London MF/UMM PE internships - comp

What are the general expectations regarding comp, and also the rule of thumb regarding visa sponsorships for internship applicants in need of a skilled worker visa? Are there any in the MF/UMM category that do not sponsor interns? Which ones in the LMM category do sponsor interns for Skilled Worker visa?

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Compensation for London MF/UMM PE internships typically aligns with pro-rata Analyst 1 base salaries, which are around £50k annually, plus potential bonuses depending on the firm. For internships, this translates to approximately £2.5k-£4k per month, depending on the bank or fund.

Regarding visa sponsorships, most MF (Mega Funds) and UMM (Upper Middle Market) private equity firms in London are open to sponsoring skilled worker visas for interns, especially for highly qualified candidates. However, this is not guaranteed across the board, and some firms may have policies against sponsoring visas for short-term roles like internships.

For LMM (Lower Middle Market) firms, visa sponsorship is less common due to smaller budgets and less structured HR policies. Candidates requiring sponsorship should prioritize applying to larger, more established firms with a history of hiring international talent.

Unfortunately, specific names of firms that do or do not sponsor visas are not detailed in the WSO dataset. It is recommended to directly inquire with the HR or recruitment teams of the targeted firms to confirm their policies.

Sources: 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions - London Edition, 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions - London Edition, 2024 SA - Visa Sponsorship - US Investment Banking, US Firms That Sponsor Visas?, London S&T Salary progression

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Got an offer for a MF internship after having done a good EB (MOE/Laz/RTH/PJT/PWP) summer with a return, also got the MS OC the same timeframe. Unsure what to choose for PE recruitment - is the MF experience worth more than a better brand?

 

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