Bristol or Manchester Uni for breaking into ib ?

Hi I’m currently an yr 13 student who has received all uni offer reply’s and is confused on whether to choose Bristol or Manchester. For Bristol the course would be Econ and Finance which works well as I want to work in finance in the future, however Manchester does have a higher ranking. I was curious if employers will view these unis differently as I’ve seen some people say Bristol is a high semi- target and Manchester doesn’t even make it on the semi-target list. They all gave me the same conditions of AAA.

Thank you very much!

3 Comments
 

Choosing between Bristol and Manchester for a career in investment banking can indeed be a pivotal decision. Based on the insights from the Wall Street Oasis dataset, here's a breakdown that might help you make an informed choice:

  1. Bristol University:

    • Reputation: Bristol is often mentioned as a high semi-target university for investment banking roles in the UK. This means it is recognized by employers in the finance industry and has a strong alumni network in the sector.
    • Course Relevance: The Econ and Finance course at Bristol is directly relevant to a career in finance, providing a solid foundation in both economic theory and financial principles.
  2. Manchester University:

    • Ranking: While Manchester may have a higher overall university ranking, it's important to note that for investment banking specifically, the reputation within the industry and the relevant alumni network can be more influential than general university rankings.
    • Industry Perception: According to discussions on Wall Street Oasis, Manchester is not typically mentioned as a semi-target for investment banking, which could suggest that Bristol has a slight edge in terms of industry perception for breaking into investment banking.

Conclusion: Given your aspiration to work in finance and the specific course offered by Bristol (Econ and Finance), Bristol University might be the more advantageous choice for pursuing a career in investment banking. The course content aligns well with your career goals, and Bristol's recognition as a high semi-target university in the finance industry could provide valuable networking opportunities and a stronger platform to launch your career.

Remember, while the university you attend can play a role in your initial steps into the industry, your personal drive, internships, networking efforts, and performance are equally, if not more, important in securing a position in investment banking.

Sources: What's the best school for investment banking?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/investment-banking-in-the-uk-an-overview?customgpt=1, Investment Banking University Recruiting Report – 7 Key Takeaways, Comprehensive List of Target Schools for Investment Banking, LSE V Bristol uni

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Alias similique dicta porro consequatur in ratione non. Fuga fugiat a consequuntur debitis. Nobis quis dignissimos accusantium accusamus qui.

Asperiores eveniet repellat reiciendis qui odit quia optio. Cumque nostrum consequatur ut et sunt aperiam asperiores a. Autem amet ab vero cumque nobis voluptatem est necessitatibus. Ad numquam sint tenetur delectus ut odit libero blanditiis.

Fugiat eveniet voluptatibus rerum doloremque. Cupiditate dolor qui sit reiciendis. Commodi asperiores reprehenderit dolorem quia numquam illum. Sed temporibus voluptatum omnis a et. Est atque aut maxime ut vel et et error. Est sed sed maiores fugit iusto maiores. Nulla aspernatur atque vitae ut temporibus necessitatibus nihil rerum.

Molestias numquam repellendus dolores odio. Libero aliquid inventore cumque impedit recusandae aut sed.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
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...”