University or Degree Apprenticeship for investment banking.

I have an offer from University of Exeter to study investment banking, however I know that this is not a top top target University especially for IB, I am not the best with grades wise, so this is the best University offer I have. The other option is to do a DA to try break in, as I think it is easier to get a DA then land a graduate job in a competitive industry like IB. However, I do not have any offers yet so I am still applying, I have been rejected from J.P Morgan and UBS, and still waiting for Bank of America and Goldman Sachs, which I most likely wont get as I have not heard back from them in months. This means that I wont get any DA in any top IB firms. I am looking towards the Lloyds, Santander, Natwest and BNY DAs (most of them are on Commercial and corporate banking), I am hoping that if I do get into these firms then I can either move up in the company after my DA to get into IB as they will probably keep me after I finish my DA, or after my DA, with the qualification I get from this, (University degree in something along the lines of IB, 3-4 years of work experience, and possibly a chartered banker qualification) leave my current firm and apply directly as a graduate for J.P Morgan, Morgan Stanley, GoldMan, BOA etc... Is a traditional university or DA better for investment banking, obviously on paper I think the university is a better route, but only if you went LSE, Imperial, Oxbridge, so that is one of my main concern as I am only going to Uni of Exeter.

Reply 1

ozzzzyyyyyytyt

I'd say a DA would be better

Reply 2

josephsdh

I work in natwest markets which is IB you can get in with an apprenticeship, you dont need a degree to get in. they will train you and sponsor you to be fully qualified in your field. im being sponsored for ICAEW through their apprenticeship. worth a look since they come out this month (i think) and yes from there you can work up into other IBs