Got AAB at A Levels and so traditional targets and semi targets are sort of out of question. I’m planning on applying to York but in all honesty I’m not too sure I’d enjoy going to uni there. Realistically I’m looking at going towards one of Birmingham for PPE, or Sheffield and Newcastle for Politics & Economics. I’m looking to find out how these 3 unis are looked at by banks in the UK.
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They're all non-targets. I'm sure there's the odd person from them in banking but it's certainly not very common. The chances of you getting into IB directly are very low (not zero but low). Even if you happen to be diversity (i.e. black).
It's worth throwing in the odd AAA to your 5 unis as a hail Mary - something like Manchester, Leeds etc.
Hard non targets, York might be considered a lower tier semi target, unless you are a diversity women, odds are slim.
odd still slim even if diversity
You'll have a hard time breaking into IB from those universities. I'd just stick with York, they have decent representation in IB - and as far as I know, their PPE programme is the second oldest in the UK.
Look at Nottingham Industrial Econ, entry is AAA but I’ve seen people get in with AAB. I know it’s not what you seem interested in but it’s probably the most target you could get with AAB so if you really want IB it might be the best route.
I’m saving one application for, as a commenter above said a ‘hail Mary’, likely Politics and Econ at Notts because I saw it go into clearing last year and some near misses tend to be accepted.
I'm going to present the reality to you, completely unfiltered. Gaining entry into any of these universities will be extremely challenging due to their perceived prestige by HR, especially given the current, highly competitive market environment. Firstly, your AAB grades from a non-target will likely be viewed unfavourably by HR at all IB firms, even for spring weeks. This is because you're competing against students who have achieved triple A*s at targets. Based on my experience reviewing multiple CVs for summer internships at my BB, the average applicant applying for an IB position has at least A*AA grades.
Considering the current job market and the increasing competitiveness and saturation of applicants for spring weeks and summer internships in IB, even being a diverse candidate from one of the universities you listed might not offer you much, if any, advantage. The recruitment cycle for BBs and EB's has been exceptionally competitive, and I've seen many diverse students from the uni's you listed fail to secure any offers.
However, I can suggest several strategies for moving forward:
Retake the A-level where you scored a B, aiming for an A* or A, and then apply the following year. Positives: This could allow you to apply to a better university, enhancing your standing in the recruitment process, and you can gain work experience in the meantime. Negatives: The process is lengthy and success is not guaranteed.
Apply for a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) program at your chosen universities, and then apply to IB firms (I recommend York, which has a better track record with IB). Positives: You can start university this year and might have a chance of recruiting (you never know) Negatives: You might be at a disadvantage from a recruiter's standpoint in the recruitment process.
Enroll in the PPE program at York this year and apply for spring weeks, but also consider roles outside of IB, such as sales and trading, equity research (ER), or asset management (AM). Positives: You'll explore opportunities beyond IB and you'll have a better chance of securing roles in these areas for spring weeks Negatives: you won't be doing IB
Consider York's BSc (Hons) in Economics and Finance, which requires AAB grades. Positives: HR might view your degree as more directly relevant for spring week recruitment taking in consideration your low target uni, enhancing your chances. Negatives: There's no guarantee of success, and York is still considered a lower semi-target university.
Going through the recruitment process now, this is W advice!
I really appreciate how detailed this is, thank you. It’s not really feasible for me to redo an A Level at this point but I am gaining work experience within a small consultancy firm starting a few weeks time. Obviously it’s not related to IB but I figure it’s something and I plan on reaching out to firms in the coming weeks to search for work experience opportunities. You mentioned I could apply to better uni’s if I redid my A Level, what would your thoughts be on studying a non econ related degree but at a better uni. As when I was looking at my potential options I saw I could do some humanities degrees at a couple of semi targets. Also I fully see your third point and do also plan on applying to less competitive roles outside of IB but still at banks once I do start university.
I'd say the uni is more important then the subject, would recommend doing a humanities degree at a semi target like Durham etc. over a finance / econ degree at a non-target. As long as you still think you'd enjoy it and do well in it.
There are going to be far fewer spots in long-only asset management than in IB. While LO AM is far less prestige-driven than IB and will receive fewer applications for sure, the number of spots is going to be lower as well.
I was at a very large long-only firm a few years ago and they took on 8 summer interns across the various investment teams (FI, ER).
Hey man just curious on your thoughts on recruiting for next year? Do you think there will be less spring weeks or maybe things might pick back up?
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What do people think about Leeds or Manchester?
Manchester good, Leeds I used to hear a lot about years ago but I don't actually see them represented a lot.
Masters?
I won’t lie to you it’s extremely unlikely. A while ago a girl from UBham texted me on LinkedIn asking for a call to better learn about my firm and I just ignored it. Not because I’m a prick that doesn’t want to give her a chance but because I know the chances of someone from one of those unis not getting screened out without something exceptional (maybe someone with A*A*A* but chose Bham because it was close by or someone who managed to somehow bag a bunch of springs)
You could always do a masters though, but again the issue becomes even when you apply to summers for post Y-3 you’ll be applying with the current uni name (basically you’ll only have a shot for grad)
Okay intern
nice one intern
Joining a big 4 corporate finance grad scheme and lateralling to IB after 2/3 years is another credible route. I know multiple people who have done this at Laz/Jef/Evr and are in the same positions as the 3A* spring week/intern kids. You may have to accept that your route will take a bit longer as you need to put the time in and get an ACA, but in the long run you won’t be looking back.
Also worth adding your A-Levels do not define you and you are still more than capable of getting into IB, you have a lot of time to work things out.
sheffield getting relegated to championship and birmingham to league 1. at least newcastle fighting for european spots
what was the question again?
If you’re able to compile enough experience working at boutiques, Network, and have solid technical knowledge MM/EB firms will look over your school and decide to give you a shot.
Natixis might've done that for you james but EBs are even more elitist than BBs
First off my name is not James, stop calling me that or I’ll have you removed for harassment. This is a professional thread, take a break from trolling. Always the interns that have something stupid to say. Secondly I’ve had MDs from EBs and BBs tell me that experience is paramount over just the school name. Things are different and your school name isn't the only thing that will land you an internship today🤷. Funny enough Natixis is one of the few elitist MMs just from looking at their LinkedIn. I’ve known many students from non-target universities secure internships through networking and having more technical knowledge then your average target university student with no experience.
I guess the question for me from that statement would be how to get that initial experience in some boutiques in all honesty. Luckily I’ve managed to secure an offer into a semi target which should make things slightly easier than coming from the unis I listed on this post, but only marginally I realise. Would it just be ensuring I’m on track for a first and learning technicals or is there maybe some experience that can be used as a stepping stone to get into those boutiques?
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