What to do before & after a Masters in Finance? (London/No IB Experience)

Hi everyone,

I recently received an offer from a target finance masters uni (LBS/LSE/Oxford). I'm graduating this summer from a UK target (Oxbridge) with a 1st Class in a STEM Degree (CompSci/Engineering/Sciences) with both a Masters & Bachelors. I was previously more interested in consulting/tech and as a result my prior internships reflect that. I don't have any deals-related experience on my CV, but have done finance-related work (e.g., strategy consulting projects for PE) through some of these experiences (but nothing beyond some modelling, valuation, market/industry research, comps & looking at previous deals).

I missed SA recruiting for 2025 summer as market conditions meant my FT consulting offer never came through, and haven't secured anything for this summer. I'm currently thinking about what my options are to help break into IB. I'm also open to considering equity research (given I have a strong technical background in some sectors from my undergrad/experiences/extra-curriculars) and AM. 

If I wanted to maximise my chances to get into IB, what should I be looking to do both before the masters starts and during? Ideally I wouldn't take a gap year after my masters in finance, but am open to OCs.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!