How (and where) to Find Work Experience in Finance

Do you picture yourself strolling along Wall Street, briefcase in one hand and hot Starbucks coffee in the other? Thanks to Hollywood movies, it’s the classic image of success in the finance world. In reality, there are more layers to a career in finance beyond power suits and fancy offices.

Maybe you dream of analysing market trends, figuring out how the stock market works or even running your own company one day. Whatever your interest in these fields, a finance work experience placement is the ultimate foot in the door.

What can you gain with finance work experience?

Forget dry lectures and complicated formulas (for now, at least!). An internship or work experience placement lets you see what finance is actually like. You’ll get to apply what you’ve learned in maths and business lessons to real-world situations, gaining a glimpse into the many branches of finance, like asset management, investment, banking, tax, accounting… the list goes on.

Let’s face it – when you’re applying for apprenticeships, college, uni or jobs, having relevant experience helps you stand out. Finance work experience proves to future employers that you’re not just talking the talk – you’re walking the walk by making the effort to gain practical skills and networking connections.

Finance work experience placements to apply for today

Santander

Banking giant Santander is frequently ranked amongst the top employers in the UK. You can dip your toe into banking work experience by participating in one of the virtual insight days throughout the year. Network with professionals at Santander and learn what skills the company is looking for in higher-level opportunities like apprenticeships.

Barclays LifeSkills

Big bank Barclays offers a Virtual Work Experience placement as part of the LifeSkills free educational programme. It also includes interactive activities where you can ‘explore’ the first day of work experience, build your CV and try a practice interview. Pretty cool, right? The LifeSkills resources are the perfect insight into banking work experience.

British Airways

British Airways is a surprising name on this list, but the Emerging Talent programme is one of the most in-demand in the UK. The three-day finance work experience placement is based at the HQ in Heathrow and usually happens in April each year.

Even better, you’ll be eligible for British Airways’ Inspire Student Ambassador Programme, which is an additional summer training course for students who’ll represent BA at school activities and events.

HSBC

Another household name… it’s HSBC. In 2024, the company welcomed over 600+ students internationally for the work experience and internship opportunities. The catch is that most HSBC opportunities are geared towards university students and graduates – add these to your ‘future goals’ mood board. One or two placements (like the UK Foundation Apprenticeship) are open to non-university students, but you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled. 

Fidelity International

Fidelity is a powerful company in the world of financial services. They have a really cool online opportunity called the Investment Management Virtual Experience Programme. It’s a free, five-hour interactive course consisting of six hypothetical tasks representing a day in the life of Fidelity employees.

The best part is that you’ll get a certificate of completion to add to your CV. Keep in mind that this course is aimed at university-level students interested in investment management. Therefore, the questions might be a bit over your head – but there’s no harm in having a go!

J.P. Morgan

Want a taste of life as an investment banker to kickstart your career in finance? J.P. Morgan’s Investment Banking Analyst Program is a nine-week opportunity that includes virtual training and classroom learning. You’ll study complex stuff like core investment banking skills and financial modeling.

There’s no age limit listed on their website for this finance work experience placement, but it’s worth contacting the support team if you’re aged under 16.

5 ways to prepare for finance work experience

Landing a finance internship is a fantastic achievement, but preparation is key to making the most of it. Here’s how to get ready:

1. Master the soft skills: Do you know how to present yourself professionally, such as writing emails and participating effectively in meetings? If not, it’s time to brush up on your soft skills, such as written and verbal communication, problem solving and organisation.
2. Nail the technical skills: Some placements might expect students to have specific technical skills. E.g., Using new software and understanding basic financial concepts.
3. Keep your finger on the pulse: Finance is a fast-paced industry. Follow financial news apps and podcasts (check out FT Edit and Yahoo Finance) to understand current events and market trends.
4. Consider your age: Most finance work experience placements are open for students in Year 12 and/or aged between 16-18. If you’re outside this bracket, don’t be disheartened – reach out to smaller, local companies if the nationwide opportunities have an age limit.
5. Research, research, research: Thoroughly research the company before submitting your work experience application, which shows initiative and enthusiasm. Don’t be afraid to go deeper, such as delving into the company’s mission and values rather than just surface-level information.

Apprenticeships vs work experience: What’s next?

Gaining finance and banking work experience, especially through internships, isn’t just about adding a line to your CV. You can build connections that will open doors to your future, whether you dream of Wall Street, Canary Wharf or something a little bit closer to home.

Think work experience isn’t quite what you’re looking for? Browse the UK’s top apprenticeships to see what’s hot in the finance industry.