The Student Room Group

Spring Week HELP

hi so I am about to start a Politics Degree at Surrey and was wondering what the realistic chances are of me getting a spring week internship is?
I saw a few openings online that said 'University Disciplines' (which i am assuming means course) doesn't matter - but will the big banks look down on Surrey and/or me taking Politics and not Economics.

I really want some sort of spring week internship, as I want to go into consulting in the future.

Reply 1

Surrey is a non-target. Definitely an uphill battle. Suggest checking out the Canary Wharfian website as there are tons of useful info there.

Reply 2

hi so I am about to start a Politics Degree at Surrey and was wondering what the realistic chances are of me getting a spring week internship is?
I saw a few openings online that said 'University Disciplines' (which i am assuming means course) doesn't matter - but will the big banks look down on Surrey and/or me taking Politics and not Economics.
I really want some sort of spring week internship, as I want to go into consulting in the future.

Hi there,

I also have a Politics background, as an International Relations student, and completed three spring weeks with the Civil Service, Moody’s and EY’s Tax department. I also reached the hirevue stage with banks such as J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America, so I’d say your background definitely isn’t a barrier if you leverage it well and take part in other activities to build your skill set and knowledge (e.g volunteering/ society roles/ insight events).

But with that being said, make sure to research the companies and industries well so that you can strongly convey your interest and suitability. And brush up on your math skills for the psychometric tests!

Hope this helps and good luck!

S, Final year BA International Relations and Arabic

Reply 3

Original post by SOAS Student Rep
Hi there,
I also have a Politics background, as an International Relations student, and completed three spring weeks with the Civil Service, Moody’s and EY’s Tax department. I also reached the hirevue stage with banks such as J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America, so I’d say your background definitely isn’t a barrier if you leverage it well and take part in other activities to build your skill set and knowledge (e.g volunteering/ society roles/ insight events).
But with that being said, make sure to research the companies and industries well so that you can strongly convey your interest and suitability. And brush up on your math skills for the psychometric tests!
Hope this helps and good luck!
S, Final year BA International Relations and Arabic

This is actually quite misleading. Most candidates will get to the HireVue stage these days so it doesn't mean anything, but most importantly, Surrey is a proper non-target. It's not even a semi-target (Bristol, Bath etc). Re degree choice, yes, it doesn't matter what you study, AS LONG AS you attend a target or semi-target. You are studying a non-relevant degree at a non-relevant university.

OP's best bet is to do a postgrad degree at a top uni. Otherwise, its a pipe dream.

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