İs Exeter a 'okay' uni for finance and consulting?

Hi everyone, just wanted to ask if University of Exeter is a decent pick for Finance(IBD,PE etc.) and consulting(Big 4)? First of all I know to have real strong prospects you should probably go to the top 6 core targets (LSE,Oxbridge,UCL,Imperial and Warwick) but as an international student I wasn't able to do an IB so those uni's are out of question for me. Would you say Exeter is an okay semi-target? I'm asking beacause I couldn't make sure surfing at reddit and here if its on tier with other semi's like Bath,Notts or Edinburgh? Do they have marginal differences or on of them are clearly a tier above or below?

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Based on the most helpful WSO content, the University of Exeter is generally considered a semi-target for finance and consulting roles, but it is not as strong as some other semi-targets like Bath, Nottingham, or Edinburgh. Exeter is often grouped in the "Other Semi-Target" category, which means it provides decent chances for front-office roles in investment banking or consulting, but the opportunities may be more limited compared to stronger semi-targets.

Here are some key points to consider:

  1. Placement Strength: While Exeter has a presence in analyst and internship classes, it tends to be in smaller numbers compared to stronger semi-targets like Bath or Edinburgh. This means networking and leveraging alumni connections will be crucial.

  2. Comparison with Other Semi-Targets: Bath, Nottingham, and Edinburgh are often ranked slightly higher within the semi-target bracket. For example, Edinburgh is frequently mentioned as a "Strong Semi-Target," while Bath and Nottingham are also seen as solid options for finance and consulting.

  3. Opportunities: Exeter can still provide a pathway to roles in IBD, PE, or Big 4 consulting, but you may need to work harder to stand out. Participating in extracurricular activities, securing internships early, and building a strong network will be essential.

In summary, Exeter is an "okay" choice for finance and consulting, but if you have the option to attend Bath, Nottingham, or Edinburgh, they might offer slightly better prospects. However, success ultimately depends on your individual efforts and how well you leverage the resources available at your university.

Sources: 2018 UK Target Uni - MSc - for FO jobs: put your POV, UK Target Universities Discussion Thread, UK Target Unis, Complete UK Undergraduate Tier List, UK Target Admissions?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 
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Its ok. I know some people from Exeter that have done well in SA recruiting but honestly, at ACs this year (IBD and Consulting), the vast majority of ppl were from Ox/Cam, LSE, Imperial or UCL, with one or two St Andrews/ Edi ppl in there too from my experience. Honestly, below Warwick, I don't think there is much of a difference between semi-targets, though I'm not a recruiter. 

Get onto the committee of the business/ finance society at Exeter, do some external stuff with student-led intercollegiate M&A/ Consulting groups, aim for a 1st in ur degree and u should be ok. 

A good way to check is to go on LinkedIn and look at Exeter and its placement into different firms. How many alums are at BB, EB, MMs etc to get an idea. 

 

Is this comment saying WW is a semi?

I'm not super familiar so your thoughts would be interesting

 

It's for sure a target, apologies if the wording made that unclear - but definitely the lowest target by a decent margin in terms of reputation. I think the difference is that you could feasibly see an Oxbridge or Imperial/ UCL biochemist in IB, but probably not a Warwick one. They tend to get into IB more from only econ, MORSE etc. (at least this is my anecdotal experience). It is still levels above the rest (eg: Durham, Bristol, Manchester). I just see less Warwick than I do the rest of the targets, though I do work at an EB 

 

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