What would you recommend?

Hey everyone, This is my first post here, so please be nice! I am about to go off to university, but not quite sure if I should do a degree in Computer Science, or if I should study Actuarial Mathematics if I am wanting to break into the banking scene? I am most interested in fixed income trading, or perhaps a sales role.

Any help and/or advice would be very much appreciated!

Thank you.

9 Comments
 

Sorry, to be exact, this is in the UK. We don't really have a major/minor system, although we do have some choice over some modules.

The computer science degree is joint with business, but I'm guessing the business is just basic stuff. The computer science part of the degree is quite mathematical, and has a couple of stats modules aswell.

Also, to make it even more interesting, the Comp Sci degree is from a reputable university, where as the Actuarial Maths degree is from a well known university, but has mixed opinions.

Thanks again in advance.

 

Go to the best uni you can get into- IBanks love the golden triangle-Oxbridge and LSE- they get the first and early recruitment rounds.

Don't worry so much about degree subject, either one sounds great. Shoot for a first, no lower than a 2.1. Apply for spring internship week, join Investment Clubs and other EC, check with uni career center and attend any and all presentations put on by IBs. Intern during summer.

If you can take modules that cover requirements for MSc Financial Econ, as a fall back strategy, if needed--you will be spot on.

Cheers

 
solGo to the best uni you can get into- IBanks love the golden triangle-Oxbridge and LSE- they get the first and early recruitment rounds.

Don't worry so much about degree subject, either one sounds great. Shoot for a first, no lower than a 2.1. Apply for spring internship week, join Investment Clubs and other EC, check with uni career center and attend any and all presentations put on by IBs. Intern during summer.

If you can take modules that cover requirements for MSc Financial Econ, as a fall back strategy, if needed--you will be spot on.

Cheers

So, you reckon a Computer Science and Business degree from Warwick is good enough to get me into a trading role?

Anyone else have any advice?

 
Best Response

Hope this helps a little--Basically four types of degree 'grades'--A first being the highest, then a 2.1, 2.2 and third. Predicted grades during the first two years by grading professor/advisor. Results are given by precentages at the end of the third and final year, based on accumulation of the three years work and thesis or final examinations. Employers are given the projected grade when applying for an intership or grad program (as a FT offer is called). Usually your contract will state something like conditionally offer based on 78% or it might say a 2.1 or first required. And lots of pressure, because you really do not know until after graduation what your grade really is. This is really just the basics.

snipped the following for you.......

The grading system in the UK can create agonies for American Students. If a normally straight-A student recieves a 70 on his/her first paper, it's difficult to accept that a 70 in UK-terms is an A or a first. So here's a comparison to help prepare you for the grading shock!

UK Grade Conversion Chart 70+ 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 A B+/A- B C+ C

Students with an average of 70 or higher are awarded a first-class honours degree (equivalent to an A). Other degree categories are: an upper second (equivalent to A-/B+), a lower second (equivalent to a B) or a third class (equivalent to a C) honours degree.

At the graduate level, students with a 70 or higher are awarded a master's degree with distinction. Students with a 60-69 are awarded a master's degree with merit.

Source: Education UK

 

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