Help with UCAS Choices for Economics

Hi everyone,

I’m applying for Economics and aiming for a career in investment banking at a BB/EB or high finance. My predicted grades are A*AA (DT, Physics, and Math, respectively), and my GCSEs were pretty average: B, C, 466667789.

I’ve shortlisted Bath (great placement programme), Bristol, KCL, and Nottingham, all of which I meet the A*AA requirements for. I need help narrowing these down to 2-3 choices. I’m not including Durham because of its remote location and limited social scene.

I’m also unsure about safety options (AAA/AAB or ABB) that align with my career goals. Any recommendations for universities with strong alumni networks in high finance or placement opportunities would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

10 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:

  1. Target Universities for Investment Banking in the UK: LSE, Oxford, and Cambridge are the top targets, followed by UCL, Imperial, and Warwick. While Bath, Bristol, KCL, and Nottingham are strong choices, they are considered semi-targets. Among these, KCL might have an edge due to its London location, which facilitates networking opportunities.

  2. Bath: Known for its excellent placement program, Bath is a solid choice if you value internships and work experience. However, it is not as strong in terms of alumni presence in high finance compared to KCL or Bristol.

  3. Bristol: A semi-target with a good reputation in finance. It has a strong alumni network and decent placement opportunities, making it a reliable choice.

  4. KCL: Its London location is a significant advantage for networking and internships. While not as strong as LSE or UCL, it still offers good opportunities for breaking into investment banking.

  5. Nottingham: While it has a good reputation, it is slightly less competitive than the others on your list in terms of placement into high finance roles.

Recommendations:

  • Top Choices: KCL and Bristol should be your top two picks due to their stronger alumni networks and placement opportunities in high finance.
  • Third Choice: Bath is a great option if you prioritize its placement program.
  • Safety Options: Consider universities like Exeter, Queen Mary (London), or Reading (Henley Business School). These have lower entry requirements (AAA/AAB/ABB) and decent placement records in finance.

For a career in investment banking, prioritize universities with strong alumni networks, proximity to London, and robust placement programs.

Sources: The Comprehensive List of Transfer Friendly Schools For Investment Banking, Help me choose the right university for Investment Banking, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/investment-banking-in-the-uk-an-overview?customgpt=1, Screwed up my A Levels, what courses can I go for to still make it in IB?, Intro to Investment Banking

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

I’m aware that durham is the best of the semi targets but it’s in the middle of no where and i’ve heard that the student life isn’t great and quite depressing so i knocked it off my list. 

 
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