The Department of Finance is pleased to announce the Pathways to Banking and Finance programme which launched on Wednesday 15th November 2017.
Run in partnership with the Sutton Trust, the Pathways to Banking and Finance Programme is a two-year access programme for Year 12 students to provide students with information, advice and guidance in furthering their interests in studying finance or a career in the financial sector. Students attend a regular programme of activities and have the opportunity to be matched with an undergraduate student mentor. They are also invited to apply for a work experience placement at a financial service provider.
The launch event took place in the Sheikh Zayed Theatre in the New Academic Building at the LSE, with over 50 secondary students in attendance who had been selected for the highly competitive programme. Speakers included Rosie Hodgart (LSE Pathways to Finance Coordinator), Kirsty Wadsley (Head of Widening Participation at LSE), Osmana Raie (Department Manager for Finance), and Emma Williams, a current BSc Finance Year 2 student.
Emma shared her experiences of the BSc Finance programme emphasising the opportunities she has become involved in as a result, including her summer internship, and left the students with her closing thoughts on how to make the most of the Pathways to Banking and Finance Programme.
An interactive networking activity was run for the students after the presentations, while the parents and carers were taken to another talk informing them about the ways in which they could support their children as they prepare for university. The launch concluded with a networking reception and an opportunity for the students, parents and carers and LSE staff to meet one another.
We look forward to seeing the students again at their first session in January 2018.
Eligibility Criteria
Prospective applicants to the programme must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Having always attended a state-funded, non-fee-paying school or college
- Having achieved 5 A*–B grades at GCSE
- Attend a school or college with a low overall A-level points score and/or low progression to university
- Live in an area with low progression to university and/or an area with high levels of socio-economic deprivation
- Be eligible for free school for meals during secondary school
- Be the first generation in the family to attend university