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This practical, hands-on banking work experience will provide you with real-life skills and understanding of financial markets, trading, private equity, and more! Scroll down for more information..
In our investment banking & finance programme, you can actively pursue unique hands-on experiences, including involvement in real-world financial projects and shadowing experienced investment bankers. These experiences will enable you to cultivate essential skills and acquire insights that will set you apart in your future investment banking endeavours!
Ages: 15 - 18 years old
Duration: 1 - 3 weeks
Class size: 10-12 students
Location | Central London
Pick a date that suits you and kickstart your financial career today.
Whether you choose 1, 2 or 3 weeks, we’ve got you covered.
Kickstart your career with confidence
- Included:
- Risk Management
- Financial Markets
- Trading Floor Visit
- Stock Market
- Private Equity
Your path towards your dream career
- Risk Management
- Financial Markets
- Trading Floor Visit
- Stock Market
- Private Equity
- Choice of: 2nd Banking Week or Career & Life Skills Week
Build a solid foundation for a brighter future
- The ultimate immersive experience
- Included:
- Week 1
- Week 2
- Career & Life Skills
- Professional Networking
Get inspired and read firsthand feedback from students around the world on how they enjoyed the banking summer school.
Study Mind partners with a whole host of renowned institutions to provide you with a law work experience programme of the highest quality.
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It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Select the banking work experience course that suits your needs and enrol online quickly and easily.
Get exclusive pre-programme resources to help you maximise your learning and understand banking & finance concepts.
Engage in real-life medical scenarios, gain hands-on insight, and receive a certificate for university applications.
Our industry experts bring you a wealth of experience in their field, providing you with great learning and networking opportunities. Here are some examples of previous leaders of the programme. Please note that these are subject to change.
You can find commonly asked questions below. If you have other questions, please contact us and we’d be happy to answer them.
You will explore key areas of banking and finance, including market economics analysis, risk management, private equity, and chart analysis. Additionally, you’ll develop crucial skills in trading, technical indicators, and financial market analysis—valuable tools for anyone pursuing a career in banking and finance.
Yes! This programme provides essential finance-related work experience, exposing you to key areas of banking, risk management, and market analysis. It will strengthen your personal statement and UCAS application by showcasing your understanding of financial markets and hands-on experience in the field.
Absolutely! The work experience in finance you gain through this programme will enhance your personal statement and interviews, showcasing your practical skills and commitment to a career in banking and finance. Universities value applicants with real-world experience, and our programme provides just that.
There will be no more than 12 students in every programme group. This allows for small group teaching and workshops to ensure that you get the best out of your experience.
As part of our widening participation scheme, Study Mind runs a bursary scheme for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. These include full bursaries, as well as 75% and 50% bursaries. Applications are now being accepted and students will be informed from the 16th June if they have been accepted into a programme. This scheme is on a first come, first served basis. Students wishing to apply for the scheme will need to:
- provide proof of receipt of Universal Credit, Free School Meals and Pupil Premium.
- Fill in the Bursary Application Form
- complete an essay task.
- provide a reference from a teacher (either head of sixth form or relevant subject teacher). This can be a character reference and include information on general work ethic and grades if applicable.
Students who partially meet this criteria are welcome to apply, and may be offered discounted places where free places are already assigned.
If you feel you may be eligible, kindly email [email protected] with evidence attached. Alternatively, you can contact us via phone at +44 (0) 203 305 9593 to discuss any questions you have. Please note, we will not be able to provide accommodation.
You can customise your work experience in several ways with two or three week options available:
Second Week: You can continue your investment banking work experience with a second week, where you will delve further into the field. You will have the chance to learn about mergers & acquisitions, debt markets and alternative investments. You also visit a banking start up to learn firsthand what it takes to run a finance company.
Career & Life Skills: You can choose to add a second week with our Career & Life Skills week. In this experience you will learn all about digital literacy and creating your personal brand to market yourself to future employers with LinkedIn profiles and standout CVs. You will also learn about Financial Literacy, including loans, mortgages and taxes. You will navigate the world of AI and find out how to optimise it when using it to assist you with documents like your personal statement.
A Related Work Experience Week: You can also choose to extend your work experience by choosing one of our related programmes including Business & Entrepreneurship. Or if you're thinking about a different career as well, you can choose something completely different!
Certainly! Throughout the programme, you’ll interact with finance professionals, including those working in investment banking, risk management, and private equity. These networking opportunities allow you to ask questions, receive career advice, and gain insights into different pathways within the finance work experience field.
By engaging in work experience for finance and participating in hands-on activities like the trading floor simulation, you will get a clear picture of what a career in banking and finance involves. This first-hand exposure to the financial world will help you decide if this path aligns with your interests and goals.
We recommend that students bring a notepad and pen to take notes (or a device to write on). In addition, students should bring a water bottle for the day. Students do not need to bring lunch as this will be provided but they might want to bring a couple of snacks to eat throughout the day. Please make sure these snacks are NUT FREE to take into account any students that may have nut allergies. Students on certain programmes such as Computer Science, will need to bring their own device. If you have not got a laptop, one will be provided. A specialised list will be communicated nearer to the time.
The work experience programme will take place in central London, with workshops being held in various locations. Industry placement days will be held in top London firms. Any excursions will take place in London or the surrounding areas. If excursions are held out of London, students will meet at a designated location and travel together.
Students opting for the residential programme will stay in Ramsay Hall, part of the University College London (UCL) campus. Students will stay in single occupancy rooms with shared bathroom facilities. Male and female students will be placed in separate floors.
Students will be able to arrive on the Sunday before the start of the programme. There will be a member of the Study Mind team to greet you. Students will check out on the Friday after the programme has ended. If you would like to book an extra night accommodation (e.g. Friday night), please contact us and we can arrange this for you (dependant on availability).
Students can expect to receive a finalised timetable of their work experience week by the end of May. Students will also receive further information on what to pack/bring and pre-preparation materials by mid June so that they can prepare themselves for the programme and get the most out of their experience.
We maintain an inclusive, respectful learning environment where all students feel welcome to participate. Our team enforces a strict anti-bullying policy to ensure mutual respect and collaboration. If you have any concerns during the programme, our staff will be available to support you.
Yes, we are committed to making the programme accessible for all students. If you require specific accommodations, please inform us in advance, and we will tailor the experience to suit your needs.
Our dedicated support team is available throughout the programme to assist with both academic and personal queries. Whether you need help understanding content or have general concerns, we ensure that support is always readily available.
All activities are conducted in a secure and structured environment. Our staff are DBS-checked, and we have safeguarding policies in place to ensure students' safety. For those staying in accommodation, our programme leaders are available 24/7, and university security is also present around the clock.
Booking is easy! Simply choose your programme length and complete the booking via our website. If you have any questions, you can contact us at [email protected] and arrange a call with our team. The programme is open to students aged 15-18, and no prior finance experience is required. Students coming from abroad will need a good level of English to fully participate.
Traditional placements can be difficult to secure and may not offer structured learning. Our programme provides hands-on work experience for banking, direct mentorship, and interactive learning that closely mirrors the day-to-day operations in the financial industry.
Yes, we provide continued support after the programme ends. Our team is here to help with university applications, personal statement guidance, and interview preparation, giving you the extra edge you need to pursue further education in finance or banking.
Our mentors are experienced professionals from the banking and finance sectors, including investment bankers, risk analysts, and financial market experts. They provide expert guidance, share real-world insights, and offer tailored support to help you succeed in the field.
We offer a unique blend of academic learning, real-world experience, and personal mentorship. Our structured curriculum ensures you gain invaluable finance work experience, boosting your confidence and enhancing your university applications for careers in finance or banking.
Gain real-world experience and kickstart your future today
- Gain real-world, hands-on experience
- Enhance university applications and career goals
- Experience life as a university student
- Connect with experts to boost future opportunities