Msc Corporate Finance at Bayes University

Congratulations on your acceptance to the MSc Corporate Finance at Bayes University! That's a solid step towards breaking into investment banking (IB) in London. Based on the most helpful WSO content, having a master's degree, especially in a relevant field like Corporate Finance, can certainly bolster your profile and improve your chances of landing a role in IB. It demonstrates a commitment to the field and provides you with the technical skills that are highly valued in the industry.

Regarding your second question about the summer analyst (SA) recruitment timeline:

• Application Timing: You should apply for SA positions in the year before the summer internship. For the SA 2025 positions, applications typically open in August of the previous year, which would be August 2024 in your case.
• Status as an Incoming Student: When you apply in August, you would indeed be an 'incoming' student. It's common for students to apply for internships before they have actually started their program. You should indicate on your application that you are an incoming MSc Corporate Finance student at Bayes University.
• Application Strategy: Don't wait until you have started the course in September to apply. By then, many banks may have already closed their applications or be well into the recruitment process. The UK recruitment cycle can be quite early and swift, especially for competitive firms.

Remember, based on previous WSO threads, some banks may have specific requirements regarding your educational status, so it's important to present yourself as a penultimate year student during the application process to meet the criteria for summer internships, which are typically aimed at penultimate year students.

Good luck with your applications, and make sure to prepare thoroughly for the recruitment process!

Sources: International Student - Chance of getting an IBD internship in London?, London 2024 SA timeline, FT recruiting timeline London, SA and Full Time Recruiting 2020 thread, London (Dutch) FT recruiting