Finance and Investment Banking

Hi guys,

Well I just finished my trading simulation module for the first year, its worth 12% of the introductory finance module and only takes up a few weeks of your first year. I really enjoyed it, especially as the rest of the course is so theoretical and it really does give you a great/rare oppurtunity to see what trading is really like. In terms of portfolio management, your given a assignment to do in the 2nd term which introduces you to the basics of risk and return and makes you apply them to stocks from the FTSE 100.

About 50 are on the course. I would say its 50/50 in terms of english students relative to international students.

Im in Windsor, which I absolutley love. The hall may not be the most attractive and the food at times is questionable(catered), but in terms of location/social life its an absolute winner. Mackinder looks really impressive and again is right on campus, but I know it is expensive in comparison to other halls. I would really recommend being on campus as it gives you easy access to everything. I can wake up at 8:45 and get to 9:00 lectures no problem!

Internships are an interesting one. What I would really recommend looking into which I didnt know about til it was too late is spring weeks that most of the big banks offer in London (applications close at the end of each year). Having said that, I am just about to send of an application to JP Morgan in Bournemouth for the Spring 2 day programme they offer (as I live really close to Bouremouth its ideal anyway). In terms of summer internships, have not even tried looking as its something most people (including myself) dont worry about until the second year. Even though of course there is no harm in trying.

As im from Winchester, which has only 1 proper nightclub, Reading nightlife is really really good. Normally go out 3 times a week and never get bored. If your into commercial/hip-hop/dubstep then there is alot on offer, while i guess genres such as rock/indie are less well catered for.

If you want me to expand on any of this or have anymore questions let me know. I remember how much I wanted to talk to someone doing the course when I was applying last year, so have no worries

I'm looking for catered and en-suite room, which hall is providing this service?
By the way,whats the PROs and CONs of this course/reading/icma/henley business school???do you mind listing it down? based on your opinion : ) and is it easy to travel to other parts of UK easily?? Other than that, how many hours of lecture are they giving a week?and do we need to go uni everyday?

Yes im going tomorrow

What did you think?

I thought it was excellent. Really enjoyed the whole place and the day. Very informative.

A little concerned about the graduate and internship prospects. When i spoke to the careers advisor guy, from what i gathered, Reading didnt have the best repuation within banking and graduates really had to struggle to get where they wanted.

Hopefully i can speak to someone at Birmingham university and see what they say. I fear at that distance from London, they may really struggle to get the banks in for career fairs but i feel they are a more respected university in general.

Either way, id be very happy studying at either, but hats off to Reading for providing and excellent open day.

hey

in all honesty, regarding accomadation, i dont really know any hall that provides both ensuite and catered facilites. Possibly Wantage. Heres a list of halls and what they provide: http://www.reading.ac.uk/life/accommodation/AccListofHalls.aspx

PROS: The ICMA centre is a first class facility; the building is stunning, the technology available is one in a kind in this country (to my knowledge) and the teaching is excellent aswell (most lecturers have high amounts of experience in the city). Also, im already exploiting the careers service, which is again is incredibly useful and easy to access. In terms of employment, I think 92% of ICMA graduates get a job in the first 6 months of graduation, a statistic competing with the top courses in oxbridge. It also highlights how many get the jobs they want.

I am really enjoying the course, its very different to any other in the country from what i can gather. I mean, we had a lecture on futures contracts the other day, i doubt many first years are already learining about those! And the trading, well, I know for a fact that is highly unique.

Reading uni itself is great. The campus is really nice and relaxed. Sports facilites are pretty good and the campus is constanty being improved. Its about a 20 minute walk into town, which has loadsss of shops and very good nightlife, both of which make it good for student employment and enjoying yourself.

Cons: In terms of the ICMA centre, i honestly cant find any disadvantages in the facilites, teaching or careers service. However, what i suppose I could say is dont think this course is a guarentee in terms of getting a front office job in a top investment bank! a) I dont think its really that well known in the city and theres still aot of discrimination over which university graduates are employed b)obviously demand for front office roles are not that high atm, which just makes it even more difficult. But I must I add, I know there are people who make it!!!!

Transport links are excellent, especially by train. London is 25 mins away, there is a direct train to manchester and you can access the south (where i live) and the west very easily.

At the moment, I have about 11 hours of lectures a week, but this fluctuates as I only have some classes every 2 weeks.

And yerr I have lectures everyday, but weekends get boring sometimes so I just go home

Hope that helps

I am very interested in this course but don't necessarily want to become an investment banker, does that matter or is the focus of the degree too narrow?

Whos currently at Reading?

Is there a lot of student housing around the campus? (not halls) and what sort of price would you expect to pay? (double bed room, in a house finished to a reasonable standard)