Best UK Semi-Target Uni

Interested to hear what people’s opinions on the best UK Semi-Target University is based on working alongside Analysts / Associates from those universities in FT roles, as well as based on how well those uni’s perform in interviews etc

UK Semi-Targets (apologies if i missed any):
Bath
Bristol
Durham
Exeter
King’s
Nottingham
Manchester
St Andrews

 

https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/20-most-frequently-asked-questio…

All place well. Wouldn't consider Manchester a semi-target. There is like 1 person per year making it to FO roles from there.

Quality of the analyst/associate is completely independant from the uni - I must say though that I have a good friend from Durham and he is good fun.

 

Edinburgh definitely deserves to be there - the "culture" is right for banking (as sad as that may be) and it's a solid uni, especially as many Scots will choose it (and St Andrews) over Oxford-Cambridge-Imperial-LSE due to fees. 

Nottingham seems well-represented in most banks (strong economics programme). Bath has very strong econ/maths departments which naturally mean it places quite well. Exeter, Manchester, and Bristol seem to be less common IMO, even though you could argue they're marginally more prestigious unis and Bristol is very strong at engineering, which usually would place well. King's is overrated because it's in London - better rep. outside the UK than in due to the name and location - but doesn't seem to place very well into banking (or consultancy, for that matter). Most King's folk I know are having to do a Masters at Oxbridge/LSE to get a decent job, but make of that what you will. Except for the Scottish unis, Durham is the most traditionally "prestigious" of this lot and I'd suggest it would place the best if you opt for a non-STEM/econ subject (i.e. social sciences/humanities); a lot of people outside of London really do see it as "that step below Oxford" (equal to Imperial, LSE, UCL), and while they're wrong, I think that reputation still persists a little.
 

 

I graduated ages ago, can someone explain how competitive unis are these days? I see people from top independent schools with like 10A* at GCSEs and 3-4A* at A level ending up in eg Bath, Exeter and Notts for economics? The only guess I can make is they didn't want to go to London (if they went to school there), didn't like Warwick campus and didn't get into Bristol because so many Oxbridge rejects go there? Back in my day 10A* at GCSEs was like auto offer for LSE

 

They are not competitive at all - Bristol Econ has an offer rate of like 85%. I think it’s just a posh people thing where they just seem to view all targets/semi-targets to be the same except for Oxbridge, so just choose to go to the one they like the most.

 
Most Helpful

Qui deleniti ullam commodi rerum officia. Amet dicta sed repellendus modi voluptatem voluptatem ut. Et fugit excepturi natus praesentium magni omnis sed ducimus. Dolore et temporibus vel facilis dolore totam eveniet. Ea maxime eos at ipsam dignissimos. Modi consequatur quasi voluptates quam. At odit dolorum repellat expedita rerum at.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”