Springs, Summers and Placements
Spring Weeks, Summer Internships, and Industrial Placements are the main routes into careers in finance, each offering different levels of exposure and experience at various stages of university. Together, they form the core recruitment pipeline into graduate roles.
At the Bath Finance Society, we provide a wide range of resources to support students through the application processes for Spring Weeks, Summer Internships, and Industrial Placements. These include CV and cover letter guidance, example answers to common technical interview questions, how to choose a division and access to application trackers and discounts for psychometric test websites.
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To access these application resources please follow the link below to our Application Guidance page for access to our the BFS Teams channel.
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Beyond applications, we also focus on helping members strengthen their overall profile. Opportunities include joining the BFS committee, taking part in our Analyst Programme, and competing in our annual Investment Competition. We also run practical workshops on interview preparation, financial modelling, and report writing to ensure our members are equipped with both the technical and professional skills needed to succeed.
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Spring Weeks
What Are Spring Weeks?
Spring Weeks are short insight programmes run by investment banks, asset managers, and other financial institutions, typically aimed at first-year undergraduates (or second-years on a four-year course).
They usually take place over one to two weeks during the Easter vacation and provide students with an introduction to the firm, its divisions, and the broader financial industry. Through a mix of networking events, skills workshops, case studies, and shadowing opportunities, participants gain first-hand exposure to what a career in finance involves. For many firms, Spring Weeks act as a key part of the recruitment pipeline: strong performers are often fast-tracked to summer internship or assessment centre opportunities, making them highly competitive and valuable experiences for students considering a career in the sector.
What to Expect
During a Spring Week, students can expect a structured programme designed to give them a broad introduction to the firm and its culture. Typical activities include presentations on different business areas, technical and soft skills workshops, networking sessions with current analysts and senior professionals, and interactive case studies or group projects. Some programmes also include job shadowing or trading floor visits, allowing students to see the day-to-day reality of working in finance. Beyond exposure to the industry, it could be beneficial to think of Springs Weeks as an extended interview as students are assessed on their engagement, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, with strong performance often leading to fast-tracked opportunities for summer internships.
How to Apply
Securing a Spring Week requires early preparation, as applications typically open in August or September of your first year (or second year of a four-year course).
Firms look for strong academics, clear motivation for finance, and evidence of relevant skills such as teamwork, problem solving, and attention to detail. A well-structured CV and tailored cover letter are essential, supported by experiences from part-time jobs, societies, or competitions that demonstrate transferable skills. Many applicants strengthen their profile by staying commercially aware through reading the Financial Times or Economist, practising online tests, and networking with alumni or society events. Since Spring Weeks are highly competitive, applying early, targeting multiple firms, and carefully preparing for each stage of the process, from applications to interviews, greatly improves the chances of success.
Summer Internships
What are Summer Internships?
A summer internship is a structured programme, typically lasting six to ten weeks over the summer break, that allows students to gain practical experience within a financial institution.
Interns are placed in a specific division such as investment banking, asset management, sales and trading, or risk, where they contribute to live projects and client work under the guidance of professionals. Alongside day-to-day responsibilities, interns take part in training sessions, networking events, and performance reviews designed to develop technical skills and industry knowledge. These internships are the key traditional entry route into graduate roles: strong performance often leads to a return offer, making them highly competitive and an essential step for students pursuing careers in finance.
What to Expect
During a summer internship, students can expect to gain first-hand exposure to the realities of working in a financial institution while developing both technical and professional skills. Interns are usually placed within a team where they contribute to live projects, conduct research, prepare presentations, or support financial modelling and analysis. Alongside this, most programmes include formal training sessions, mentoring, and networking opportunities with employees at all levels, from recent graduates to senior professionals.
It is also worth noting that, given the competitive nature of these programmes, there can sometimes be an element of politics within the intern cohort as individuals compete for limited graduate offers. Throughout the internship, performance, teamwork, and adaptability are closely assessed, and strong results often lead to a return offer, making the experience both a learning opportunity and a critical step in the recruitment pipeline.
How to Apply
Applying for summer internships in finance requires early and thorough preparation, as these programmes are among the most competitive application processes in the world. Firms receive tens of thousands of applications each year for only a few hundred places, meaning success rates can be lower than 2–3% at top institutions.
Applications usually open in late summer or early autumn of the penultimate year of study, and most firms recruit on a rolling basis, so submitting early is essential. The process typically begins with an online application form and CV submission, often accompanied by a cover letter. This is followed by aptitude tests such as numerical reasoning, logical reasoning, or situational judgement assessments, before progressing to video interviews. Final stages often involve assessment centres, which can include technical and competency-based interviews, case studies, and group exercises. To stand out, applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, commercial awareness, and a clear motivation for finance, alongside strong preparation for both technical and behavioural interview questions.
Industrial Placements
What are Industrial Placements?
An industrial placement is a year-long work experience opportunity, usually completed during the third year of a four-year undergraduate degree.
Placements allow students to spend 9–12 months working full time at a company, applying their academic knowledge in a professional environment while developing technical skills, commercial awareness, and industry experience. In finance, placements are often offered across areas such as asset management, corporate finance, risk, and consulting, giving students the chance to contribute to real projects and build valuable networks. These roles are paid, form an accredited part of many degree programmes, and frequently lead to graduate job offers, making them a highly effective way to gain a competitive edge in the job market.
What to Expect
During an industrial placement, students can expect to take on responsibilities similar to those of full-time employees, gaining practical experience across the total period. Typical tasks might include conducting research, preparing reports and presentations, supporting client projects, or contributing to financial analysis, depending on the team and division. Many firms provide structured training, mentoring, and networking opportunities throughout the year, ensuring that students not only build technical skills but also develop professionally.
Unlike shorter summer internships, the extended duration of a placement allows students to settle into the workplace, develop deeper relationships with colleagues, and take on more meaningful long-term projects. This makes industrial placements particularly valuable for both personal growth and career prospects, often leading to graduate job opportunities upon completion.
How to Apply
Applying for an industrial placement requires organisation and early preparation, as applications typically open in the summer before second year and continue through the autumn term. The process is similar to that of summer internships, often beginning with an online application form and CV submission, followed by aptitude tests, video interviews, and in many cases an assessment centre.
However, it is important to note that not all companies or divisions offer industrial placements, as some firms focus solely on summer internships as their main recruitment pipeline. Students interested in placements should therefore research opportunities carefully, checking both company career sites and university placement portals to identify suitable roles. Tailoring each application to highlight relevant skills, motivation, and an interest in the specific business area is crucial to standing out in what remains a highly competitive process.
