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Investment banking confusion at leeds
Hi Im studying a2s at collage at the mo (business, law and sociology). Last year I did my AS's in business and sociology on home study while I was working and Im doing a 1year intensive Law this year. Ok so why am I telling you guys this? well I want to be an investment banker the plan is to get a degree then an mba then work. Trouble is I messed up sociology last year due to the study pack being total crap and ended up with a D yes a D. I also got a high B in business studies but would have got an A If I was sent the case study before the exam (home study stinks) Any way I have been offered Business economics at Leeds met but Im not sure if I would be better off waiting a year untill I get decent grades in my retakes and going to leeds uni rather than met what do you people think (I need help), also whats the best degree subject to do for investment banking. Cheers ant
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Investment banking and Leeds Met? Sorry to burst your bubble, but Investment banking is a highly competitive career- you'll need a good degree from a very good uni to even get a foot in the door (something like a 1st or 2:1 from LSE or Oxbridge).
Also, I noticed that you haven't done A level maths? Investment banking is highly numerical, if you're uncomfortable with maths I'd steer well clear. Also, business studies, sociology and law aren't exactly what Unis will be looking for if you want to go into this career.
As for good degrees, maths, economics or even something like accounting and finance (traditional approach- i.e. from a good uni like LSE) will put you in a good position.
TBH, I reckon you've only decided to do Investment banking due to the financial gain from it. True, it pays pretty well, but to get that money you have to be good at it and also extremely dedicated.
Also, I noticed that you haven't done A level maths? Investment banking is highly numerical, if you're uncomfortable with maths I'd steer well clear. Also, business studies, sociology and law aren't exactly what Unis will be looking for if you want to go into this career.
As for good degrees, maths, economics or even something like accounting and finance (traditional approach- i.e. from a good uni like LSE) will put you in a good position.
TBH, I reckon you've only decided to do Investment banking due to the financial gain from it. True, it pays pretty well, but to get that money you have to be good at it and also extremely dedicated.
yep can see that leeds met isnt the way to go. However A-Level subject choices are generally unimportant unless they are general studies etc as Unis actually prefer you not to have done your degree choice as an A-level, I also disagree totally that oxbridge people are the only ones in the industry as can be proved buy employee profiles of goldman and merril
social life at oxbridge smells of arse, gotta enjoy the 3 years
I can assure you that A level choice is important for any uni that'll give you a realistic chance of being an investment banker- you'll definately need maths and possibly economics. For example, Leeds Uni prefers applicants to have at least a B in A level maths for Economics, the same with Business and Financial economics.
As for saying that Oxbridge people are the only ones in the industry, the majority of banks recruit from the top 10 unis in the country (being completely realistic, I don't like your chances of doing investment banking with a degree from Leeds, let alone Leeds Met), with a preference towards the better Unis such as Oxbridge, LSE etc. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but these people are in the minority.
Also, saying that the 'social life at oxbridge smells of arse, gotta enjoy the 3 years' is a little irrelavent. If you want to do investment banking you want to be looking at maximising your chances- i.e. summer/easter internships throughout uni etc, as well as a good class of degree. It's not something that a graduate who concentrated on the social aspects of uni will find much success in, especially when they realise that the job involves extremely long hours etc.
As for saying that Oxbridge people are the only ones in the industry, the majority of banks recruit from the top 10 unis in the country (being completely realistic, I don't like your chances of doing investment banking with a degree from Leeds, let alone Leeds Met), with a preference towards the better Unis such as Oxbridge, LSE etc. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but these people are in the minority.
Also, saying that the 'social life at oxbridge smells of arse, gotta enjoy the 3 years' is a little irrelavent. If you want to do investment banking you want to be looking at maximising your chances- i.e. summer/easter internships throughout uni etc, as well as a good class of degree. It's not something that a graduate who concentrated on the social aspects of uni will find much success in, especially when they realise that the job involves extremely long hours etc.
MuvverRussia
I can assure you that A level choice is important for any uni that'll give you a realistic chance of being an investment banker- you'll definately need maths and possibly economics. For example, Leeds Uni prefers applicants to have at least a B in A level maths for Economics, the same with Business and Financial economics.
As for saying that Oxbridge people are the only ones in the industry, the majority of banks recruit from the top 10 unis in the country (being completely realistic, I don't like your chances of doing investment banking with a degree from Leeds, let alone Leeds Met), with a preference towards the better Unis such as Oxbridge, LSE etc. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but these people are in the minority.
Also, saying that the 'social life at oxbridge smells of arse, gotta enjoy the 3 years' is a little irrelavent. If you want to do investment banking you want to be looking at maximising your chances- i.e. summer/easter internships throughout uni etc, as well as a good class of degree. It's not something that a graduate who concentrated on the social aspects of uni will find much success in, especially when they realise that the job involves extremely long hours etc.
As for saying that Oxbridge people are the only ones in the industry, the majority of banks recruit from the top 10 unis in the country (being completely realistic, I don't like your chances of doing investment banking with a degree from Leeds, let alone Leeds Met), with a preference towards the better Unis such as Oxbridge, LSE etc. Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but these people are in the minority.
Also, saying that the 'social life at oxbridge smells of arse, gotta enjoy the 3 years' is a little irrelavent. If you want to do investment banking you want to be looking at maximising your chances- i.e. summer/easter internships throughout uni etc, as well as a good class of degree. It's not something that a graduate who concentrated on the social aspects of uni will find much success in, especially when they realise that the job involves extremely long hours etc.
yep im already aware that it involves long hours and I am also aware that specific subjects are required such as maths to do econ, what i said was that they prefer you not to have done your degree choice at a level. However I am a mature student so can get away with that. You seem to have also overlooked the fact that I will be doing an mba after my degree before I go for any job and social life is just as important as the quality of uni to maintain a balance between working hard and playing hard cheers
Investmentboy
yep im already aware that it involves long hours and I am also aware that specific subjects are required such as maths to do econ, what i said was that they prefer you not to have done your degree choice at a level. However I am a mature student so can get away with that. You seem to have also overlooked the fact that I will be doing an mba after my degree before I go for any job and social life is just as important as the quality of uni to maintain a balance between working hard and playing hard cheers
you have to do a few years of work before doing an mba, and also its not as simple as just "doing" an mba - you have to have a good C.V. to get accepted onto an mba, and also you need to do well in it, no good getting on an mba, then failing every exam you take.
Investmentboy
yep im already aware that it involves long hours and I am also aware that specific subjects are required such as maths to do econ, what i said was that they prefer you not to have done your degree choice at a level. However I am a mature student so can get away with that. You seem to have also overlooked the fact that I will be doing an mba after my degree before I go for any job and social life is just as important as the quality of uni to maintain a balance between working hard and playing hard cheers
An MBA is VERY expensive so I've heard and yes as soeone said you do need 3-5 years in a managers role usually to get into one of the top MBA schools. It's is horrendously competitive. It's much better to get a company to sponsor you, whilst you do it, to solve the money problem. Problem though is that you need your foot in the door already of said company. Unfortunatley I don't think you were advised well at all as to the A levels you should take. Maths is a MUST for any investment banker (further Maths often gives an advantage) and Economics is DAMN USEFUL and pretty important. The a levels you've taken, well they're seen as more vocational, and many of the top uni's prefer 'academic' subjects. That said, maybe you have something else to reccommend yourself at uni e.g amazing wk experience? BTW what degree are you applying for? economics?
Anyways stick at, I'm glad you're asking around for advice, it shows you're preparing, and hopefully you'll recieve some good info here.
ok so If I waited a year then went to uni what would I be best advised to do qualification wise in that year and then what unis would I be best off applying to?
Qualification wise, do Maths A level in 1 year (It's hard, but possible).
As for Unis, Oxbridge and LSE are out of the question due to your A level subjects/grades. You could try for somewhere like Birmingham, possibly Bristol, Cardiff etc. However, you could try and play the mature student card and apply to Warwick- they are pretty good at offering mature students reduced entry requirements.
TBH, you need to take a realistic look at your subjects and grades and then go from there. Although you are a mature student most places such as LSE, Oxbridge etc won't bother taking this into account, it's worth remembering this.
As for Unis, Oxbridge and LSE are out of the question due to your A level subjects/grades. You could try for somewhere like Birmingham, possibly Bristol, Cardiff etc. However, you could try and play the mature student card and apply to Warwick- they are pretty good at offering mature students reduced entry requirements.
TBH, you need to take a realistic look at your subjects and grades and then go from there. Although you are a mature student most places such as LSE, Oxbridge etc won't bother taking this into account, it's worth remembering this.
Im hoping to get this year:
sociology A/B
business A
law A
then you think I should go for intensive A-Level Maths any other ones while im at it you think would be benificial? Also whats needed for Law which I am also interested in?
cheers ant
sociology A/B
business A
law A
then you think I should go for intensive A-Level Maths any other ones while im at it you think would be benificial? Also whats needed for Law which I am also interested in?
cheers ant
Investmentboy
Im hoping to get this year:
sociology A/B
business A
law A
then you think I should go for intensive A-Level Maths any other ones while im at it you think would be benificial? Also whats needed for Law which I am also interested in?
cheers ant
sociology A/B
business A
law A
then you think I should go for intensive A-Level Maths any other ones while im at it you think would be benificial? Also whats needed for Law which I am also interested in?
cheers ant
Law degree generally needs history/english lit + two more well respected and 'academic' subjects(ie sadly none of the ones you are doing already). if you could manage to do maths and history alevel in a year then you would be well set to apply to any of the top law schools.
May I just contribute that many - if not most - investmant banks consider ALL disciplines. Goldman Sachs will take any discipline on their grad scheme. www.gs.com <sorry dont know why this link doesnt work. just type it it as "www.gs.com"
I have a friend at another bank who studied Zoology and is a successful banker now.
MBA's tend to cost in the region £22,000 - so start saving.
I have a friend at another bank who studied Zoology and is a successful banker now.
MBA's tend to cost in the region £22,000 - so start saving.
Thats cool but what unis would they accept from Leeds uni?
I wan to do a Business and finacial economics or law degree
I wan to do a Business and finacial economics or law degree
Investmentboy
Thats cool but what unis would they accept from Leeds uni?
I wan to do a Business and finacial economics or law degree
I wan to do a Business and finacial economics or law degree
Admittedly these people are from Oxbridge and at least the top ten. I don't know how Leeds rates.
Everyone except for Mentally is getting it all wrong. Concentrate one getting a good degree from a decent university. No it does not have to be economics or maths etc and it does not have to be from Oxbridge/LSE. I've been to an investment bank workshop and various talks by investment bankers and they all say the importance of doing a degree you enjoy, be it zoology, geography, .... or indeed economics if that's what you enjoy. Some have even said that when looking to take on grads, they prefer someone who lets say did zoology, and loved it, and is really enthusiastic about investment banking, rather than someone who did economics as a means to get to investment banking.
The other advice is go into investment banking because you love it, not because of the money, or else you won't enjoy it!
The other advice is go into investment banking because you love it, not because of the money, or else you won't enjoy it!
emma_
Everyone except for Mentally is getting it all wrong. Concentrate one getting a good degree from a decent university. No it does not have to be economics or maths etc and it does not have to be from Oxbridge/LSE. I've been to an investment bank workshop and various talks by investment bankers and they all say the importance of doing a degree you enjoy, be it zoology, geography, .... or indeed economics if that's what you enjoy. Some have even said that when looking to take on grads, they prefer someone who lets say did zoology, and loved it, and is really enthusiastic about investment banking, rather than someone who did economics as a means to get to investment banking.
The other advice is go into investment banking because you love it, not because of the money, or else you won't enjoy it!
The other advice is go into investment banking because you love it, not because of the money, or else you won't enjoy it!
I can only assume that the workshops you have been to where at lower profile investment banks, certainly not the world leaders; gs, merril, jp etc
Actually, Emma has summed it up very well. That is EXACTLY what the high profile banks look for. Normally, you join as a financial analyst for a few years - this is the time when you learn about the world of finance. They dont require or expect you to have an economics degree. All you need to do is show that you have studied your chosen subject with great enthusiasm and success. I guess they'll hope that you will bring that same dedication to them.
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