Investment banking degree apprenticeships UK

Hello, I'm currently in my first year at UCL doing a degree I'm somewhat semi-interested, I only came here purely cos it's a target. I regret not looking into degree apprenticeships earlier. I know it's virtually impossible to get into IB without being a graduate, I know people do a masters just so they can apply again and if you do do a master's u need to go to a Target uni for a master's degree which is an even smaller and harder category than undergrad degree target unis (not to mention more expensive).

I was just wondering if anyone has any insight into IB degree apprenticeships as I have some questions around the potential career progression ie is it basically like joining IB as a graduate, say for example u started your degree apprenticeship in 2024 >>> 3 years go-by and a graduate from a target joins in 2027, will u be at the same level as them or would you have more skill and expertise in roles like in M&A, capital markets or lev finance etc in comparison to them, so they are basically starting out at the same level as you were in your first year doing the degree programme.

Essentially how much better would it be to land top roles in IB in comparison to me coming out from a target, because from what I know most IB degree apprenticeships dont get you to top front office jobs.

If you then wanted to switch banks or exit to PE later down the like etc, would you having done a degree apprenticeship, and the degree not being from a target, will that hinder your chances?

3 Comments
 

This is my opinion. Keeping it short and simple, you are better off staying at uni and forgetting about an IB degree apprenticeship. I am at a BB where there are a couple of degree apprentices and the thing is that it isnt just corporate finance. They rotate in ESG, infrastructure as well etc. If you had a pure M&A, Corp fin apprenticeship maybe consider it but honestly, I would just go the trad route with an internship then full time or something like that.

Degree apprenticeships are popular now because it offers more experience for basically no tuition fee costs but a recruiter I know said that it offers you a very narrow career path and a degree will put you in a better place - it is not popular within the wider market.

I dont know a single person who landed a top PE role with a degree apprenticeship.

 

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