What is the Network Rail apprenticeship application process?

Network Rail's own careers pages describe 5 stages: Application form, then Online assessment (scenarios plus video interview), then Engagement, then Assessment, then Outcome.

Does Network Rail sponsor visas for graduates?

Says it is unlikely to progress applications that would need sponsorship, and published pay backs that up

Network Rail early careers: how to get in

Last checked 2026-10-03 against Network Rail's own careers pages. Every stage below links to where it was read. GoRizzume is independent and not affiliated with Network Rail. How we check

At a glance

Graduate Schemegraduate scheme
No published deadlineVisa sponsorship: Not published
Graduate Schemes (for example the Civil Engineering Graduate Scheme)graduate scheme
No published deadlineVisa sponsorship: No
Apprenticeships across engineering, finance, business and ITapprenticeship
No published deadlineVisa sponsorship: Not published5 stages
Undergraduate Placement / Year in Industryplacement
No published deadlineVisa sponsorship: No

How Network Rail recruits

2026 apprenticeship cycle (opened February 2026, September 2026 start); 2027 not yet published. 5 stages, from Network Rail's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where Network Rail names them.

Application form
Application form
Form checking minimum criteria such as travel distance, education and right to live and work in the UK.
“This form collects the information we need to ensure you meet our minimum criteria such as travel distance, educational attainment and right to live and work in the UK.”
Source
Online assessment (scenarios plus video interview)
Situational judgement test
Scenario-based online assessment of how you work, which includes a recorded video interview about you and your interests.
“This is an assessment presenting you with scenarios to assess how you work. As part of this we'll ask you to complete a video interview designed to help us learn more about you and your interests.”
Source
Engagement
Other stage
Candidates are asked to engage and learn more about the apprenticeship throughout the process.
“Throughout the process, we'll be asking you to engage with us and find out more about the apprenticeship opportunity.”
Source
Assessment
Final interview
A virtual or in-person event consisting of a straightforward interview.
“These will be virtual or in-person, depending on the scheme you apply to. The event will consists of a straightforward interview.”
Source
Outcome
Offer
Outcome is given once all assessment centres for the scheme are complete.
“We'll let you know the outcome of your application, as soon as all the assessment centres for your scheme are complete.”
Source

Visa sponsorship

Graduate Scheme
Graduate scheme page fully accessible, no visa or salary statement
Graduate Schemes
Says it is unlikely to progress applications that would need sponsorship, and published pay backs that up
“We're unlikely to progress applications where sponsorship is needed.”
Apprenticeships across engineering, finance, business
Network Rail advertises apprenticeships across engineering, finance, business and IT, but publishes no eligibility rules on nationality, residency or visa sponsorship.
“engineering to finance, business to IT”
Undergraduate Placement / Year in Industry
Network Rail's early careers FAQ tells students on a visa to sort their own status before applying.
“You'll need to have the right to work in the UK. If you currently have a student visa, you will need to apply for a Graduate visa once you've finished studying in order to join us.”

Network Rail on the Home Office sponsor register

This is general information, not immigration advice. Check gov.uk and the employer's own FAQ before you apply: rules change.

Common questions

What is the Network Rail apprenticeship application process?: Network Rail's own careers pages describe 5 stages: Application form, then Online assessment (scenarios plus video interview), then Engagement, then Assessment, then Outcome.
Does Network Rail sponsor visas for graduates?: Says it is unlikely to progress applications that would need sponsorship, and published pay backs that up

Related guides

All interview and assessment guides

Other schemes we track

Deadlines, stages and tests for each scheme. Not affiliated with any firm.

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UCL
BPP University
King's College London
University of Leeds
University of London
Kingston University
Northumbria University
University of Bath
University of Manchester
Bangor University
Birmingham City University
Bournemouth University
Comsats University Islamabad
Durham University
Glasgow Caledonian University
LSE
Nottingham Trent University
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University of Bradford
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GoRizzume is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Network Rail. Names are used only to identify Network Rail's recruitment process. Practice in GoRizzume is original material written in the style of common assessment formats, not the employer's or provider's actual tests. Processes change, so always check Network Rail's official careers site before applying.

Sponsorship data: Home Office register + job ad wording. Not immigration advice, verify on gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we check this data.