Updated October 2026
TL;DR
The article covers a mix of investment-banking work experience, broader finance insight events, paid placements, and virtual programs for high school students in the UK and U.S. Across the opportunities, students may attend workshops, network with professionals, work on group projects or capstones, shadow staff, and practice presentations or problem-solving. Some options focus directly on investment banking, while others introduce the wider financial-services sector. Ladder Internships offers a remote startup experience, including finance as one of its available fields.
Investment banking is the part of finance that helps companies raise money, go public, and handle mergers and acquisitions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers often prefer candidates with internship experience, so starting early can give you a real edge. As a high schooler, an internship lets you see how deals come together, pick up the basics of financial analysis, and decide whether this fast-paced field is right for you.
If you want to explore more of the finance world, check out these free finance internships for high school students! Banking is another great place to start, so check out these bank internships too. And if you're drawn to the business side of things, these business and finance internships are well worth a look!
Why should you do an investment banking internship?
An investment banking internship can turn classroom interest in finance into a clearer picture of how analysis, transactions, and client-facing work fit together. Professional settings can also help you practice communicating ideas, meeting deadlines, and understanding how financial decisions are discussed. If you want a structured remote option, Ladder Internships connects students with startup projects in fields including finance.
What skills can you pick up in investment banking internships?
Investment banking internships can build analytical thinking, commercial awareness, teamwork, and clear written and verbal communication. Working with financial information also builds attention to detail and the ability to explain assumptions, not just produce an answer. These skills matter because finance work often requires combining quantitative reasoning with concise presentations and collaborative decision-making.
How do you choose the right option?
Finding the right fit takes a little research before you apply. Keep your grade, location, schedule, and budget in mind, and always read the fine print—GPA, coursework, and residency requirements can vary wildly!
Here’s a great blog post to help you figure out which internship is right for you.
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost / Stipend |
Best For |
|
Virtual Programs |
Cost |
Students seeking remote finance exposure, mentorship, projects, and collaborative learning |
|
|
Multi-week Work Experience |
IntoUniversity, with host firms – Big City Bright Future Rothschild & Co (Global Advisory) – UK Pioneer Summer Work Experience Programme in Birmingham |
Cost |
Students who want longer workplace exposure, professional interaction, and project or placement experience |
|
Advisory and Finance Immersion |
Rothschild & Co (Global Advisory) – UK Horizon Women's Work Experience Programme Morgan Stanley Step In, Step Up: Foundations in Finance Houlihan Lokey – School Programme 2026 |
Cost |
Students interested in advisory work, M&A, restructuring, capital markets, and structured finance learning |
|
Insight and Mixed-Format Programs |
Goldman Sachs – Future Possibilities Insight Event JPMorganChase – UK Work Experience Program Peel Hunt – Finance Work Experience Day |
Cost |
Students seeking shorter career exploration, office exposure, networking, skills sessions, or blended virtual and in-person learning |
1. IntoUniversity, with host firms – Big City Bright Future
Location: London, England; Edinburgh, Scotland (placements for Scottish applicants)
Stipend: £1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20% acceptance; up to 120 students
Dates: June 29 – July 17
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Year 13/S6 students, students in their final year of college/sixth form, or gap-year students who are part of the IntoUniversity programme; students new to IntoUniversity must attend at least one Application or CV prep session before applying; proof of UK right to work required for firm onboarding
You start with a one-week bootcamp in London on presentation skills, teamwork, and commercial awareness, then spend two weeks at an allocated partner firm, working with a team on an assigned project and interacting with senior management. Partner firms include investment banks and advisory firms such as Evercore, Royal Bank of Canada, TD Securities, CIBC, and Singer Capital Markets, as well as asset management, law, technology, and consultancy firms. The experience can help you develop commercial awareness, workplace skills, and professional networks.
Who is it best for: Students who want paid, hands-on exposure to how financial firms operate before university, and who are open to a placement in a related area such as asset management or consultancy.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies according to the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25% acceptance; 70–100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships offers tracks across various subjects, including finance, investment banking, and business for high school students, providing hands-on experience in financial modeling, market research, and pitch presentations under the mentorship of industry professionals. This program pairs you with a company manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. It is ideal for students aspiring to enter the finance world, offering valuable exposure to investment banking through both in-person and virtual opportunities.
Who is it best for: High school students who want hands-on experience working on real-world projects with startup teams while building practical skills and exploring potential career interests.
3. Rothschild & Co (Global Advisory) – UK Pioneer Summer Work Experience Programme in Birmingham
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands; one programme day in London
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: 5 days in August
Application Deadline: July 15
Eligibility: UK school Year 13 students expected to be on track for at least 136 UCAS points or equivalent
The five-day work-experience programme introduces you to Rothschild & Co’s Birmingham Global Advisory businesses, including M&A, Debt and Restructuring, and Global Markets Solutions, and also includes a day at its London head office. You can meet Birmingham-based bankers and gain a clearer view of financial advisory work; the published description does not specify deal assignments or investment-banking modeling tasks.
Who is it best for: Students who want to explore investment banking and financial advisory by learning about advisory businesses and speaking with bankers.
4. Rothschild & Co (Global Advisory) – UK Horizon Women's Work Experience Programme
Location: London, United Kingdom
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: 3-day programme starting August 10
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Female students in Year 13; on track for a minimum of 136 UCAS points or equivalent; living within commutable distance of London for the programme
Over three days in London, you are introduced to Rothschild & Co's Global Advisory division, including its M&A, Debt and Restructuring, and Global Markets Solutions businesses, through analyst presentations, skills sessions, and networking with junior bankers across the firm's divisions. You work in a group with other students to prepare a project and present it at the end of the programme. These activities give you an early view of advisory work in investment banking, and interested participants are offered a ‘stay-in-touch’ programme afterward.
Who is it best for: It is best suited for eligible students who want an early look at M&A and financial advisory work and are curious about how investment banking teams operate day-to-day.
5. Morgan Stanley – Finance Academy
Location: Virtual, United States
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: November – March
Application Deadline: October 2
Eligibility: U.S. high school seniors graduating next year; 3.4+ GPA
You take part in interactive finance sessions, learn from Morgan Stanley professionals, receive mentorship, and collaborate with other students on a capstone project, with exposure to investment banking and capital-markets work such as corporate debt issuance. The five-month virtual academy culminates in a collaborative finance capstone based on a real-world client scenario, giving you experience with transaction analysis, strategic decision-making, teamwork, and presenting a financial pitch.
Who is it best for: Students who want to explore investment banking and capital markets through practitioner-led learning, mentorship, transaction-style analysis, and team-based pitching.
6. Morgan Stanley Step In, Step Up: Foundations in Finance
Location: London, England
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: August 24–26
Application Deadline: Rolling review until June 22
Eligibility: Year 13; UK university undergraduate offer for autumn; always attended a state-funded, non-fee-paying school or college; at least one specified socioeconomic-disadvantage indicator
Through three days of workshops, you explore investment banking alongside global capital markets, trading, research and technology. You can question Morgan Stanley employees in mentoring, networking and panel sessions, and take part in technical and professional skills training to help you assess a career in finance.
Who is it best for: Students who want to explore investment banking and related finance careers through workshops and conversations with professionals.
7. Goldman Sachs – Future Possibilities Insight Event
Location: London, United Kingdom
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; Cohort size not stated
Dates: March 27
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: Year 12 or Year 13 A-Level or International Baccalaureate students
You spend a day in person with Goldman Sachs in London, learning about the firm and the wider financial services sector through experiential learning, career-readiness activities, and networking opportunities. This invite-only event is designed specifically for Year 12 and Year 13 A-Level and IB students and introduces Goldman Sachs' long-standing apprenticeship culture. Exposure to the range of career pathways in financial services can help you see where areas such as investment banking fit, while building your confidence and understanding of your own strengths.
Who is it best for: Students curious about finance careers, including investment banking, who want an introductory, in-person look at a major bank and are weighing apprenticeship or other early-career routes into the industry.
8. JPMorganChase – UK Work Experience Program
Location: London, England; Bournemouth, England; Glasgow, Scotland; Edinburgh, Scotland
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; over 250 students annually across four locations
Dates: Edinburgh: July 13 and July 21–22; February 15; Glasgow: July 20 and July 28–29; February 17; London summer: August 4 and August 11–12; February 18; Bournemouth: October 6 and October 13–14; March 31; London autumn: October 12 and October 20–21; April 1
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: Ages 14–16; Year 10–11 in England or S3–S4 in Scotland; live within 90 minutes of the host office
You’ll tour a JPMorganChase office, join panel Q&As and skills sessions, complete an Enterprise Challenge, network with staff, and take part in employability workshops. The programme combines a virtual preparation session, two in-person office days, and a later follow-up session. These activities can help you develop communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professional networking skills while exploring careers in financial services.
Who is it best for: Students who want early exposure to finance careers, including investment banking as a possible longer-term path, through workplace activities, team challenges, and networking.
If you live outside the UK or just don’t want to commute every day, consider Ladder Internships that pair you with startups to work on real projects in a fully virtual format.
9. Houlihan Lokey – School Programme 2026
Location: London, England
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not stated
Dates: February 18–19
Application Deadline: January 4
Eligibility: Year 13; GCSE Maths and English grades 5–9 or equivalent; three A-levels at AAB or equivalent, including A in Maths
The School Programme is a two-day investment-banking work-experience programme focused on Corporate Finance and Financial Restructuring. You hear from bankers and senior leaders, shadow junior bankers, attend technical and soft-skills workshops, complete interactive problem-solving tasks, and network with bankers.
Who is it best for: Students who want to explore investment banking before university, particularly corporate finance and restructuring.
10. Peel Hunt – Finance Work Experience Day
Location: London, United Kingdom
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 50 students
Dates: January 29
Application Deadline: Open until full
Eligibility: Year 12 or Year 13 students
During this half-day event at Peel Hunt's London office, you are introduced to the firm and the investment banking industry, hear from speakers in a Q&A, complete a group task, and tour the office. The planned agenda includes speed networking with Peel Hunt employees at a UK investment bank that specializes in supporting mid-cap and growth companies. The day can help you build commercial awareness, teamwork, and professional networking skills as you explore investment banking careers.
Who is it best for: Students who want a short, in-person introduction to investment banking and are keen to meet finance professionals and ask questions about careers in the industry.
Can an investment banking internship help with your college applications?
An investment banking internship can give you concrete material for college applications by exposing you to financial modeling, market research, transaction-style analysis, advisory work, and finance presentations. In addition, students may work on group projects, shadow bankers, or explore M&A, restructuring, and capital markets. Reflecting on those experiences can show informed interest, applied learning, and growing responsibility.
How do you apply for an investment banking internship?
A practical approach is to start with each program’s official eligibility, dates, location, and application page, then prepare the materials that particular process asks for. Depending on the opportunity, that may mean a CV, short written responses, interviews, or assessment activities. Requirements vary, so treat these as common preparation steps rather than universal rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need prior finance or advanced math coursework for these investment banking opportunities?
Not for most of the opportunities on this list. Several entries are open based mainly on year or grade and other eligibility criteria. At the same time, one school program specifically requires an A in Maths at A-level and strong GCSE Maths and English grades.
2. Will I actually do investment-banking work, or mostly attend workshops and talks?
It depends on the format. Some longer or project-based options include financial modeling, market research, transaction analysis, pitches, assigned projects, or shadowing, while shorter insight programs lean more on workshops, Q&As, networking, and office exposure.
3. Are any of these investment banking opportunities paid, or do students usually participate for free?
Most opportunities in the article are listed as free and unpaid, but there are exceptions. One multi-week placement offers a £1,500 stipend, while the remote startup option has variable program costs rather than a stipend. For students considering the remote format, Ladder Internships provides financial aid.
4. How much time do these programs require?
Commitments range from a half-day or single-day event to multi-day programs, a three-week placement, an 8-12 week internship, and a five-month virtual academy. Some are brief introductions, while others involve sustained weekly participation, projects, or capstone work over several weeks or months.