Pathways to Banking and Finance: Years 12-13

The scheme runs annually. Students take part in activities from the December of Year 12 through to March in Year 13.

The Pathways to Banking and Finance programme will be delivered using a hybrid model in 2024/25. Therefore, this will consist of a variety of both online sessions and in-person events, throughout the course of the programme. This ensures that students benefit from being able to visit our campus and have opportunities to interact with LSE staff and students, whilst maintaining the accessibility that online events provide. Some of the activities will also be held off campus. For example, work experience opportunities and the residential National Conference at the University of Warwick.

If you are offered a place on this programme, you will be offered travel reimbursements for any in-person events. We will also survey you on your tech capabilities so we can work with you to ensure you are able to access the online content as well.

Finance taster sessions and university support

These are a combination of academic and university support activities. Delivered by LSE’s leading academics and professionals in the field, the sessions cover different areas of finance and related fields. Students also receive support from our professional services team, including workshops on CV writing from LSE Careers and Critical Thinking sessions from LSE Life. 

Residential conference

Pathways to Banking and Finance students from LSE, the University of Liverpool, the University of Leicester and the University of Warwick have the opportunity to come together to attend a summer residential conference at the University of Warwick. The conference provides students with an experience of university life, allowing them to meet other students and take part in in-depth finance related sessions.

If the conference is unable to happen in person at the University of Warwick, a virtual alternative will be provided. 

Work experience

Pathways students will be able to apply for an insight programme at one of London’s leading financial service providers during Year 12 or Year 13. Insight Programmes normally take place during school holidays, and last year students undertook them at Deutsche Bank, NatWest, Glenmont Partners and Canyon Capital Advisors.

If insight programmes are unable to happen in person, a virtual alternative will be provided. 

Mentoring

All students on Pathways to Banking and Finance are offered an undergraduate mentor studying a Finance related degree.

There is no cost to attend and travel reimbursements are available to cover the costs to and from sessions.

The LSE Pathways to Banking and Finance scheme is available to selected Year 12 students in London who are interested in following a career in the financial sector.

Please see our core eligibility critieria on the Sutton Trust website (external).

Applications for Pathways to Banking and Finance at LSE opened on Tuesday 3 September 2024 and closed at 11:59 pm on Monday 28 October 2024. 

For more information, visit the Sutton Trust website or email ard.pathways@lse.ac.uk. You can also register your interest for the 2025/6 programme.

All staff and students involved in the sessions receive appropriate training before the event. Staff or students working directly and regularly with young people receive specific training on working with children, in line with our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy. They also undergo an appropriate level Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Please note that as a result of circumstances or events outside of our control (known as a Force Majeure event), which includes but is not limited to industrial action, official government advice, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises, we may need to cancel an event at short notice.

In the event of a cancellation, a change of venue or date, we will endeavour to notify attendees wherever possible through the contact details given at the time of booking. For the avoidance of doubt, the School will not be liable for any costs you may incur as a result of any cancellation, change of venue or date.

Who can apply for the programme?

To apply for this programme, you must currently be in Year 12, attend a state school, and live within a one and a half hour commuting distance to LSE’s campus (WC2A 2AE). You must also be studying A Level Mathematics.

If you meet the eligibility criteria above, then you are eligible to apply. However, we may also look at the following criteria when we consider your application:

• Have achieved at least five GCSEs at grades 9-6, including English and Maths. A minimum of two of these qualifications should be at grades 9-7. Or five A or B grades at National 5 including one A.
• Would be in the first generation of your family to attend university.
• Have been in receipt of Free School Meals whilst at secondary school.
• Attend a school or college with a below-average A-level or Higher point score and/or a low rate of progression to higher education.
• Live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression to higher education and/or a high level of socio-economic deprivation.
• Have been looked after or in care.

We will look at every application and consider your eligibility, as well the personal statement you must write in the application form. For more information on eligibility, please visit the Sutton Trust website (external).

Can I apply to this programme after the deadline of 11:59 pm on Monday 28 October 2024?

No, unfortunately we are unable to accept any late applications to the Pathways to Banking and Finance programme, so please ensure that you complete and submit the application before the deadline if you want to be considered for a place on this programme.

Will I be guaranteed a place at LSE for my degree if I complete this programme?

No, if you are accepted onto the Pathways to Banking and Finance programme at LSE, and you complete the programme you are not guaranteed a place to study at LSE. However, you will be eligible for a contextual offer to study here: find out more about contextual admissions at LSE and search our undergraduate degrees to explore the contextual entry requirements across our degree courses.

Can I apply to this programme if I don’t live in London?

Yes, but your address must be within a one-and-a-half-hour commute of our campus, so you may be eligible to apply if you live on the outskirts of London. Please see below for LSE’s campus address:

London School of Economics and Political Science
Houghton Street
London
WC2A 2AE

Interested in this programme but live elsewhere in the country? Visit the Sutton Trust webpage, click ‘find my nearest course’ and enter your postcode to see if any of your local institutions are providers of the Pathways to Banking and Finance programme.

Can I take part in this programme if I am already a participant on another Sutton Trust programme?

You can only take part in one Sutton Trust programme. This includes the Sutton Trust US programme, another of the Pathways programmes or the Sutton Trust Summer Schools.

How long does the programme last?

The Pathways to Banking and Finance programme will launch in December 2024 and run until March/April 2026, supporting students throughout Year 12 and 13.

Can I apply for this programme if I attend an independent school?

To be eligible for this programme, you must currently attend, and have always attended, a non-fee paying, state-funded school.

How can I access online sessions if I don’t have a laptop or strong internet connection?

If you are successful in gaining a place on the programme and you do not have a laptop to access online content, LSE will be able to provide you with a laptop. Also, if you do not have strong or reliable Wi-Fi connection at home, we will be able to provide you with a dongle.