How to start a career in finance: a guide for university students

This guide is for university students who want to understand the finance sector, make informed career decisions, and take proactive steps toward securing a great finance graduate job.

Introduction to careers in finance

Finance remains one of the most sought-after career paths for high-achieving graduates - offering high salaries, challenging environments, and strong progression opportunities. But finance is far more diverse than just trading stocks or crunching numbers. It’s a wide-ranging field with roles that suit many different skill sets and interests.

Here are some of the most popular paths in finance:

• Investment Banking: Helping clients with mergers, acquisitions, and raising capital. Demanding hours but excellent compensation.
• Asset Management: Managing clients’ investments, from individuals to institutional funds like pensions.
• Corporate Finance: Working inside companies on budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
• Accounting and Audit: Ensuring financial accuracy and compliance with regulations.
• Fintech: Combining finance and technology to create new platforms and services.
• Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating financial risks to protect organizations.

Each path has its pros and cons—so it’s worth exploring which one aligns best with your strengths and goals.

How to get into finance: the role of qualifications

A degree in finance is a great start—but to truly stand out, beginning a professional finance or accounting qualification before graduation can make a big difference.

Some of the top qualifications you can start early include:

• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): Highly respected in asset management and investment roles. Level I is accessible to students.
• ACA / ACCA / CIMA: Ideal if you're leaning toward accounting, audit, or corporate finance. Some university programs include accredited modules.
• CISI (Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment): Great for those interested in capital markets, compliance, or wealth management.

Even if you're not expected to be qualified before graduation, demonstrating awareness or progress toward these certifications can help differentiate you from other applicants.

Core skills employers want in finance graduates

Getting good grades isn’t enough. Employers want candidates who combine academic strength with technical skills, soft skills, and relevant experience.

1. Numerical and analytical ability

Finance is all about interpreting numbers and using data to make informed decisions.

• How to develop it: Take finance or stats courses, use Excel and Power BI, join investment clubs, and complete online modelling programs.

2. Commercial awareness

Understand how businesses operate, earn money, and are affected by economic trends. This awareness is essential when advising clients or making strategic decisions.

• How to develop it: Read the Financial Times, follow company news, listen to finance podcasts, and practice explaining the economic significance of current events.

3. Communication skills

Finance professionals must explain complex ideas to people who aren’t financially trained. Whether writing reports or presenting investment memos, clear communication is essential.

• How to develop it: Join debate teams or Toastmasters, take on leadership roles, present in class, and practice simplifying technical concepts.

4. Attention to detail

In finance, small errors can have big consequences. Employers value meticulous candidates who double-check their work and follow procedures.

• How to develop it: Practice proofreading, build financial models, take on admin roles (like treasurer), and use checklists to ensure accuracy.

5. Problem-solving

Finance professionals face tight deadlines and unexpected challenges. From tax advice to investment strategies, problem-solving is key.

• How to develop it: Tackle business case studies, reflect on past group projects, join simulations like stock market games, or lead a project with obstacles to overcome.

6. Teamwork

While finance can be competitive, collaboration is vital. You’ll often work in deal teams, with auditors, or co-manage portfolios.

• How to develop it: Join sports teams or project-based societies, reflect on group assignments, volunteer for team-based roles, and give/receive feedback.

What to do during university

University isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s your best opportunity to prepare for the world of work. Here’s how to use your time wisely:

• Join finance societies: These student-run clubs often host mock interviews, trading challenges, and networking events.
• Attend industry events: Go to career fairs, employer presentations, and virtual finance meetups to build contacts and explore roles.
• Get work experience: Internships are ideal, but even part-time roles in banking or accounts can be valuable. Apply for spring weeks or insight days in your first year - they often lead to future internships.
• Use your careers service: They can help refine your CV, practice interviews, and connect you with alumni.
• Consider a placement year: A year working in finance can give you deeper experience and often leads to a job offer.

Don’t overlook informational interviews - talking to professionals can clarify your career goals and help you avoid common pitfalls.

Academic goals: what you should aim for

A 2:1 degree (or equivalent) is typically the minimum requirement for most graduate roles. Employers also look at the modules you’ve chosen—especially in areas like economics, maths, finance, and statistics.

If you're in a non-finance degree, consider electives in finance or complete online certifications to demonstrate interest and capability.

Also, be ready to talk about your academic experience. Discuss your dissertation, group projects, or research tasks—especially those involving problem-solving and data analysis.

How hard is it to get into finance?

There’s no sugar-coating it—finance is tough to break into. Front-office roles often receive thousands of applications for a handful of positions, and the selection process is intense.

But it’s far from impossible. Many successful professionals started with little more than determination, planning, and perseverance.

If your first round of applications doesn’t succeed, don’t give up. Refine your approach, learn from the experience, and keep going. Alternative routes—like boutique firms, fintechs, or further study—can also lead to your ideal role.

A successful finance career doesn’t begin at graduation—it starts now. By learning about the industry, building essential skills, and making the most of university resources, you’ll set yourself apart in a competitive field.

Here’s a quick summary of what to do:

• Explore different finance career paths and find your fit.
• Start working toward professional qualifications.
• Build key skills—both technical and soft.
• Engage with university societies, events, and internships.
• Aim for strong academic performance, especially in relevant modules.

There’s no perfect path into finance—but the sooner you begin preparing, the stronger your chances of success. Whether you aim to become an investment banker, fintech innovator, or finance strategist, focused preparation and perseverance will set you apart.