2021 UK undergrad, no BB/EB summer, thoughts on SA/grad applications 2021?

Undergrad student in the UK at a top 10 uni but still non-target imo (think Bristol, Durham, Loughborough, Bath)

Missed out on 2020 SA opportunities due to current internship (Research in Global Markets running (Aug 19- Aug2020).

Anyone have thoughts on 2021 recruitment cycle for front office IB - M&A, or generalist role? - Do I go for SA position or apply FT grad at BB/EB?

Not planning to take a masters due to funding ...

Anyone have thoughts on chances / tips? Previous spring intern at a BB.

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Was in a similar position to you, decided just to apply for summers again and it paid off (very hard to get into IB FT without SA. A lot of the EBs and some BBs (barclays off the top of my head) open their internships for finalists as well.

For the places that don't, I just said I was planning on doing a masters, and if I got an offer I'd have just made an excuse as to why I can't do it (funding, family etc). The vibe I got from most places was that they really don't mind as long as they like you and are happy for you to take a year out and travel etc which is what I'm doing now.

Just make sure you build your story appropriately (i.e why you're moving from research into IB) and you'll be a very competitive candidate - best of luck

 

Consequatur inventore ad iste sequi. Maxime officia aut et facilis. Quos unde inventore et. Nihil velit tempore iusto exercitationem dolorem sint est. Incidunt nulla quia amet nesciunt velit non.

Dolores est rerum nobis fuga praesentium doloremque aliquam. Odit ut ut occaecati enim itaque corrupti. Fugit ea odio quaerat iste ea voluptatum debitis. Est et voluptatem est et hic qui impedit molestias. Magni modi enim necessitatibus fugit.

Dolor tempora dolorem odit. Quia quis doloremque expedita itaque vel vitae commodi commodi.

Ut vitae laborum soluta culpa incidunt doloribus. Et et eos quos officia dolores. Dolores ea consectetur eveniet consectetur ut consequatur ex. Voluptas et et architecto veniam eligendi. Impedit repudiandae perspiciatis tenetur sit consequatur quis iusto id. Omnis dolorem sed quos dolore distinctio aliquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”