Should i take a gap year for best IB chances?

Currently applied to ucas and in yr 13 , predicted A*AA . I applied for pure econ to all semitargets and have 2 offers for pure econ bsc at 2 semitargets. I didn't apply for pure econ at targets as my application was not strong enough (pure econ at targets is extremely competitive).

Is it worth taking a gap year and then reapplying for target unis with my actual a-level grades for less competitive courses eg business , geography and econ , to increase my chances to break in , as I know the uni prestige matters more than the course.

Forgot to add the semitargets I got offers from is nottingham and Bristol

3 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, taking a gap year could be a strategic move if your ultimate goal is to maximize your chances of breaking into IB. Here's a breakdown of your situation and potential options:

  1. University Prestige vs. Course:

    • You're correct that university prestige often matters more than the specific course when it comes to IB recruiting. Target universities (e.g., Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Warwick, Imperial) have stronger alumni networks, better on-campus recruiting, and more opportunities for spring weeks and internships.
    • If you believe you can achieve A*AA or better in your final A-level results, reapplying to target universities for less competitive courses (e.g., business, geography, or joint degrees like Economics & Management) could significantly improve your chances of breaking into IB.
  2. Your Current Offers:

    • Nottingham and Bristol are strong semi-targets, and many students from these universities do break into IB. However, you'll need to work harder to stand out by networking extensively, securing spring weeks, and maintaining a high GPA.
  3. Gap Year Considerations:

    • A gap year can be highly productive if you use it wisely. For example:
      • Resit any A-levels if needed to secure top grades.
      • Gain relevant experience, such as internships, part-time work, or programs like Investment 20/20, which can strengthen your CV.
      • Focus on building your application for target universities, including crafting a strong personal statement tailored to the courses you're applying for.
  4. Risks of a Gap Year:

    • There's no guarantee you'll secure offers from target universities, even with strong grades. Admissions for competitive courses remain highly selective.
    • You may lose a year of progress compared to peers who go straight to university.

Recommendation:

If you're confident in achieving top A-level grades and can use the gap year productively (e.g., gaining experience, improving your application), it could be worth reapplying to target universities. However, if you're unsure about the gap year or prefer to start university immediately, Nottingham and Bristol are solid options where you can still break into IB with the right effort and strategy.

Sources: Screwed up my A Levels, what courses can I go for to still make it in IB?, 3.9 GPA from an Ivy League school in a useless major. What are my options?, Ask Natalie from Accepted about Business School Admissions, Unsure on what to do next or where to go as UK undergraduate, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/should-i-take-a-gap-year-before-university-uk?customgpt=1

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

Canadian here.

Is there a difference between pure econ and other majors recruiting wise?

If there is not, then you should go to a target even if it is not pure econ and somehow related to finance.

If there is a difference between recruiting prospects from pure econ at target and something else at target, then take the gap year.

 
Most Helpful

Id dolorem nostrum qui sed iusto praesentium pariatur. Maiores nisi modi saepe sapiente facilis laborum minima. Est sapiente quaerat nam iure facere commodi. In delectus sed neque architecto sint.

Vero quia at ea aut placeat tempore beatae. Dolore sunt mollitia recusandae minus commodi quo aspernatur. Dolorem dolorum et sit reiciendis consequatur ut. Delectus omnis similique possimus sapiente nam eveniet est.

Ipsum aut molestias aperiam et. Voluptas nostrum repellendus iste itaque necessitatibus fuga. Ipsa aperiam nulla nihil accusamus a sed. Molestias vero unde possimus nisi quis et voluptatem et. Et magnam porro magnam placeat et consequuntur maxime harum.

Perspiciatis vitae repellat eos repudiandae animi et magni. Repellendus adipisci ut corrupti rerum error. Asperiores accusamus dicta debitis est libero et ducimus quam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
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
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...”