London Off-Cycle Tier List

Keen to hear thoughts on how London off-cycle internships compare as they seems increasingly popular with undergrads recruiting directly to the buyside. Some programmes that stand out to me below.

——-——-——-——-——-——-——-——-——-——

Megafund: - Apollo Hybrid Value - Blackstone TacOpps / PC - CD&R PE - Cinven PE - CVC PC - Silver Lake PE

——-——-——-——-——-——-——-——-——-——

Upper Mid-Market / Large-Cap: - Ardian PE / PC - Astorg PE - Bridgepoint PE - Hg PE - IK Partners PE - PAI Partners PE - Rothschild Five Arrows PE - TowerBrook PE - Triton PE

19 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a detailed look at the London off-cycle internships and how they compare, especially for undergraduates aiming to recruit directly to the buyside:

Megafund:

  1. Apollo Hybrid Value
  2. Blackstone TacOpps / PC
  3. CD&R PE
  4. Cinven PE
  5. CVC PC
  6. Silver Lake PE

Upper Mid-Market / Large-Cap:

  1. Ardian PE / PC
  2. Astorg PE
  3. Bridgepoint PE
  4. Hg PE
  5. IK Partners PE
  6. PAI Partners PE
  7. Rothschild Five Arrows PE
  8. TowerBrook PE
  9. Triton PE

Key Points to Consider:

  • Popularity and Demand: Off-cycle internships are increasingly popular among undergraduates, especially those targeting direct buyside roles.
  • Conversion Rates: These internships often have better conversion rates to full-time offers compared to traditional summer internships.
  • Exposure and Experience: Off-cycle internships typically offer more extensive exposure and hands-on experience due to their longer duration (often around 5 months).

Additional Insights:

  • Competitive Landscape: The London market is highly competitive with fewer hiring needs and lower headcounts, making these internships even more valuable.
  • Diverse Opportunities: Besides bulge brackets, there are numerous opportunities in mid-market and large-cap firms, providing a broad spectrum of experiences.

For more detailed discussions and personal experiences, you can explore the following threads on WSO: - https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/opinions-on-bb…</a">Opinions on BB IBD Off-Cycle internships London - https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/advice-for-lon…</a">Advice for London applicants - https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/2018-ftoff-cyc…</a">2018 FT/Off-cycle London Recruiting Timeline Megathread

These resources provide valuable insights and can help you navigate the competitive landscape of London off-cycle internships.

Sources: Opinions on BB IBD Off-Cycle internships London, 2018 FT/Off-cycle London Recruiting Timeline Megathread, Advice for London applicants, Investment Banking Off-Cycle Internships London-Amsterdam-Madrid Fall 2020, London Off-Cycle 2024

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

Its nice that you compiled it but pointless thread

Roughly speaking:
Convertible? If yes, goes to top of list by default

Usually only large funds convert

Then we go to usual PE debate where brand name is less important and returns matter more. On top of that how much responsibility you would have.

Strong fund returns and non-convertible trump good brand name

If you’re at a bigger fund but you never work on live deals and they just give expert calls and origination work, then that’s worse experience than a MM where you actively contribute to IC papers or do real portfolio work

That said, for exits its still better to get bigger fund name on CV because your colleagues will be ex-BB whereas smaller mid market shops might have background in tiny banks where you wouldn’t be happy to end up. 

In practice, few people get multiple PE internship offers and it’s obvious which one to take. They’re super competitive and have 1 spot every 6 months so a ranking is pointless

 

How would GS AM fits into it? Have an offer for one of the tier 1 you mentioned but also in the process for GS which I understand converts to FT

 

Unless it's GSAM Corp PE, would strongly advise to take the MF. Recruiting with a CVC/Apollo/Silver Lake on your CV will be easy and you'll likely be able to return in 2 years even if you don't get the immediate offer.

Can confirm GSAM REPE/Infrastructure are laughable and would have no respect if they didn't have the GS brand. Corp PE is more legit so would be more of a toss-up.

 

Cinven and CVC Pc should be in tier2. Cinven not hard to get and Ardian one tier below rest

 

Eos omnis sit molestiae velit. Explicabo ullam aut qui voluptatem illo. Et qui repudiandae odio odio voluptatem laudantium. Facilis et dolorem voluptas minima.

Suscipit incidunt fuga dicta omnis et repellat. Magnam ea qui debitis tempora. Quasi illum et eveniet est odit dolor assumenda.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
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...”