How to Pick a Career in Banking and Finance

How to Pick a Career in Banking and Finance 

Banking and finance are always popular career choices for recent graduates attracted to a fast-paced and dynamic sector. Read on to discover how to pick a career within this diverse industry, what you need to consider, and how to prepare yourself well for a successful future in banking and finance. We’ll discuss Dukes Plus’s own Young Investment Banker Summer Experience, an incredible programme with the chance to earn a UCAS-accredited work experience qualification.

Introduction

The banking and finance sector is a large, dynamic, and influential industry. It is also very globalised and international, so you could find yourself working all over the world. There is always more to learn, which attracts many top graduates who are looking for a career that is both intellectually stimulating and rewarding.

There is a large diversity of employers, roles, and potential paths into this industry. These include the major high street banks, investment banks and private equity firms, or positions within central banks such as the Bank of England. 

The roles may be client facing, working with the bank’s clients to invest their money and advise them, they may be on the trading floor trading stocks, or you could find a role that is more policy oriented. These roles have various routes into them including graduate schemes straight after university, some banks offer apprenticeships, and other more specialised roles may require further study or training.

It is worth setting aside plenty of time to research the industry and roles within it as it is so large and complex. This guide can help you get started and answer some of your questions about how to pick a career in banking and finance.

Banking and finance in 2026	Why it matters for students
UK financial and related professional services contributed £290bn to UK real GVA in 2025.	Finance remains one of the UK’s most economically important career sectors.
The sector employed almost 2.5 million people in 2024.	Career options extend far beyond investment banking, including insurance, accountancy, fintech, compliance and professional services.
Two thirds of UK financial and related professional services jobs are outside London.	Students should not assume that a finance career has to mean working only in the City.
AI, data, regulation and fintech are increasingly important.	Students should build technical, analytical and commercial skills alongside traditional finance knowledge.

Self-Assessment

As with choosing any career, it is important to spend time carefully considering your own personal interests, skills, and values to see how they align (or not!) with the career and industry you are considering. While it is possible to learn new skills, understanding where you have a natural aptitude and interest will be highly valuable in the long run. Banking is challenging, can be stressful, and involves long hours. This is challenging for anyone, but if you do not find the work engaging and a good match for your skills, you will likely find it miserable. 

It’s a good idea to spend time now talking with others who have either hands-on experience  in the area, or helping students choose the best career path for them (such as career counsellors). You may also want to try a personality test which will give you a breakdown of your key strengths that you can then apply to your consideration of different roles. Most jobs will have a “person specification” that describes the ideal candidate. You could spend some time looking at these in banking and finance and see which type of roles sound like they could be you!

Overview of Career Options

Broadly speaking, banking and finance can be categorised into investment banking, retail banking, financial planning, insurance, corporate finance. They all play a distinct role in the industry and it is good to understand the differences between them.

Retail banking and building societies work to enable individuals and businesses to manage their money and access products such as loans, mortgages and insurance, whereas investment banks and corporate finance work more with businesses and financial institutions. 

If you are particularly interested in deals, markets and corporate advisory work, you may also want to read our guide on how to become an investment banker.

Financial planning roles focus on the provision of advisory services, and support people and organisations looking to plan their financial futures. Insurance professionals generally work closely with other professionals, including doctors, lawyers and fire officers, to gather evidence, assess risk and resolve claims against insurance policies.

Educational and Skill Requirements

The specific requirements will depend on how specialist the role is and the working environment. Companies will generally accept applications from graduates with degrees in subjects spanning a range of disciplines, though finance, business, and economics are the most closely related.

Most large employers running graduate schemes and work placements will ask for a 2:1 or above, and may also specify a certain number of UCAS points or minimum grades at A-level.

Vocational finance qualifications in areas such as tax and investment management may be viewed by recruiters as more important than a degree. It’s important to be aware that these recognised awards can often be gained once you’re working in the industry, either through part-time study or distance learning.

Whatever your degree or chosen role however, some high-level skills are essential throughout the industry. These include numerical and analytical skills, problem-solving, and the ability to communicate clearly with colleagues and clients.       

Internships and Entry-Level Opportunities

Most banks offer internships which you can pursue in your university vacations. These, along with entry-level positions, are an essential way of gaining practical experience in the industry and a realistic understanding of the skills needed to success. If you do well, you may even be offered a permanent job for when you finish your degree.

For school students, it is also worth researching banking work experience in Year 12, as early insight programmes, summer schools and finance-related extracurriculars can help you build confidence before university applications.

The best place to start is to explore the banks’ careers pages and check deadlines. There are usually multiple stages of assessment and interviews so be sure to leave yourself enough time to prepare and complete the application. These opportunities are highly valuable in getting into the industry. Although you are only likely to be working on fairly low-level projects, the chance to receive mentorship and an insight into the industry means that these positions are highly sought after by top students.

Certifications and Further Education

There are various important certifications and licenses that enhance credibility and career prospects. These include getting certified as a Chartered Financial Analyst, Risk Manager, Certified Management Accountant, and various certificates in specialised banking procedures and policy areas. One of the attractions of this industry is the constant opportunities to learn and to develop professionally. The industry and its requirements move fast, so it essential to stay up to date in order to advance professionally and also to serve your clients well.

Understanding the Work Environment

Your work environment will largely depend on the specifics of your role. However, there are roles in corporate offices where you will likely be behind a desk, or if you are involved in trading you will be on the stock exchange floor. If you are working in a client facing role you are likely to work in an office at your institution but may also sometimes travel to your clients’ locations. Many roles involve international travel, which can be a positive for some people and challenging for others.

The work culture will vary slightly from firm to firm and role to role, but generally speaking banking and finance is a fast paced and competitive industry. You will be expected to work long hours, to tight deadlines, and clients can be exceptionally demanding. For some people, this may be an enjoyable challenge, but others may find it draining, especially if they are not truly passionate and engaged in the work. Internships can be an excellent way to explore the reality and see if a role in this industry is right for you.

Networking and Professional Development

Networking within the industry is essential for career growth and opportunities. There are plenty of ways to build and maintain professional relationships, at all stages of your career, including attending industry conferences, joining professional organizations, and using LinkedIn. At university, there may be a banking or investment society you can join where they invite speakers in the industry to learn from.

Long-Term Career Planning

It is certainly possible to enjoy a long and stimulating career in banking and finance and an essential part of this is careful forward planning. This can involve setting clear goals for your career and achievements one year, five years, and ten years from now. These should be reviewed regularly and ideally discussed with a mentor in the industry. One route to success and advancement is to take every opportunity for learning and find a specialism where you can develop real expertise.

Making the Decision

Banking and finance continues to be a popular career path for top graduates. It offers intellectual stimulation, financial rewards, and career progression. It is important to consider both personal fulfilment and professional growth when choosing a career, so researching, talking to people, and undertaking internships is always time very well spent. 

The Young Investment Banker Summer Experience

For students who want to explore investment banking before university, the Young Investment Banker Summer Experience offers a practical way to understand what a career in finance could look like.

Designed for students aged 15–18, the programme introduces participants to key areas of investment banking, including sales and trading, mergers and acquisitions, asset management, private equity, venture capital, fintech and ethical investing. Rather than learning about banking only in theory, students take part in hands-on simulations, including live market trading, a mock M&A deal, portfolio-building exercises and investment pitch activities.

FAQs

What careers are there in banking and finance?

Banking and finance includes a wide range of careers, including investment banking, retail banking, corporate finance, asset management, wealth management, insurance, financial planning, risk, compliance, fintech, private equity and financial regulation. The right path will depend on your interests, strengths and preferred working environment.

Is banking and finance a good career in 2026?

Banking and finance remains a strong career choice for students who enjoy problem-solving, numbers, analysis and fast-paced work. The sector is competitive, but it offers a broad range of career routes, from graduate schemes and internships to apprenticeships, and specialist professional qualifications.

What subjects are best for a career in finance?

Helpful subjects include maths, economics, business, further maths, computer science and accounting. However, many finance employers accept students from a wide range of degree backgrounds, provided they can show strong analytical ability, commercial awareness and communication skills.

Do you need a finance degree to work in banking?

You do not always need a finance degree to work in banking. Degrees in economics, maths, business, engineering, computer science, politics and other analytical subjects can also be relevant. Some students enter the sector through apprenticeships or professional qualifications rather than a traditional university route.

How can students get banking work experience?

Students can look for spring weeks, insight days, internships, virtual work experience, school finance societies, investment competitions and structured career experience programmes. For students aged 15-18, a programme such as the Young Investment Banker Summer Experience can provide an early introduction to the industry.

What skills do you need for a banking and finance career?

Key skills include numerical reasoning, analysis, problem-solving, attention to detail, teamwork, communication and commercial awareness. Increasingly, students may also benefit from developing data, coding, AI literacy and financial modelling skills.

Is investment banking very competitive?

Yes, investment banking is one of the most competitive areas of finance. Students can strengthen their applications by building commercial awareness, gaining relevant work experience, networking, joining finance societies and preparing early for assessment centres and interviews.

What is the best way to decide if finance is right for me?

The best way to decide is to combine research with practical experience. Read about different finance roles, speak to people in the industry, attend careers events, try investment simulations and look for work experience. This will help you understand whether the day-to-day work suits your skills and interests.