Banking, Investment and Markets

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here.  These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving: ability to interpret complex data, evaluate risk, and develop insights.
• Numeracy and financial literacy: strong grasp of financial concepts, modelling, and quantitative reasoning.
• Commercial awareness: understanding of financial markets, global economic trends, and how organisations create value.
• Attention to detail: essential for working with large datasets, financial models, or regulatory documentation.
• Communication and interpersonal skills: confidence in presenting ideas, influencing stakeholders, and managing client relationships.
• Resilience and adaptability: staying effective under pressure, especially in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
• Teamwork and collaboration: working effectively across diverse teams, often under tight deadlines.
• Technical and digital skills: proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint; coding (e.g. Python, R, SQL) is highly valued, especially in quantitative and tech-driven roles.
• Ethical judgement and integrity: critical in maintaining trust, especially in roles with regulatory or fiduciary responsibility. 

To develop these skills, remember Career Zone offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to develop relevant and transferable skills while demonstrating commitment to the sector. You may wish to consider involvement in: 

Structured internships and placements 

Gaining relevant experience is crucial for securing a graduate role in banking, investment, and markets—and for many employers, it’s a core part of the recruitment pipeline. Most large firms use internship programmes to identify and hire future graduates, so applying early is key: 

• Spring Weeks (typically in first year, or second year of a four-year course) are short insight programmes designed to introduce you to the industry and help you grow your networks.
• Summer internships (usually 8–12 weeks) in your penultimate year provide hands-on experience and often lead directly to graduate job offers.
• Placement year programmes (also known as industrial placements or sandwich years), which usually last 9–12 months, are available to students on a degree programme with a year in industry.
• Off-cycle internships are also available at many firms for recent graduates and those taking alternative routes.
• Smaller firms and specialist investment organisations offer graduate roles outside of formal schemes, so keep an open mind and explore all options. 

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 
If you’re unable to secure an internship with a larger firm, consider reaching out directly to smaller or regional firms with a well-targeted CV and tailored cover letter. Many opportunities—particularly in boutique investment firms or niche areas of banking—are not widely advertised, so developing your networking skills and making speculative applications can be an effective way to access shadowing or short-term experience. Before approaching employers, you may find it helpful to review our Researching employers page. 

Online experience and simulations 

• AmplifyME – AmplifyME University Pathways offers real-world simulation experiences and fast-track career opportunities in finance. The University of Exeter Business School has unlocked the Explore tier, which means you get access to a range of immersive workshops, careers sessions and on-demand learning.
• The Forage virtual experience programmes – complete free online work experience tasks from leading employers at your own pace. 

Societies 

Join student societies – such as the Exeter Student Investment Fund  or Business and Finance Society in Exeter campuses, or the Business and Finance Society , The Commercial Awareness Society or the Women in Business Society in Penryn, to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, develop commercial awareness, network with like-minded peers, and gain practical finance experience. 

Taking on roles such as treasurer or committee member in any student society can demonstrate key skills such as financial responsibility, effective communication, and strong organisational ability. 

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

• Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements
• Exeter Award: The Exeter Award will help you stand out from the crowd and give you the confidence to shout about the experiences you've had at university
• The Global Leaders Experience is a unique opportunity to develop your intercultural skills as part of a short, outbound mobility experience. 

Finding part-time work 

Gaining part-time work experience alongside your studies, even in a different sector, can still help develop the transferable skills employers value, such as customer service, teamwork, analytical thinking, or commercial awareness. Roles in retail, hospitality, data entry, administration, or finance-related support jobs can all strengthen your CV when positioned well.  

Explore Career Zone Internship schemes and have a look at Handshake, our vacancy database with employers who are targeting University of Exeter students.  For tips on finding part time work, visit the finding Part-time work page.

Many graduate schemes, internships, and spring insight programmes in banking, investment and markets are advertised up to a year in advance, so staying organised and applying early is key. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers. 

• Trackr – a dedicated platform that helps students discover and track investment banking and finance graduate schemes, summer and off-cycle internships, and spring weeks across multiple firms, all in one place.
• eFinancialCareers – a leading global site for roles and insights in investment banking, asset management, fintech, and quantitative finance.
• Bright Network – provides internship and graduate vacancies, deadline trackers, employer events, and advice, with tailored streams for Investment Banking and Asset Management.
• TARGETjobs - features internships, graduate jobs and schemes, employer profiles, and industry guides.
• Prospects - UK-focused career resources, job listings, and profiles for roles in finance, banking, and investment.
• Higherin– useful for finding spring weeks, internships and placement year opportunities.
• Student Circus - a curated job platform specifically for international students, listing UK-based graduate roles and internships that offer visa sponsorship. 

Many employers also advertise directly via their own careers pages and social media (including LinkedIn), so once you’ve identified organisations of interest, it’s worth setting up alerts and checking regularly. 

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page. 

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

 To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal. 

For help with making speculative applications you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options. 

• Prospects – Postgraduate Study – Offers guidance on whether further study is right for you, how to choose a course, and what qualifications are needed for specific careers. Includes a searchable database of UK postgraduate courses.
• FindAMasters – A comprehensive directory of taught and research-based master’s degrees in the UK and abroad. You can filter by subject area, university, and funding opportunities.
• TARGETJobs – Postgraduate Study – Covers how to choose the right course, application timelines, and how further study fits into career planning—especially relevant to competitive industries like finance.
• UCAS Postgraduate – The official postgraduate route via UCAS, offering application advice, timelines, and course information for UK-based master’s and PGCert/PGDip courses.
• Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre‑Experience Ranking 2025 – Review the leading globally ranked MSc Finance programmes designed for recent graduates, with insights into alumni salaries, ESG teaching, and career support. 

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector. 

• CFA Institute (Chartered Financial Analyst) - globally recognised for investment analysis and portfolio management. The CFA Charter (requiring completion of three exam levels and relevant work experience) provides highly respected credentials in investment roles. Some postgraduate finance degrees, such as the MSc Finance at the University of Exeter, are part of the CFA University Affiliation Program, aligning closely with CFA curriculum and supporting preparation for the qualification.
• Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) – the UK's leading professional body for securities, investment, corporate finance, compliance, and financial planning professionals. 

Advice 

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.