Imperial College London
London, United Kingdom
QS #2Merit scholarships
Computing · Electrical & Electronic Engineering · Mathematics
- Tuition
- Est. £38,000–£50,000 per year for international students
- Deadline
- Typically late January
What this career is
Investment bankers help companies and governments raise money and complete transactions. Analysts build financial models, prepare pitch materials and support deal execution.
What professionals do
- Build valuation and merger models
- Prepare pitch books
- Research industries and companies
- Coordinate due diligence on live deals
Outlook: Highly competitive with long hours; internships are critical for entry.
Official occupation data
- Financial and Investment Analysts$102,740
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$78,660
- Investment Fund Managers$166,570
- Financial Managers$166,570
Tasks, skills, US pay and job growth from O*NET and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Key skills
Financial modelling
analyticalCore to investment banking, equity research, corporate finance and many consulting cases.
Start with
- · Learn the three financial statements and how they link
- · Build a simple DCF valuation
Accounting fundamentals
analyticalAccounting is the language of business; it underpins finance, consulting and entrepreneurship.
Start with
- · Learn the accounting equation and double-entry
- · Read an annual report of a company you know
Excel & spreadsheets
technicalFinance, consulting and business roles rely on spreadsheets daily for analysis and communication.
Start with
- · Learn lookups, pivot tables and charts
- · Rebuild a simple budget or financial statement
Public speaking
communicationInterviews, pitches, Model UN and leadership roles all reward clear spoken communication.
Start with
- · Join a debate or Model UN club
- · Present a project in under five minutes
Negotiation
communicationUseful for consulting, sales, entrepreneurship and diplomacy.
Start with
- · Learn interests vs. positions
- · Practise in Model UN or case competitions
Education paths
- 1Bachelor's in finance, economics or a quantitative field
- 2Summer analyst internship is the main route in
- 3CFA or MBA for later progression
Universities strong in Finance & Accounting
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
QS #11Merit scholarships
BBA (Finance) · BEcon & Finance · Bachelor of Laws
- Tuition
- Est. HK$180,000+ per year for non-local students
- Deadline
- Main rounds typically from autumn into January
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA, United States
QS #15Limited need-based aid
Wharton Economics · Huntsman Program in International Studies & Business · Computer Science
- Tuition
- Est. above $60,000 per year before aid
- Deadline
- Typically 1 November
Typical entry-level roles
Investment Banking AnalystSummer AnalystM&A Analyst
Build your profile
Recommended extracurriculars
- · Investment society
- · Stock-pitch and case competitions
- · CFA Research Challenge
Recommended competitions
PrizesIn person
- Location
- Local, regional and global rounds
- Deadline
- Typically autumn, through your local CFA society
PrizesOnline
- Location
- Online
- Deadline
- Typically September
Recommended internships & programmes
PaidIn person
- Location
- Offices worldwide
- Deadline
- Most summer roles open in late summer/autumn
Certifications that help
Finance & Accounting
CFA® Program (Level I)
CFA Institute
The leading credential for investment analysis and portfolio management.
- Cost
- One-time enrollment fee + exam fee (see CFA Institute); scholarships available
- Time
- About 300 hours of study per level
Finance & Accounting
Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC)
Bloomberg
Economics, currencies, fixed income and equities through Bloomberg data.
- Cost
- Often free through your university's Bloomberg terminal access
- Time
- 8–10 hours