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A few minutes to understand how careers in finance work, what to do at each age, and where families usually get caught out. No jargon.
▶ The whole path, in 90 seconds
The path
From Year 11 to a first job, in plain English
- Year 11
Choose A levels that keep doors open. Maths matters most.
- Year 12
Work experience, wider reading, and the first look at universities and apprenticeships.
- Year 13
University applications by January, or apply for a degree apprenticeship at a bank.
- First year at uni
Spring weeks: one-week programmes at banks. Applications close by the new year.
- Second or third year
Summer internships. Most graduate jobs come from these.
- Final year
The graduate offer.
Most families find this out a year too late. You haven’t.
Jargon buster
The words you’ll hear
- Spring weekA one-week taster at a bank for first-year students. Often leads to an internship.
- InternshipA paid summer role, usually ten weeks. The main route to a graduate job.
- Assessment centreThe final stage: interviews, group tasks and tests, often in one day.
- Degree apprenticeshipJoin a bank at 18, earn a salary and get a degree paid for by the employer.
- Return offerA job offer at the end of an internship.
Two routes
University or degree apprenticeship?
University
- A degree from a top university
- Internships from first year
- Tuition and living costs, usually funded by a student loan
Degree apprenticeship
- A role at a leading bank from 18
- A salary from day one
- A degree with no tuition fees
Both are excellent. Apprenticeships at top banks are as competitive as the best universities.
Applying to university? See university applications →Why each step matters
Each step opens the next
Getting one stage right makes the next one easier. Missing it makes the next door harder to reach.
A levels
Get it right: the strongest courses stay open. Miss it: some degrees, and the firms that hire from them, close off.
Year 12 experience
Get it right: a personal statement with real substance. Miss it: an application that looks like everyone else's.
Spring week
Get it right: a fast track to an internship. Miss it: the next year starts with less to show.
Internship
Get it right: most graduate offers go to former interns. Miss it: competing for the few places left.
Where it can lead
Careers at the world’s leading firms
Get each step right, and these are the firms you compete for.
First-year pay
£84,000
Average total pay for first-year analysts at major London banks, including bonus.
Source: PrepLounge, October 2026. Pay varies widely by firm and role. Not a guarantee of earnings.
Questions parents ask
The honest answers
Does my child need contacts?
No. Most people at top firms got in through the normal application process. What matters is knowing how it works, and preparing early.
Is it worth the money?
Start with the free call. You'll leave with a clear plan either way. If a programme is the right fit, we'll explain exactly what it includes before you decide anything.
What if they don't get in?
The skills carry over. Strong applications, test preparation and interview practice help with every competitive route, in finance and beyond. We also plan a second route from the start.
How involved should I be?
As involved as your child wants. Most parents join the first call, then step back while we work with their child directly, with regular updates.
Want a plan for your child?
A free 30-minute call with our Founder and Head of Advisory. You leave with clear next steps, whatever you decide.
Book a free call →