Banker : Entry requirements

Bank graduate management programmes are open to all graduates, and banks seek applicants from a wide variety of degree subjects. A good honours degree, usually a 2:1 or above, is required to secure a place on a management or graduate training scheme and it is likely that graduate entrants are expected to have attained a minimum number of UCAS points.

Some banks offer other fast-track entry programmes which are open to people with good A-levels results, and this route may be applicable to graduates with less than a 2:1 or with an HND.

It is also possible to join a bank as an entry level customer adviser and build a career towards management.

Increasingly banks are looking to recruit people from their competitors, or even retailers from other industries.

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not usually required but Masters-level students may apply for graduate-entry training programmes. Pre-entry work experience is desirable. This may include vacation work, sandwich placements (paid or unpaid), internships and temporary or permanent work experience in a financial, customer-led environment, such as sales.

Candidates at every level will need to show evidence of:

• customer service focus;
• sales orientation;
• verbal and written communication skills;
• flexibility and the adaptability to respond to changes in both the short and long term.

Those moving into management will also need to demonstrate:

• leadership;
• management and coaching skills;
• commercial awareness and business acumen.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.