Got BBB at A-level is there any point in breaking into IB out of undergrad or will my cv just get thrown in the bin. I don’t want to dedicate hours to something I won’t achieve
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Unlikely that you’ll get looks from BBs/EBs but you could try and recruit for MMs/LMMs (though even this is an uphill battle). Would probably suggest aiming your sights elsewhere unfortunately.
What are you on about mate? This is grossly inaccurate. He can easily get into any top firm provided his CV is good.
How?
Bad A-Levels -> No chance at target -> No outstanding opportunities
Competing with people with more connections, better grades & internships, from target universities.
Realistically your grades and your uni prospects are going to put you in a position that makes this very difficult. Realistically you're not getting an IB internship at any firm of note.
I've seen people break in though by working for boutiques but you normally need "polish" in other ways. I.e. most of these boutiques are run by posh people who want to work with other posh people. Just from what I've seen.
Normally also these people don't graduate into IB. They'll start in something else in finance and lateral after some time.
I go to a semi target got that through contextual, There’s a some people that say A levels don’t matter and just need to compensate that with experience while others say they do, BBs don’t really state A levels requirements and BoA says you need a minimum of 112 ucas points, I’m just really confused at this point.
You're confused because now, unlike your academic and professional life thus far, there are no more hard, general rules for you to follow. Everything you're being told is true, but also probably a little wrong, all at once. Saying "A Levels don't matter, you just need experience" is true for probably some people, in their own experience. And not for others. Equally BofA saying that 112 UCAS points is true. For BofA. Doesn't mean it applies everywhere.
That is to say, there is no instruction manual here.
The only thing you can really do is move in the "right" general direction. What does the above tell you? It tells you, on a very simplistic level that grades and experience matters. So do your best to max out those stats.
Saying this as someone who has BBB at A-Level and was also at BofA, it’s possible.
There’s much more that matters in the recruitment process than grades alone. Since we can’t change grades here, focus on the other areas of the CV that some firms are focused more on (whether that be the uni you’re at/going to, work experience, internships, networking, etc.).
Thank you so much, as someone who was in my position what did you do that enabled you to break into IB, I’ve started to apply for search funds,local banks and investment firms but can’t think of anything else. Appreciate the advice
Not sure at what stage you are at currently, but just make sure everything except grades is the best possible. Whether that be going to the best uni possible (with your grades… is resitting an option?), extracurricular at uni (the typical finance society stuff and stuff that actually makes you interesting), solid interviewing skills and technicals, securing spring weeks and internships and converting them. And I know some people say networking doesn’t have much pull in the UK, but in my experience, I had the complete opposite. All firms I gotten offers from both internship and when lateraling, came from referrals/direct relationships.
Hi man, I did my A-levels in Germany and got some poor grades (somewhere between B- and C+; not sure what the exact conversion is). I went to a top university in mainland Europe and graduated with distinction last year. Additionally I did 4 internships in Germany before I applied for investment banking positions in London. I NEVER included my A-Level grades on my CV or in the application tool unless I was explicitly asked for them. Rothschild, for example, requires you to enter your A-Level grades in their application tool, but most other banks don't. I went through the process for one BB and one MM role for SA24, and I did an AC at an EB for 2025 (I'm a non-diversity male, btw). So, there are definitely opportunities to receive invitations and offers, but you have to work extremely hard. Your undergraduate university and grades need to be very good, and you should ideally start doing finance-related internships as soon as possible, (even if they're with small, unknown firms) to fill your CV and get a competitive advantage
Yeah, ignore the elitist comments. I got in with not great grades. If you go to a target school, have relevant internships, you'll be fine. Nobody is going to bin an ideal candidate with the experience they are looking for, just because they didn't get good grades when they were 17/18. I have worked with MDs who didn't even go to university (front office btw). You might have a hard time getting a SA at a BB, but the lateral positions are definitely possible. Work your way up.
Yes MDs might have not went to university when they started because it was 1980 and not 2025. Times have changed
I'm obviously not saying that still happens? I'm saying you don't have to be a genius to do the job. Grades are an entry barrier, but after your first internship/full-time position nobody cares. If you're good at the job, that's all that matters. I've met people with perfect grades who are awful at investment banking lol
Ignore the comments saying it's not possible. Though it'll be tough, if you're able to get into a target/semi-target then you can easily land interviews. Some banks have A level requirements, but most don't really give a shit. Learn from your mistakes, grow, be persistent, apply early and with a bit of luck you can break in.
Source: Got into top BB at a semi with A level grades worse than yours.
Thnak you, must have grinded like hell, any application tips that helped you stand out, appreciate it.
Front office role?
In a similar position to OP, but in first year at an ok uni for placements into these firms. Recognised what you guys are saying pre-uni, and worked to improve the other variables in the equation by getting some decent experiences/extracurriculars in year 1 (client solution intern, boutique AM...). Wondering whether it can now be competitive for summers and beyond for AM/buyside roles (with a first class avg), and would appreciate any tips to further improve chances.
Would love to pm someone, as I don't have too many connections rn for such insights. Thank you in advance!
Anyone who says it’s not possible clearly doesn’t know what they are talking about. Barely any banks even ask for grades explicitly anymore. I personally know people with grades worse than yours end up at places like JPM/GS, heck even a couple at PJT/EVR.
Don’t put your grades on your CV unless they ask you to.
Most banks ask for A-Level grades early on in the application process and I have never seen an analyst or associate in the front office at a top 3 BB with grades of BBB or below. To say that these firms aren’t elitist is moronic, they aim to hire the best of the best and unfortunately those people tend to have top grades.
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