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Official UK Government Partner Join our Investment Banking & Finance work experience today!

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..

Trusted by 12,000+ students
The Investment Banking & Finance Experience Programme

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
HIGHLIGHTSHighlights of the programme

Scroll through the programme highlights.

Stock MarketBe introduced to the tools and techniques of financial modelling and valuation as you trade stocks.
Private EquityNavigate real-world private equity scenarios, manage costs, and respond to market competition.
Financial MarketsExplore how central bank policies, like interest rate adjustments, impact the broader economy.
Hedge FundsLearn about hedge fund management and analyse case studies.
Plan Your PathChoose from a 1, 2 or 3 week programme

Pick a date that suits you and kickstart your financial career today.

PricingInvestment Banking work experience 2025 packages

Whether you choose 1, 2 or 3 weeks, we’ve got you covered.

1 week
Rising Talent £1499.00

Kickstart your career with confidence


  • Included:
  • Risk Management
  • Financial Markets
  • Trading Floor Visit
  • Stock Market
  • Private Equity
3 weeks
Future Leader £3499.00

Build a solid foundation for a brighter future


  • The ultimate immersive experience
  • Included:
  • Week 1
  • Week 2
  • Career & Life Skills
  • Professional Networking
ALUMNIHear from Students

Get inspired and read firsthand feedback from students around the world on how they enjoyed the banking summer school.

 

Krish
Krish
United Kingdom United KingdomEnrolled in 1st week

I thought the banking work experience was different to what I was expecting but It’s provided me with a new perspective on working in Finance. My favourite part was when we were discussing the different roles in the industry and breaking them down. I found it interesting when we talked about how your soft skills can maybe tether you to specific parts of the industry. I thought that was really insightful. 

Illia
Illia
United Kingdom United KingdomEnrolled in 1st week

I found the banking work experience really useful. It gave me a lot of ideas of what I want to do next in my life. My favourite part was when we looked at financial details and statistics of a business and looked at portfolio management. I am now completely sure that I want to do Banking at university and I’d also like to take Economics.

Tania
Tania
United Kingdom United KingdomEnrolled in 1st week

I found the banking work experience very beneficial and insightful. I came in here not knowing much business knowledge. I’ve found out numerous new things. My favourite moment was the workshop where we had to plan and design our own business. This was very beneficial and insightful. At the end we also audited the business which was really helpful because that what I want to go into and I got first hand experience of that. I would 100% recommend it to anyone. This week gave me a lot of knowledge and insight. If you want to pursue it at uni then I encourage you to take this course.

 

Trusted by 12,000+ students
PARTNERSProud to partner with

Study Mind partners with a whole host of renowned institutions to provide you with a law work experience programme of the highest quality.

STUDENTS Benefits for you

Boost your law school application today

Gain practical insight into financial professions, portfolio case studies and market scenarios.
Hands-On Banking & Finance Exposure
Improve your understanding of market analysis, economics and risk management.
Develop Key Banking Skills
Strengthen your personal statement and interviews with valuable work experience examples.
Boost University Applications
Connect with bankers, financiers and banking students who can offer guidance and career advice.
Network With Professionals
WHY CHOOSE STUDY MINDInvestment Banking Work Experience

1000s of students trust us

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THE PROCESSBooking Investment Banking Work Experience

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1Choose Your Programme

Select the banking work experience course that suits your needs and enrol online quickly and easily.

 

2Receive Preparation Materials 

Get exclusive pre-programme resources to help you maximise your learning and understand banking & finance concepts. 

 

3Complete Your Experience 

Engage in real-life medical scenarios, gain hands-on insight, and receive a certificate for university applications.

 

Tutors Meet our professional programme leaders

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.

Joely
Trading Analyst

Joely, a commodities trading analyst, has gained hands-on experience at top firms like Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, and Citi. As a mentor, she focuses on providing practical learning experiences and real-world insights into finance and trading. Joely is passionate about helping others develop key skills and fostering confidence, drawing from her diverse background and entrepreneurial projects like Pioneer Maths and Blaze Careers Tutoring.

Syed
Lead Strategist at Citadel

Syed holds a Master’s in Finance and Accounting from King’s College London, graduating with first-class honours. He specialises in asset pricing, quantitative analysis, and financial modelling, and earned a second Master’s in financial services marketing from Northumbria University. Syed has worked as a Lead Strategist at Citadel in Miami and mentors students and professionals, leading events to inspire future leaders in finance.

Adi
Investment Professional

Adi Arya has extensive experience in Hedge Funds, Investment Banking, and Finance in London. He is a key member of a UK hedge fund managing over $5.2bn. Previously, Adi was Vice President at HPS Investment Fund and worked at RBC and Evercore. He offers valuable insights into the challenges, hurdles, and benefits of working in finance.

Ian
Financial Tours

Ian has a deep passion for finance and the City’s trading history. With a background in history from Cambridge and London universities, he loves sharing insights into the evolution of the City’s financial hub. His private tours explore the narrow alleys where today’s massive trading centre was born.

Pragyan
LSE Graduate

Pragyan, a BSc Economics graduate from LSE, is passionate about consulting and business analytics. With a strong academic foundation and a drive to help others, he is dedicated to mentoring students, offering clear insights, and fostering critical thinking to help them succeed academically and develop valuable skills for their careers.

Shatish
Chairman of UNICEF UK

Shatish is the Chairman of a global charity, with extensive experience in corporate leadership. He holds an MBA from London Business School and has served as CFO at several FTSE-listed companies. He led the IPO of Forterra PLC on the London Stock Exchange, helping it enter the FTSE 250. His expertise includes financial strategy, leadership, and corporate growth.

Andy
Head of Forex Trading

Andy is an experienced trader and mentor with a background in Forex, Crypto, Algo, and Options trading. After years of success in the industry, he founded a company to help aspiring traders gain the skills and experience needed for a career in trading. Andy’s passion for mentoring and his practical approach make him a valuable asset to anyone looking to succeed in the trading world.

FAQsFrequently asked questions

You can find commonly asked questions below. If you have other questions, please contact us and we’d be happy to answer them.

What finance topics and skills will I learn during the programme?

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.

Can this programme help me prepare for university applications 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.

Will the Banking and Finance programme help with my university applications?

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.

How many students are in a group?

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.

Does Study Mind have a bursary scheme?

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.

How can I customise my investment banking work experience?

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!

Will I have the opportunity to network with professionals in Banking and Finance?

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.

How can this programme help me decide whether a career in Banking and Finance is right for me?

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.

What should I bring to the work experience week?

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.

Where is the work experience located?

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.

Where is the accommodation?

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.

When do I check in and check out of the accommodation?

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).

When will I receive a schedule of activities?

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.

How do you ensure the programme is a safe space for all students?

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.

Is the Banking and Finance programme suitable for students with additional learning needs or disabilities?

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.

What support is available if I have questions or concerns during the programme?

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.

How do you ensure student safety during the programme?

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.

How do I book, and what are the entry requirements?

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.

How does the programme compare to traditional banking work experience?

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.

Does Study Mind offer any additional support after the programme ends?

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.

Who are the professionals leading the Banking and Finance programme?

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.

What makes Study Mind’s Banking and Finance programme unique?

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.

DOWNLOAD A BROCHURESee how this experience can transform your life

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
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