A summer internship in finance is one of the most effective ways to launch a career with the UK’s leading banks and finance firms. With high levels of competition, major employers receive vast amounts of applications every year. Top summer internships not only offer hands-on experience and valuable networking opportunities but also can potentially open doors to potential and prestigious roles in banking, investment, and financial services. As applications for 2026 open, now is the perfect time to discover the top internships to apply for and learn how to be fully prepared.
Shir, Finance and Banking Tests Expert at JobTestPrep
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Timing is everything when it comes to applying to finance summer internships. Many of the top companies begin opening their applications as early as June or July of the year prior to the internship start date. Preparation is essential, as roles are competitive and can be filled quickly.
It’s also important to note that different banks and financial institutions have their own timelines. Staying organised and tracking deadlines will give you a crucial edge. We recommend using resources like the Finance Internship Tracker, which provides an up-to-date calendar of application opening and closing dates for all major UK banks and financial firms.
Give yourself plenty of time to prepare each part of your application and start gathering materials and practising for assessments as soon as you identify the internships that interest you.
There are many highly regarded finance summer internships in the UK, each with its own strengths, culture, and recruitment process. Below, we highlight some of the most popular and competitive summer internship programmes at some of the top UK banks.
Barclays is a leading name in UK and global banking, offering an internship that provides a real-world experience in investment banking, corporate banking, and technology. They have an array of summer internships, such as for the roles of Data and Analytics, Investment Banking, UK Corporate Banking, and many more. Assessment steps typically include an online assessment, HireVue interview, and an assessment centre.
HSBC’s Summer Internship Programme is designed to immerse you in the day-to-day business of one of the world’s largest banks. Interns are placed in various areas such as Asset Management, Investment Banking, and Technology - all where you can receive training, mentorship, and the chance to take on real responsibilities. The recruitment process typically involves an online assessment, HireVue interview, and an assessment centre.
J.P. Morgan’s Summer Internship Programme offers placements that last from 10 to 12 weeks and is offered to undergraduate students in their next-to-last year, as well as internships for Postgraduates and at PhD-level. The application process is highly competitive and it generally involves a HireVue interview and an assessment centre.
Morgan Stanley’s Summer Analyst Programme is an excellent route into a successful career in finance. The programme includes rotations across different teams and with the chance to benefit from networking opportunities, mentorship, and working on challenging assignments. Assessment steps typically include an online assessment, HireVue interview, Technical Interview, and an assessment centre.
UBS’ Summer Intern Program is an excellent chance to gain invaluable experience in global finance and at a leading company. The internship provides the opportunity to gain mentorship and skills development and is the perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a short timeframe. UBS assesses candidates generally through a process of online assessment, HireVue interview, and an assessment centre.
The Standard Chartered Summer Internship Programme is a tremendous chance to gain real-life experience at a leading bank. The internship provides invaluable experience and a great opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds and learn directly from senior leaders and experts.
The Deutsche Bank summer internship is an excellent opportunity to gain invaluable experience where you will receive formal, high-quality training, experience of real projects, and the chance to grow and develop your own professional network. Deutsche Bank offer their interns experience across several business divisions and infrastructure areas.
There are numerous other top firms offering finance internships including Citi, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of America. These top UK leading banks provide exceptional learning environments where interns can gain hands-on experience, develop critical industry skills, and make valuable connections. Interns will inevitably grow their network and potentially gain exposure to many areas of finance, including investment banking, wealth management, and risk management, allowing participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of the financial industry.
With thousands of applicants vying for limited internship places, preparing for online assessments and interviews is essential. Most finance internships require you to complete a range of challenging aptitude tests, such as numerical reasoning, logical reasoning, situational judgement, and personality tests. The better you perform in these early stages, the more likely you are to advance to the next stage of assessments.
Many leading banks develop their own assessments to evaluate candidates for internship roles whilst others use a range of test providers, such as Aon (Cut-e), SHL, and Korn Ferry (Talent-Q), and others. Our comprehensive Banking Summer Internship PrepPack covers both types, offering practice materials for the major test providers and for banks that use their own custom assessments - ensuring you're ready for a variety of assessment styles. Some banks use the same test providers, meaning you can prepare for multiple banks at once. Whether it's a widely-used assessment or a bank-specific one, our PrepPack equips you with the tools to succeed.
Completing a finance internship with an industry-leading company or organization can really help make a strong case for securing a full-time job or a place on their graduate scheme. While it’s by no means a guarantee, performing well during your internship can increase your chances of being considered for a permanent role. Many employers value the experience and familiarity interns bring to the table and showing you're a good fit during your time there can go a long way in making the transition to full-time employment smoother.
A finance summer internship at a leading UK bank is more than just work experience - it’s your launchpad into the industry. With the right preparation, you can stand out from the crowd and make the most of these competitive opportunities, secure yourself a summer internship, and launch your finance career.
Explore our comprehensive, up-to-date preparation pack tailored to equip you for success in numerous leading banks and investment firms!
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