider and usually take three years to complete.

In your first year, you’ll follow our in-house training plan and complete a Certificate in Insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute.

If you’re based in England, you’ll spend your second and third year working towards your Level 4 Insurance Professional Apprenticeship qualification. You’ll also gain a Diploma in Insurance from the Chartered Insurance Institute.

If you’re based in Scotland, you’ll work towards a SCQF Level 8 Insurance Technical in your second and third year as well as your Diploma in Insurance.

Throughout, you’ll be working alongside a community of highly skilled and experienced professionals who will be on hand to support and encourage you every step of the way. This is a brilliant learning environment – a place where everyone is welcome to share ideas, ask questions, and seek out advice.

Nighttime shot of the Clyde Arc bridge in Glasgow, Scotland

Where you’ll be based

Not all role types are available in every location so you may need to be flexible and willing to relocate if you don’t currently live within commuting distance.

We have open Underwriting Apprentice opportunities in Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, London, and Manchester.

Join us, and after your training and induction period, it is likely you’ll balance time in the office with working from home. We call this Smart Working. When you join us, your leader will take time to discuss this with you and agree what works best for you, your team, and Aviva.

Belfast Birmingham Glasgow

London Manchester

What you'll need

To join us on this apprenticeship, you’ll need (or be on track to achieve) at least two A-Levels or three Scottish Highers. Or have an equivalent Level 3 qualification.

You will also need at least five GCSEs or Scottish National 5s at grades A*-C (9-4) or have equivalent qualifications. These must include English and Maths.

Alongside that, we’re looking for people who:

Are confident communicators
Can adapt well to different tasks and situations
Are able to work independently and as part of a team.

What you’ll get

Great starting salary

We offer a starting salary of £23,900.

Wellbeing and flexible working

We offer everything from healthy eating initiatives, health checks, and exercise classes through to products, policies, and support designed to help people stay healthy. And our smart working initiative gives our people the chance to work from home.

Professional qualifications

You’ll get your apprenticeship training, plus additional role-related qualifications as part of a structured development programme.

Great support network

Expect great managers, mentors, and buddies who’ll help you grow into your role and support you every step of the way. Plus, you’ll be part of our Aviva apprentice community.

Opportunities to get involved

We love to give back to our local communities, so we offer everyone up to 21 hours of paid work time to volunteer for good causes or to get involved in things like education or outreach programmes.

Self-learning

We’re big on empowerment, so we have a self-led learning culture. As part of that, we provide digital access to all sorts of useful on-demand learning content.

Bonus and discounts

You’ll get a bonus if you achieve what we’re looking for from an individual and company perspective. Plus, you’ll get up to 40% off a selection of products for yourself and your family through MyAviva Extras.

Annual leave

25 days of holiday, plus bank holidays.

Meet our apprentices

Jack

Jake

Jen

Application process

During the application process, we’ll want to hear about what you enjoy doing and what you are good at. And it goes without saying you’ll need to feel a connection with our values.

Sounds good? Great. Here’s what you need to do now.

If we can help to make the process smoother for you with any additional support or reasonable adjustments, please just let us know by emailing avivaearlycareers@aviva.com.

Step 1 – Apply online

For the initial online application, we’ll ask you to attach a copy of your CV and answer a short questionnaire about your motivations for this programme. We want to hear about what you enjoy doing, what you are good at, and of course, what appeals to you about working at Aviva.

Step 2 – Online tests

If you’re shortlisted, the next stage is online testing. We ask everyone to complete a numerical reasoning and situation strengths test. If you’re someone who likes to prepare, you’ll be pleased to know you can do a practice test before attempting the real thing.

Step 3 – Video interview

If you pass the online tests, you will be sent a link to complete a video interview. This is where we learn more about you and explore your motivations for choosing a role at Aviva.

Step 4– Assessment day

If you do well, you’ll be invited to a virtual assessment day where you’ll get to show what you can do. Impress us and you’ll be offered the role. Most of our positions will start in September 2024. We’ll keep in contact with you between the time you receive your offer and start in your role, where you can expect a warm welcome.

We currently have
187 roles across
12 locations, organised into
12 teams.

If we can help to make the process smoother for you with any additional support or reasonable adjustments, please let us know by contacting us on 0121 234 7609 or emailing myrecruitment@aviva.com. If you are seeking support for an early careers role please contact avivaearlycareers@aviva.com.

Images were taken before the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing measures.

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