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Applying to M&S in 2026? Looking to practice for the M&S hiring process and assessment tests? This guide walks you through the entire process; application, interviews, assessment questions and answers, and assessment centre.
Our website offers scientifically proven practice assessment tests, interviews, and assessment centre exercises to help you prepare for every stage of the M&S hiring process.
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Not sure if you should practice for the M&S interview process and online assessments? Research shows that 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.
A study found that candidates who do not practise assessments tend to fail at the first hurdle of psychometric assessments (54-84%). This study looked at the Top 100 global employers. Bradley et al., 2019.
In a nutshell:
The M&S hiring process assesses your technical, non-technical, and behavioural skills. The tests vary by role and may include:
Prepare for your M&S video interview by recording yourself responding to some common mock interview questions.
To prepare for your M&S video interview, you can practice with:
Use the STAR+R method to structure your answers, and practise each response several times.
Our video interview practice platform offers competency-based practice to help you prepare for M&S online assessments. It mimics the format used by popular employer interview platforms like HireVue and Pymetrics.
The M&S assessment centre is the last stage of the hiring process to select top candidates. These may include:
Stay calm and speak clearly during your M&S interview. Recruiters at Marks and Spencer will pay attention to your body language and the quality of your answers.
Keep reading for key insights and answers about the M&S hiring process and what to expect in your job interview.
Want access to the most relevant M&S online assessments for the hiring process? Practice our tests below to boost your performance.
Practice Numerical Reasoning Tests
Practice Verbal Reasoning Tests
Practice Situational Judgement Tests
Practice Work Personality Questionnaire
Practice Video Interviews
Prepare for your Assessment Centre
Go Premium to unlock every practice assessment listed above and pass your Marks and Spencer online test on your first try.
Before we get into the application steps, let us start with the basics: who are M&S?
Marks and Spencer (M&S) is a major UK retailer known for quality clothing and food. Founded in 1884, it now operates over 1,000 stores and employs more than 90,000 people, with ongoing recruitment as the business continues to grow.
M&S was the first UK retailer to surpass £1 billion in pre-tax profits. The company expects high standards and rewards people who are quick, curious, and aim high. With over 32 million customers worldwide, M&S jobs offer the chance to grow, contribute, and build a meaningful career.
The M&S job roles cover a wide range of positions, and these are some you can apply for.
It is important to understand M&S’ core values before applying for any role. Aligning your Marks and Spencer job application and cover letter with these values will strengthen your chances of getting hired.
The M&S core values define how the retailer operates and what it expects from its employees. Diversity, inclusion, and respect are central to Marks and Spencer’s culture.
Here are the key values that shape it:
Inclusion and Diversity:
Marks and Spencer tries to make everyone feel included. They put real effort into supporting underrepresented groups, helping them progress into senior roles, and ensuring that every colleague has a voice.
Employability:
M&S values respect, collaboration, and growth. They help people from all kinds of backgrounds build skills and find work, especially those who might not have had the easiest path.
People Principles:
M&S takes being a responsible employer seriously. They’re clear about how they recruit, reward, and communicate. Every employee is encouraged to share their views and take accountability. The idea is that fairness and transparency should guide decisions.
Colleague Wellbeing:
M&S puts a lot of weight on the well-being of its colleagues. They want people to feel supported, stay healthy, and grow their careers while building long-term career growth.
The Marks and Spencer values play a key role in every job across the company.
Now that you understand the M&S core values, let’s move on to the M&S online application stage and what the Marks and Spencer hiring process involves..
The M&S online application is the first step of the hiring process. You’ll need to create a user account on the careers website before accessing the M&S job application form. Creating an account also allows you to browse other M&S job openings and track your application progress.
You’ll be asked to provide the following details:
M&S Online Application FormSource: M&S Website
Good to Know: The in-store M&S interview lets managers get to know you while you decide if Marks and Spencer is the right fit for you. You only need one application per store, but you can mention other roles you’re interested in during your interview.
Want to know how to ace the M&S online application stage? Here are five key tips to help you succeed.
I’ve found that following these tips can make a real difference in your application.
Watch this short video for expert guidance on how to prepare and answer questions effectively on the Marks and Spencer application form:
If you pass this stage, the M&S recruitment team will contact you to move on to the next step, which is the Marks and Spencer online assessments.
The M&S online assessment, provided by Clevry, is the next step after you submit your application. These tests assess how you think, how you work, and how your personality fits the role you’re applying for.
Keep in mind that the Marks and Spencer assessments vary by role and may include one or more of the following:
Now, let’s discuss each of the M&S assessment tests in detail, starting with the M&S numerical reasoning test.
The M&S numerical reasoning test measures your ability to understand, interpret, and analyse numerical data you’d normally use at work. It’s especially important for applicants pursuing Marks and Spencer finance or audit roles.
The duration of the M&S numerical reasoning test varies by role but typically lasts between 10 and 30 minutes. In most cases, you’ll answer 18 multiple-choice questions within 25 minutes.
The Marks and Spencer numerical assessment presents data in tables, charts, or graphs, requiring you to perform calculations and select the correct answer. You’re allowed to use a calculator during this test.
Practice FREE M&S numerical reasoning test questions with GF to gain an edge over other candidates, or try the Marks and Spencer–style numerical reasoning questions we’ve prepared below!
Free M&S-style Numerical Reasoning Practice Questions
Here’s some free sample questions to help you get familiar with the format and difficulty level of the M&S numerical reasoning test.
Numerical Reasoning Test
This test assesses your numerical reasoning ability using data in charts, tables and figures. Look at each chart or table provided for each question, and use the information in these to work out the correct answer.
You have 5 options from which to choose from. Only one of these options is the correct answer.
1 / 5
Which country had the lowest number of mortgage approvals across the 6 years?
2 / 5
What was the total (approximate) number of mortgage approvals for the USA and Italy combined, through the years 2005 to 2007 inclusive?
3 / 5
Approximately, what percentage of the RDA for “Salt” will an individual fulfil if they consume 3 packets of “Pickled Onion” Crisps?
4 / 5
Approximately, how much energy (kcal) would the consumption of 3 packets of “BBQ” crisps and 2 packets of “Pickled Onion” crisps produce?
5 / 5
What percentage of all mortgages approved across the 5 countries in 2008, were due to Italy?
Restart quiz
Now, take a look at our top five tips to help you pass this M&S assessment!
Here are seven practical tips to help you prepare effectively and boost your score on the M&S numerical reasoning assessment.
Looking for more practice M&S-style numerical reasoning questions?
Let’s move on to the M&S verbal reasoning test and go over the key details you need to know.
The M&S verbal reasoning test measures your ability to read, understand, and interpret written information. In this Marks and Spencer online assessment, you’ll review short passages or reports and answer related questions to show your comprehension and reasoning skills.
The M&S verbal reasoning test typically lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. In most cases, it’s an SHL Verify Test made up of 30 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 19 minutes.
You will read ten short passages, each followed by three questions that ask you to decide whether a statement is true, false, or cannot say based on the text. With just over a minute and a half per set, this Marks and Spencer verbal reasoning assessment tests both accuracy and speed under pressure.
Give yourself an edge by practicing FREE verbal reasoning test questions with GF, or attempt these M&S-style verbal reasoning test questions below, designed by our experts.
FREE M&S-style Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions
Here’s some sample questions to give you an idea of what the M&S verbal reasoning test looks like.
Verbal Reasoning Test
This test assesses your verbal reasoning ability using information provided in passages of text. Read the passage of text and look at each question, which is provided as a statement, to determine whether:
More needs to be done to capitalise on the power of the peer-to-peer networks that many music downloaders still use. A recent study found that regular downloaders of unlicensed music spent an average of £5.52 a month on legal digital music. This compares to just £1.27 spent by other music fans. The research clearly shows that music fans who break piracy laws are highly valuable customers. It also suggests that they are eager to adopt legitimate music services in the future. One researcher pointed out that “There’s a myth that all illegal downloaders are mercenaries hell-bent on breaking the law in pursuit of free music.” In reality hardcore fans “are extremely enthusiastic” about paid-for services, as long as they are suitably compelling, he said. The biggest music fans are happy to pay for the music they enjoy.
More needs to be done to capitalise on the power of the peer-to-peer networks that many music downloaders still use. A recent study found that regular downloaders of unlicensed music spent an average of £5.52 a month on legal digital music. This compares to just £1.27 spent by other music fans. The research clearly shows that music fans who break piracy laws are highly valuable customers. It also suggests that they are eager to adopt legitimate music services in the future. One researcher pointed out that “There’s a myth that all illegal downloaders are mercenaries hell-bent on breaking the law in pursuit of free music.” In reality hardcore fans “are extremely enthusiastic” about paid-for services, as long as they are suitably compelling, he said. The most valuable customers are those who do not break the piracy laws.
More needs to be done to capitalise on the power of the peer-to-peer networks that many music downloaders still use. A recent study found that regular downloaders of unlicensed music spent an average of £5.52 a month on legal digital music. This compares to just £1.27 spent by other music fans. The research clearly shows that music fans who break piracy laws are highly valuable customers. It also suggests that they are eager to adopt legitimate music services in the future. One researcher pointed out that “There’s a myth that all illegal downloaders are mercenaries hell-bent on breaking the law in pursuit of free music.” In reality hardcore fans “are extremely enthusiastic” about paid-for services, as long as they are suitably compelling, he said. Law breakers spend more on music than law abiders.
More needs to be done to capitalise on the power of the peer-to-peer networks that many music downloaders still use. A recent study found that regular downloaders of unlicensed music spent an average of £5.52 a month on legal digital music. This compares to just £1.27 spent by other music fans. The research clearly shows that music fans who break piracy laws are highly valuable customers. It also suggests that they are eager to adopt legitimate music services in the future. One researcher pointed out that “There’s a myth that all illegal downloaders are mercenaries hell-bent on breaking the law in pursuit of free music.” In reality hardcore fans “are extremely enthusiastic” about paid-for services, as long as they are suitably compelling, he said. People who download unlicensed music tend not to buy legal digital music.
More needs to be done to capitalise on the power of the peer-to-peer networks that many music downloaders still use. A recent study found that regular downloaders of unlicensed music spent an average of £5.52 a month on legal digital music. This compares to just £1.27 spent by other music fans. The research clearly shows that music fans who break piracy laws are highly valuable customers. It also suggests that they are eager to adopt legitimate music services in the future. One researcher pointed out that “There’s a myth that all illegal downloaders are mercenaries hell-bent on breaking the law in pursuit of free music.” In reality hardcore fans “are extremely enthusiastic” about paid-for services, as long as they are suitably compelling, he said. Most music fans spend over £5 a month on legal digital music.
Now that you know what to expect, let’s look at how to boost your score on the M&S verbal reasoning test.
Here are five practical tips to help you prepare effectively and boost your performance on the M&S verbal reasoning assessment.
Looking for more M&S verbal reasoning test prep?
These tips can improve your performance on the M&S verbal reasoning test.
Now, let’s move on to the M&S situational judgement test.
The M&S situational judgement test evaluates your decision-making and problem-solving skills. You’ll be presented with realistic workplace scenarios and asked to choose how you’d respond from several options. This assessment helps determine how closely your values align with the M&S core values.
This M&S online assessment is also called the talent screener. It isn’t timed, so you can take your time to think through each situation carefully. There are no right or wrong answers. Your success depends on how well your responses reflect the M&S core values and competencies outlined in your application.
Good to Know: The M&S retail instant chat scenarios assessment is a situational judgment test that presents chat-style customer scenarios. You’ll choose the best responses based on Marks and Spencer’s values and service standards.
Don’t miss our quick video below for even more insights into a typical M&S situational judgement test!
Next, let’s take a look at some example scenarios in a situational judgement test used by companies such as M&S.
FREE M&S-style Situational Judgment Example Questions
Here’s some M&S situational judgment test example questions created by our experts to help you explore what to expect in the test.
Situational Judgement Test
This test provides you with various work-related scenarios that require some action. Each scenario provides four different courses of action from which you are required to choose two options; one to indicate the “best” course of action given the situation and one to indicate the “worst” course of action.
You work as an IT Specialist for a large electronics retailer. You have been made aware of certain glitches within the stock check system that manages and automatically requests deliveries to each store. Your management are concerned as this issue has never occurred before and may result in over-stocking or no stocking at all for approximately 74 stores. You do not have much clarity on the cause of this problem. What do you do?
Option A
Identify the error logs and explore the information within. Consider the timings of the problems and when they were reported, the location of the stores, and whether these particular stores have specific exclusive products in their stock. Share this information with your team to get a quick resolution.
Option B
Contact the providers of the system and ask them to give guidance on what to do next.
Option C
Ring up each store that is affected and ask them for a detailed log of what they experienced, such that any consistent pattern may emerge.
Option D
Notify all stores via the central notification system that you plan to reboot the stock checking system, as this has previously worked with many machines that run similar software.
Choose one best and one worst answer
You are responsible for running a large-scale project introducing a solar powered plane that can fly unmanned for 6 hours. The launch date is arriving and the marketing division has aligned with what you consider to be a high-risk request from the CEO to run a live test of the new solar plane on TV. You are concerned due to the lack of resources that you have had, and also given that some of your team have been close to burnout working extremely long hours for many months. The day of the event finally arrives. On the day of the event, the media presence is greater than anticipated. The launch is successful during take-off, however, after only 40 minutes, the plane plunges and the mission fails. The media are asking for a press conference, what do you do?
Explain the challenges you and your team have faced with being under-resourced and overworked.
Apologise and take full responsibility for the failure of the project. Defend any criticism of your team, and assure the audience that next time the mission will succeed.
Whilst your team has been overworked and under-resourced, it is directly their work that led to the project being unsuccessful. Apologise on their behalf.
Explain that the circumstances of the day were unfortunate and that you will be conducting a full investigation to understand what went wrong and who should be held responsible.
You are working as a Manager in a large supermarket. As you wander along some of the aisles you decide to spend some time observing the behaviour of customers. As you observe, you notice a customer who has walked along the same aisle twice. He appears to be looking for something but has not picked up anything. The customer walks on and away to the next aisle. Clearly, the task at hand is very challenging. What do you do?
Nothing, the customer has probably noticed the product he might want is not on that aisle and has gone on to the next aisle where he will find it.
Approach the customer and ask them if there is anything you can help with.
Get one of your team members to go and ask the customer if they can help with anything.
Follow the customer around to see if they are actually finding the products they need. This might give some insight into whether the products are labelled clearly.
You supervise a team that is responsible for auditing internal departments in order to ensure they comply with company policy and external regulations. You are heavily under-resourced as one of your original team members has recently left the company and today another member of your team has called in sick. To make matters complex, your second-line supervisor has approached you with a high priority request that needs urgent attention. You are aware that you will not be able to deliver on this alone. Given these constraints and pressures, what do you do to move forward now?
Be assertive and push back on the request, explaining to your second-line supervisor that your team is extremely overworked, given you are now two people down.
Take on the request, explaining to your second-line supervisor that the workload is very high with limited resources, but that you will find a way to get this high priority work done. Also explain that if you run into any problems with delivering on time, you may need to reach out for their support in getting temporary help.
Take on the task and assure your second-line supervisor that you will have this done on time, even though you know that this might be unlikely. If you don’t deliver, at least you will have a good reason, and management will then support you in getting additional resources.
Explain your circumstances to the second-line supervisor and let them know you are willing to oversee the task if they can help by providing you with some resources to do this.
You have recently joined a FMCG organisation as a Project Manager. In the third week, you have been given some urgent work that needs to be completed within the next two months. The work will involve significant dependencies on other departments, but will have no dedicated resource other than you, meaning that most of this will have to be completed by your team in-between their normal work duties. The cost for delivery has also been explored and will need to come out of various budgets. Clearly, the task at hand is very challenging. What do you do?
Be assertive and refuse to take on the project as it is unrealistic given the timescales and dependencies, and you do not want to be set up to fail. Management do not fully understand the details of the work required and thus it is your responsibility to manage their expectations.
Take on the work as it is a challenge, and ask the management for dedicated resource and funding. Start by working out who can do what, and take on the majority of the workload yourself.
Start by building a project plan, working backwards from the delivery date and adding ample contingency, particularly around any areas where you are dependent on other teams. Seek out members of teams who will be involved, and get commitment for their availability to factor into the plan. Set up regular update meetings and continually set the expectations of stakeholders.
Set up meetings with various individuals to determine who will form part of the delivery team. Obtain their commitment and delegate most of the accountability of the work to the volunteer leads of each department. Keep a close eye on the project and oversee the weekly deliverables.
Now that you understand what the M&S situational judgement test involves, let’s go through some practical tips to help you perform your best.
Here are five useful tips to help you prepare effectively and make the right choices in the M&S situational judgement test.
Want to practice M&S-style situational judgement questions?
The final stage is the M&S personality questionnaire, a part of the assessment process unique to Marks and Spencer. Let’s take a closer look.5
The M&S personality questionnaire is designed to assess how well you fit the role you’ve applied for. You’ll be presented with statements like “I make new contacts easily” or “I enjoy solving problems” and asked to select the option that best describes you.
Good to Know: People applying for in-store M&S jobs will complete a personality test as part of the application process, and the personality test is usually provided by SHL.
The M&S personality assessment evaluates how closely your personal values align with Marks and Spencer’s core values outlined in the job description. The SHL Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) measures 32 workplace traits to determine your overall fit for the role.
Next, let’s look at an example of a Marks and Spencer personality questionnaire question.
M&S-style Personality Questionnaire Example
Here’s an M&S personality questionnaire example created by our experts to show you what to expect.
Now that you know what to expect from the M&S personality questionnaire, here are some proven strategies to help you perform your best.
Follow these five practical tips to present your strengths authentically and align your responses with M&S values throughout the assessment.
Looking to prepare for your M&S personality questionnaire?
These tips will help you perform strongly in your M&S online assessment tests.
Now, let’s move on to the next stage of the Marks and Spencer hiring process, the M&S competency-based interview.
The M&S competency-based interview is a one-on-one conversation with a member of the Marks and Spencer hiring team, typically conducted over the phone. It’s your chance to show genuine interest in the role and demonstrate why you’re a strong fit for the position.
During the M&S interview, recruiters look for evidence of four key skill areas: strong teamwork experience, clear and confident communication, effective problem-solving, and solid business awareness.
During this stage of the M&S hiring process, I’ve found that you’ll be asked competency-based questions that explore how you’ve developed key skills in past experiences. Before your M&S interview, take time to review the job description, understand M&S values, and prepare good reasons for wanting to join Marks and Spencer.
Now that you know what to expect from the M&S competency-based interview, let’s go over some strategies to help you stand out and impress the hiring team.
Here are seven practical tips to help you prepare effectively and perform confidently in your Marks and Spencer interview.
Watch the short video below for practical tips on how to answer M&S’s competency-based questions.
Keep reading to see some example questions you might face during the M&S competency-based interview.
Good Answer:
Situation:
In my previous role as a customer experience specialist, I once handled a customer who received a faulty product just before a major event where they planned to showcase it. The customer was frustrated and demanded an immediate replacement or refund.
Task:
My goal was to resolve the issue quickly, restore the customer’s trust, and prevent potential negative feedback from spreading online.
Action:
I began by listening carefully and acknowledging the inconvenience. I apologised sincerely and reassured them that I would handle the case personally. After checking our inventory, I arranged for an express replacement to be shipped the same day and provided tracking details. I also offered a small store credit as goodwill. To prevent a recurrence, I flagged the product batch for a quality check and documented the case for internal review.
Result:
The replacement arrived on time, and the customer followed up to thank me for the quick resolution. They later left a positive review about the support experience and became a repeat buyer.
Reflection:
This experience reinforced the importance of empathy and proactive communication in customer service. It taught me that taking ownership and acting fast can turn a negative situation into an opportunity to strengthen customer loyalty.
As a customer support team lead, I was assigned to coordinate customer support for a new product launch on Kickstarter, a major campaign expected to attract thousands of backers within days. We needed to maintain fast, high-quality responses during the launch window to build trust and maintain momentum.
My responsibility was to design and implement a customer support workflow that could handle a surge in inquiries efficiently while maintaining high satisfaction levels throughout the campaign.
I started by mapping out potential customer pain points and prepared a detailed FAQ to reduce repetitive questions. Then, I trained our small team on tone, response time, and escalation procedures using Freshdesk. I also set up automated ticket tagging to prioritise urgent issues like payment or shipping errors. During the campaign, I monitored metrics daily and adjusted response distribution to prevent backlog.
Response times improved by 40%, and customer satisfaction ratings stayed above 95% throughout the campaign. The launch ultimately raised close to $1 million across Kickstarter and Indiegogo, the highest in the company’s history, with customer feedback highlighting the excellent support as a key reason for trust and engagement.
The project taught me that structure and anticipation are key to successful execution. By planning for high demand and empowering the team with clear systems, I learned how to maintain calm and efficiency even under heavy pressure.
Get interview-ready with our video interview practice tool! Register with GF now and practice competency-based questions to prepare for your M&S interviews.
Now let’s move on to the final stage of the Marks and Spencer recruitment process, the M&S assessment centre!
The M&S assessment centre, also known as the Marks and Spencer observation exercise, is designed to evaluate key skills such as problem-solving, leadership, communication, and teamwork. This stage is usually conducted in person at selected M&S offices.
During the M&S assessment centre, you can expect to take part in the following activities:
Keep reading to learn more about what each of these assessment centre exercises entails.
The M&S role-play exercise is an interactive part of the Marks and Spencer assessment centre where candidates act out realistic workplace scenarios with assessors or fellow applicants.
The M&S role-play exercise measures how well you communicate, solve problems, and work with others in real-world situations. It also assesses your ability to stay calm under pressure, show initiative, and demonstrate Marks and Spencer’s core values in customer and team interactions.
Now that you understand what the M&S role-play exercise involves, let’s go over some key strategies to help you perform well.
Here are five practical tips to help you prepare effectively and perform confidently in the M&S role-play exercise.
Get ahead in your M&S role play exercise preparation with GF and discover real experience with how top employers like M&S assess candidates through role play exercises, and gain professional tips to improve your performance against competencies.
That covers the key details of the M&S role-play exercise.
Now, let’s move on to the next stage, the M&S group exercise.
The M&S group exercise is a team-based task where candidates work together to solve a problem or complete an activity. You’ll review the brief on your own, then share ideas and present a solution as a group.
The M&S group exercise measures how well you collaborate, communicate, and make decisions in a team. It looks at how you contribute ideas, handle different viewpoints, and reflect M&S values while working toward a shared goal.
Now that you know what the M&S group exercise involves, here are some strategies to help you stand out and contribute effectively.
Here are five practical tips to help you collaborate effectively and stand out during the M&S group exercise.
Want to practice for the exercises you’ll face on the M&S assessment day? Try our tailored preparation tools to get hands-on experience.
That wraps up the different assessments in the M&S assessment centre.
However, if you’re applying for the M&S Graduate Programme, there’s one final stage, the M&S final interview.
Let’s take a look at what this final interview involves.
The M&S final interview is the last stage of the Marks and Spencer recruitment process for candidates applying to the Graduate, School Leaver, or Industrial Placement programmes. It’s conducted at selected M&S stores and is designed to assess your overall suitability for the role before a final hiring decision is made.
Now that you know what the M&S final interview involves, let’s go over a few strategies to help you leave a strong impression on the interviewers.
Here are five practical tips to help you prepare effectively and perform confidently in your Marks and Spencer final interview.
Next, let’s explore some questions you might face in the M&S final interview, along with strong example answers to guide your preparation.
Prepare for your Marks and Spencer interview with our interview practice tool!
If you pass the M&S final interview, the Marks and Spencer hiring team will contact you with a job offer soon after, allowing you to launch your career with M&S.
Here’s a closer look at the various career paths you can explore within the company.
Marks and Spencer offers a wide range of early career opportunities for graduates, students, school leavers, and those looking for a fresh start. These programmes are designed to help you grow, develop valuable skills, and build a rewarding career in a business that values quality, innovation, and people.
These opportunities include:
Here’s a closer look at these opportunities and what each one involves.
The M&S graduate programmes are designed to give graduates hands-on experience and responsibility from day one while developing leadership and commercial skills. These programmes combine structured training with on-the-job learning across key business areas such as Retail, Food Business, and Fashion & Home.
Each programme runs for two years and offers rotations across departments to help you understand the full scope of Marks and Spencer’s operations. You’ll work alongside experienced managers, lead projects that make a real impact, and gain the skills needed to progress into leadership roles.
Good to Know: The M&S graduate programmes include three main parts, which are the Retail Leaders Graduate Programme, Food Business Graduate Programme, and Fashion, Home & Beauty Business Programme. They will give you a clear path to build your career in one of the UK’s most established and forward-thinking retail brands.
To apply for the M&S graduate programme, you must:
Good to Know: You can apply to only one M&S graduate or school-leaver programme per recruitment cycle, so choose the option that best fits your interests and career goals.
Next, let’s explore the M&S school-leaver programmes and the career growth opportunities they offer.
The M&S school-leaver programmes, also called M&S degree apprenticeships, are structured apprenticeships designed for students finishing school who want to begin their careers without going to university. These programmes allow participants to earn nationally recognised qualifications while gaining hands-on retail experience.
The most popular option is the Retail Leaders School Leaver Programme, which runs for around two to three years. During this time, participants rotate through different store departments, learning about operations, customer service, people management, and commercial decision-making. By the end of the programme, many progress into Team Manager or Store Manager roles.
To apply for the M&S school-leaver programme, you must:
Good to Know: The M&S retail leader school leaver runs for 36 months, while the graduate programme lasts 24 months. Applicants must have completed their A-Levels, BTEC, or NVQ before starting the programme.
Now that you know about the school-leaver programmes, let’s look at how you can start your career with M&S industrial placements.
The M&S industrial placement programmes offer undergraduate students the opportunity to gain real-world experience in key business areas such as food technology, product development and commercial operations.
These placements typically last 10-12 months, involve rotations across teams, and may lead to graduate roles after completion.
Good to Know: To join the M&S industrial placement, you must be a current undergraduate with the right to work in the UK and a strong interest in your chosen field, plus good analytical and problem-solving skills.
The M&S industrial placement application process includes:
That wraps up the overview of the M&S early career opportunities.
Next, explore our Marks and Spencer hiring process FAQs, where we answer the most common questions about applications and assessments.
Getting a job at Marks and Spencer isn’t too difficult if you meet the eligibility criteria and perform well in the assessments. You can browse and apply for available roles directly through the M&S careers website.
The average M&S salary ranges from around £17,000 per year for entry-level roles such as Sales Assistant to over £88,000 per year for senior positions like Senior Product Manager.
No, Marks and Spencer generally requires employees to work on-site in its stores, offices, or distribution centres, depending on the role.
The M&S Blended Test is part of the online assessment stage. It combines different types of questions, such as numerical, verbal, and situational judgment, to evaluate your problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills in one test.
You must be at least 16 years old to work at Marks and Spencer, though some roles or apprenticeship programmes may require you to be 18 or above, depending on job type and location.
Marks and Spencer usually responds within one to three weeks after you submit your application, but timelines can vary depending on the number of applicants and the specific role.
The M&S Criterion Assessment, also known as the Clevry assessment, is a set of online tests used to measure your numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and personality fit. It helps M&S recruiters understand how your skills and values align with the company’s culture and job requirements.
Do you want to pass your M&S assessment tests on your first try? Sign up now and take numerical, verbal reasoning and situational judgement practice tests today with GF, the only aptitude practice test experts providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe. Practise with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
Do you want to pass your M&S assessment tests on your first try? Sign up now and take numerical, verbal reasoning and situational judgement practice tests today with GF, the only aptitude practice test experts providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe.
Practise with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
This article was last updated on 2 March 2026. All information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication, based on publicly available sources. For the most up-to-date details, please verify directly with the employer.
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