Finance Internships

Do you need an internship to get into finance?

An internship is one of the best ways to get into finance. Plus, the connections you make during your internship can open doors you didn't even know existed. Many interns receive placement and even graduate offers from their employers.

You’re not limited to regular summer internships either. Off-cycle internships - or Spring Weeks - are your secret weapon for breaking into finance if you missed the summer round of internships or want that extra experience before graduating.

These schemes run for three to six months outside the typical summer period at big banks like Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Barclays. Off-cycle internships are great because they’re less competitive, have simpler application processes, and offer valuable CV-boosting experience.

What do you do in a finance internship?

In short, loads! Internships are less about getting the coffee order in and more about getting stuck in. You’ll be treated like any other employee, and you’ll get involved in projects that matter and that’ll have an impact on your career goals.

Finance is a broad term, and there are so many different avenues you can choose. Here are a few internships you could do:

• Asset management

• Private equity

• Risk management

• Finance analyst

• Corporate and business tax.

Depending on what your avenue is (some internships might give you the chance to try a few) your day-to-day could include some of the following:

• Analyse data to discover hidden financial stories and trends

• Create visuals and reports that help management make smart decisions

• Research what's happening in markets before everyone else

• Use budgeting to help shape the company's future through smart financial planning

• Use forecasting tools to predict what comes next.

Basically, your internship will give you a well-rounded picture of the financial world and help you find your place.

What skills do you need for a finance internship?

Don't worry about needing to know everything. Finance internships are available for anyone interested in finance, regardless of what you study. Employers understand you're there to learn and are ready to teach you what you need to know.

Soft skills are always a good idea, and the best part is that you already have a truckload of them. Here are some of the soft skills employers are looking for in finance interns:

• Adaptability

• Communication 

• Attention-to-detail

• Problem solving

• Critical thinking.

While you'll learn most technical skills on the job, it’s good to know what some of these are:

• Microsoft Excel

• Risk management

• Financial reporting

• Accounting software (Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics and so on)

• Credit analysis.

Remember, the whole point of an internship is to learn. So focus on showing your enthusiasm and soft skills through a really damn good CV. 

Which financial institutions offer internships?

Whether you want to work for one of the giant companies like Bloomberg or PwC or high street faves like NatWest, there are loads of employers actively seeking students to fill their finance internships. Here are some of our top finance employers:

Want to know more about what it’s like to be an intern? Read our student-written reviews.

Finance internships in London

London isn't just about iconic landmarks and red buses, it’s also the financial hub of the UK.

Some of the most well-known companies, like Deloitte, Morgan Stanley and Natwest Group, call London home, and they’re offering you the very best in financial internship opportunities.

London internships come with a sweet bonus: a pay package that reflects London’s current cost of living. While the national average internship salary is around £20,000, London interns can earn up to £30,000 – giving your bank balance a serious boost.

Whilst London is a great city, you don’t necessarily have to move there for a finance role. There are plenty of exciting finance roles across the UK in cities like Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff and Glasgow, which are fast becoming regional hubs for finance.

How much does a finance intern get paid?

The finance sector doesn't just offer great careers; it offers seriously competitive salaries. As a finance intern, you could earn around £29,000 pro rata.

Location can also matter when it comes to your internship pay. For example, in London, you'll earn between £30,000 and £33,000 pro rata, while in Glasgow, you'll receive around £27,000 pro rata. Always check the specific details in job descriptions and don't hesitate to ask about salary during interviews - it's your right to know!

Even during a short internship, you're entitled to important benefits like holiday pay. That dream trip to Santorini? Book it.

How do I apply for an internship in finance?

Finance internships usually start in the summer, so you can apply for a role as early as September. These internships are super popular, so you’ll need to apply early. It’s always worth checking out your fave employers all year round, too, as they’ll be looking for students to join them on their off-cycle programmes too.

Ready to apply? We love that for you! Check out all our top-tier application advice, where you’ll find everything from crafting a showstopping CV to acing your assessment centre and interviews. Click below to get started.