Thoughts on MF Analyst Programs?

Based on who you know has made it into these programs (BX/KKR/WP/SL), who are these programs targeted to?

Can a non-div student from a top target (without connections) actually make it with strong internship experience?

20 Comments
 

Speaking for blackstone specifically, you won’t get anywhere without a referral. Start networking sooner rather than later.

 
Most Helpful

I am part of the internship recruitment team for one London-based large cap PE fund that offers an Analyst programme.

Our key CV screening criteria are a degree from a target university with strong grades and at least one prior Tier 1 internship in Banking (BBs + EBs) or Big3 Consulting.

We are obviously trying to add as many diverse interns as possible but are not willing to lower our standards described above.

If you are then making it through the interview rounds and impress your co-workers during the internship, you get a return offer as Analyst. So far, we have not hired first-year analysts without an internship before.

 

How do you view someone with a non target Bachelors and an Oxford/LSE/LBS/HEC masters? Do language skills matter?

 

We definitely consider someone with a master from a target as good candidate. There is actually one analyst at one of the MFs who studied at a non-target, did Masters in Finance at a target and then interned after a BB internship.

Language skills are a plus but not a prerequisite. Given target markets, most European funds have a slight skew to anyone with a relevant Continental European language (French, Italian, German, Spanish, Dutch, Swedish, etc.)

 

Could you please share how recruiting interns works in London? Can I apply for the internships through your website, do I need to reach out to HH, or is networking the best approach. Further would appreciate it if you could share which firms in London to your knowledge are taking interns (non-nepotisem). 

 

Most funds work with a headhunter and you can usually apply via a website or need to reach out to some of the associates at LinkedIn to get you in touch. I heard that former interns oftentimes get contacted and ask to let potential candidates now whom best to contact.

I personally heard of well-established internship programs at Silver Lake, Blackstone, CD&R, Advent (Frankfurt), Cinven (London, Paris & Frankfurt), BC Partners (Hamburg), Triton (Frankfurt), PAI Partners (Munich).

I also heard that KKR, Permira and Bain Capital are now offering internships but don’t have a confirmation on that.

I am probably missing some above.

 

Expedita qui vitae sequi ut eos fugit est. Consequatur commodi veritatis perspiciatis est officia recusandae et. Id iure amet architecto velit. Similique voluptas mollitia quaerat consequatur vero. Sit perspiciatis accusantium quo quaerat. Provident repellendus delectus modi. Quo sit labore consequuntur quibusdam maxime ut dolorem. Explicabo quia cum perspiciatis natus.

Omnis magni et et odio officia dignissimos. Officiis quos velit vel aut praesentium veniam sunt. Nihil porro laboriosam reiciendis dignissimos. Et fuga deleniti ut.

Doloribus quia minus consequatur laboriosam. Iusto hic eaque sequi dicta. Et cupiditate voluptas eum occaecati quos sunt fuga ea. Repellendus itaque distinctio delectus corrupti quasi quis vero pariatur.

Ut aperiam est pariatur tempore ut labore. Maiores voluptas molestiae eligendi occaecati. Debitis vitae eligendi sit nobis qui qui dignissimos qui. Praesentium doloremque alias temporibus assumenda. Voluptate voluptatem dolorem possimus tenetur saepe et odio.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Private Equity

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

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Private Equity

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

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 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

August 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (105) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (413) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”