University Choices '24 (UK) - Thoughts & Advice?

Hey,

Preparing for next year's university intake & Interested in breaking into investment banking. I will be retaking an A-Level to get to requirements and will be aiming for an A (B at the very least), which will put my entire grades Between: A*, A, then A/B.

I'm targeting LSE/UCL/Warwick as I know these are the strongest, and my current priority is in this order with LSE being first.

I wanted to know people's thoughts on what the rankings of such universities would be in their personal experiences as of late, their finance societies etc, and how well people have found them to place into IB recently.

I know LSE is my priority given their careers services & pedigree within is something I would enjoy.

But how do UCL/Warwick compare to this too? I know UCL's location is good being in London, but unsure on if this should be a deciding factor, as ultimately if Warwick's prestige is bigger (and still relatively close by), my priorities should favour Warwick.

Additionally, I'll be looking to know if I've missed any target universities that I would be eligible for with my grades, or anything more I should consider.

Thank you in advance!

They're all targets, with LSE being better of course but they'll all get you past the 1st screening/to an interview.

No offense, but aren't those universities normally expecting an A* at least in their popular Econ/Finance courses? Was recently reading about the grade inflation post-covid and I'm sure it's more competitive now than just having the grades on the website to get in, but correct me if wrong.

All targets, LSE is the strongest that's undebatable. Being in London doesn't matter because networking isn't a thing in the UK, though you may have to travel for any Acs you get (likely under 4 times through your uni life so shouldn't be a factor). Eventually Warwick vs UCL is campus life vs London, although Warwick seems to be doing slightly better off late I wouldn't make a decision based on it. Both should be fine.

How often are ACs in the internship application process?

And even travelling to London is not so bad, c. 2 hrs from Warwick.

Do you have experience with their societies as this would be a factor of mine. I'm aware of London being significantly more expensive too, and I would also really enjoy living there, but it might be hard to get nice accommodation compared to Warwick.

Thanks for the help!

Most Helpful

Warwick is only around an hour away. Yeah in the entire summer process you probably won't have to go more than 3 times, and that of course is only if you don't convert the earlier ones / find something better. Overall I wouldn't base a decision off it at all.

Makes sense to join one major finance society as an exec if you can (or on research teams), and to start up a society that doesn't exist that can be anything you can talk about in interviews that's different say a fooseball society. Basically just something an interviewer will want to know more about and that you be (or act) really passionate about. 

I also think you should definitely aim for at least an A because chances of getting into any of these are significantly lower without it. Notts isn't a target but every alum I've met has been very motivated and it seems like there's a lot of people gunning for IB so maybe consider them and Kings/Exeter/Manchester

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