Are student loans worth it?

I have the grades to get into targets (UCL, Warwick, maybe LSE) and easily get into semi targets (Bristol, Nottingham, Exeter, etc).

As an international student, are the loans worth taking in order to get a chance at these roles? I already have an offer at a non target which costs way less than the ones mentioned above.

Eg: non target: £42k in total fees which is affordable Target: £60-£90k in total fees where about half would have to be in loans.

I’m looking to get into either IB/AM or consulting after graduation.

4 Comments
 

I understand your point, but my question was whether the difference in opportunities at non target vs target will be big enough to justify the loans considering the rigid recruiting process that happens in the UK

 

It's too hard to say this without knowing other details about you, how hard you're willing to work, how selective you are with where you want to work et cetera. 

But if you can get into LSE, UCL, or perhaps even Oxford/ Cambridge, quite possibly.

 

Aut inventore quia id quae sit aut quia. Possimus dolore nihil quidem enim quo culpa beatae.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”