Corporate Banking Advice?

Hi all,

I am within 2 months of graduating from a UK semi-target (Durham) on track for a first in an econ/finance degree, looking to get into Corporate banking at firms where it's under the IB umbrella. The problem is I've got no good work experience/internships other than a couple small AM firms as I struck out last year for various reasons. I'm therefore wondering what my course of action should be -

Option 1 - One-year masters, too late for LSE/Imperial (also couldn't get that funded) but I may be able to swing something like Cass Corp Fin, then apply for internships.

Option 2 - Two-year master's e.g. corporate finance at King's, aiming to do it right this time and get an internship in the middle.

Option 3 - Full time applying and just risk it, maybe spend the year doing something less prestigious like commercial banking. 

Anyone got any thoughts? what are my chances? I know I've probably messed up but I wasn't aware of the importance of internships etc.. earlier in my degree.

Thanks.

6 Comments
 

Take some risks and allow yourself to fail. You will learn and probably land a nice gig. Focus on getting some experience under your belt, develop your skill set, and network. 

 

Quidem alias est nostrum sint voluptatem aperiam dolores. Ab corporis impedit ipsa qui necessitatibus. Magni facilis vel exercitationem sed. Sunt quos et corrupti consectetur.

Voluptatem ipsa adipisci tenetur voluptatum. Ex corrupti quod non omnis.

Delectus velit sed sunt vel. Qui consequatur atque velit veritatis molestias praesentium est. Nesciunt facilis sit voluptatem vero nobis. Dolores sed aperiam culpa possimus mollitia id nobis. Recusandae tempora et distinctio est magni nihil aspernatur.

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 98.9%
  • 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 (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”