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Investment Banking Uni Course Help!

Ok, Year 12 student here, I'm currently studying; Maths, Economics, Computing and Turkish. I'll probably get As and Bs at AS and at least 3 As at A2.
I've always wanted a front office job at a good IB (Goldman, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley...). However, which University and which course would be the best option for me? I've visited Cass and the "investment and financial risk management seemed appealing. Which course, which uni, what A level grades???

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Reply 1
Target unis are Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, ICL, UCL, and Warwick. Any degree at one of these universities would put you in a great position.
The most important thing IMO is getting into the said target universities to maximise your chances of getting an interview.

On top of that, if you are interested in S&T, you probably want quantitative elements in your degree.

Also, if you're looking at DCM or macro products, learning macroeconomics wouldn't hurt either.


If you can't get into target, staying in London is an option, as this will at least open you up for networking events.
Original post by RooT_Fifteen
The most important thing IMO is getting into the said target universities to maximise your chances of getting an interview.

On top of that, if you are interested in S&T, you probably want quantitative elements in your degree.

Also, if you're looking at DCM or macro products, learning macroeconomics wouldn't hurt either.


If you can't get into target, staying in London is an option, as this will at least open you up for networking events.
OK cool, if you don't mind me asking, what are you currently doing?
Original post by life.of.pablo
OK cool, if you don't mind me asking, what are you currently doing?


Currently a finalist undergrad.
Reply 5
Go to a target uni (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL, Imperial, Warwick) or a strong semi target like Nottingham or Durham or Bristol or Cass. The subject doesn't matter but maybe do something more maths-based as a degree of you want to work in the markets (S&T) division.
Original post by RooT_Fifteen
Currently a finalist undergrad.
Pursuing Investment Banking??
Original post by Trapz99
Go to a target uni (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL, Imperial, Warwick) or a strong semi target like Nottingham or Durham or Bristol or Cass. The subject doesn't matter but maybe do something more maths-based as a degree of you want to work in the markets (S&T) division.
Thanks for the advice.
Original post by life.of.pablo
Pursuing Investment Banking??


The dream was to become a trader. Then I did the summer internship and realised it wasn't what I was after.
Original post by RooT_Fifteen
The dream was to become a trader. Then I did the summer internship and realised it wasn't what I was after.


What are your plans now?

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Original post by Princepieman
What are your plans now?

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I plan to go into economic research
Original post by RooT_Fifteen
I plan to go into economic research


I see! Going down the PhD > lecturer route I take it?
Original post by Princepieman
I see! Going down the PhD > lecturer route I take it?


Plan on doing a PhD at some point down the line but not right now. For now, I'll be opting to work in research positions in finance.
Original post by RooT_Fifteen
Plan on doing a PhD at some point down the line but not right now. For now, I'll be opting to work in research positions in finance.


Sounds like a plan! Is economic research an actual subdivision or is the usual Equites/Fixed Income/Credit research split?
Original post by Princepieman
Sounds like a plan! Is economic research an actual subdivision or is the usual Equites/Fixed Income/Credit research split?


Where I interned, economic research belonged in FICC research.
Just a head's up regarding the 'target and semi target' universities. LSE has been taken out by JP Morgan as a 'target' uni. I was speaking to my lecturer who was an ex credit risk analyst and his colleagues who interview have said that for numerous reasons. Yes these universities are fantastic and give you a massive stepping stone in obtaining a job in IB, but its not the end of the world if you don't.

I have experienced that from my 2 years of university and worked extremely hard, this summer I am commodity trading at a Singapore multinational firm and hopefully will get a job offer in the city. Obtained a placement in a financial technology firm in the city of London which specialises in post trading clearing derivative services and the partners of the firm were all ex head's of RBS transaction banking services. So in conclusion I am not doing too bad compared to so many other graduates who are obtaining a degree maybe in a better university but struggling to find a good job.

So wherever you go just work extremely hard, be ahead of your peers and that will take you anywhere.
Original post by Madmax121
Just a head's up regarding the 'target and semi target' universities. LSE has been taken out by JP Morgan as a 'target' uni. I was speaking to my lecturer who was an ex credit risk analyst and his colleagues who interview have said that for numerous reasons. Yes these universities are fantastic and give you a massive stepping stone in obtaining a job in IB, but its not the end of the world if you don't.

I have experienced that from my 2 years of university and worked extremely hard, this summer I am commodity trading at a Singapore multinational firm and hopefully will get a job offer in the city. Obtained a placement in a financial technology firm in the city of London which specialises in post trading clearing derivative services and the partners of the firm were all ex head's of RBS transaction banking services. So in conclusion I am not doing too bad compared to so many other graduates who are obtaining a degree maybe in a better university but struggling to find a good job.

So wherever you go just work extremely hard, be ahead of your peers and that will take you anywhere.
Although I respect your experience, I am pretty sure LSE is a targert uni for JP, since on Linkedin alot of LSE graduates end up there.
Original post by life.of.pablo
Although I respect your experience, I am pretty sure LSE is a targert uni for JP, since on Linkedin alot of LSE graduates end up there.


I mean obviously there will be lots of LSE graduates at JP as this is years and years gone past. This is only very recent a lecturer has told me.
Original post by Madmax121
I mean obviously there will be lots of LSE graduates at JP as this is years and years gone past. This is only very recent a lecturer has told me.


Your lecturer isn't exactly making hiring decisions though. Quick scan of my network shows there are plenty of LSE grads starting this year and with internship offers for next year.

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Original post by Princepieman
Your lecturer isn't exactly making hiring decisions though. Quick scan of my network shows there are plenty of LSE grads starting this year and with internship offers for next year.

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That's true and I'm not saying there aren't any LSE grads getting picked by JP still most of them are from LSE, I'm just pointing out that some recruiters are seeing LSE as semi target and not target.

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