Is having no finance classes a bad signal for spring weeks/internships?

I'm going to be applying for spring weeks from a UK target in September/October. I am trying to decide between taking a maths module or a finance/accounting class. Would having taken a finance/accounting module have any benefit for spring week applications? The uni offers a workshop to teach the basics to prospective IBers but I don't know if this would be sufficient.

Also, how much of an edge does having proficiency in a European language give (if any)?

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

The lack of finance/accounting related modules won't put you at disadvantage, but the knowledge and skills that you get from it can greatly help you to navigate the process (especially the SA recruitment).

I myself did not take any finance / accounting modules in my first and second years but decided to take Fin Mgmt and Corp Fin Strat in my final year. It was way easier to prepare for interviews having studied it academically. Having said that, even a history of art major can do perfectly fine w/ WSO Technical Interview guide + investopedia, it just takes more time / less structured -> more gaps in understanding in concepts.

Language is definitely a plus but not a must. I doubt it ever plays significant role in offer decision making. If you state that you are fluent in a common European language (French, Spanish, Italian, German etc.), make sure that you actually speak it because they will check that during the interview.

Hope it answers some of your questions.

 

Quis distinctio ut nisi et iusto consequatur vitae. Dolorem exercitationem laboriosam harum provident tempora accusamus.

Dolorem similique atque provident eos et minima. Labore facere quaerat quasi quisquam et. Qui soluta doloribus dolorem nostrum. Ratione excepturi minima provident inventore. Corporis dolore iure minima illo blanditiis nihil laboriosam excepturi. Explicabo aut vel alias.

Voluptatem libero nostrum nesciunt repellat quia maiores. Quo possimus aut temporibus dolorum explicabo. Eius autem sed qui aut.

Vel rerum sunt sunt et vel et quo. Atque culpa tempore inventore ratione voluptatibus optio repellendus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”