Are you interested in studying business or economics? Want to find out more about a career in financial sector? Experience Pathways to Banking and make up your own mind.

The Pathways to Banking & Finance programme, includes a range of events throughout Year 12 and Year 13 to give you an insight in to both studying Business/Economics and exploring a range of careers within the financial sector.

The programme this year will include a blended approach, with a mixture of some online events and face to face events on campus when it is safe to do so. A typical programme includes:

• Opportunities to apply for work experience in the finance sector
• Opportunity to network with lots of finance professionals to better understand career opportunities in the sector
• Attend Economics and Business taster lectures to see what university study involves
• Tailored support with UCAS applications and personal statements
• Expert support with preparing your CV for work experience
• Experience the Pathways to Banking & Finance National Conference over the summer to give you a real taste of university life.

Participating Universities: University of Warwick, London School of Economics & University of Liverpool.

Students applying to the Pathways to Banking and Finance programme must meet the following criteria:

• Attend, and have always attended, a state funded, non-fee paying school/college

• Be in Year 12 at the start of the programme

• Live within a reasonable commuting distance of the University of Warwick

In addition, preference will be given to students: who meet one or more of the following:

• Have achieved in the region of 5 A*-B (9-6) grades at GCSE (with a minimum of 2 A* or A grades), including grades 9 – 6 in Mathematics and English

•Would be the first generation in their family to attend university

• Have been in receipt of Free School Meals whilst at secondary school

• Have attended schools with a lower than average progression to Higher Education, or a higher than average proportion of students who qualify for Free School Meal

• Live in a neighbourhood with a low rate of progression to higher education or a high level of socio-economic deprivation

• Have been looked after, in care or a young carer

The more criteria you meet, the more likely you are to be offered a place on the programme.

Year 12 Draft Programme

Autumn Term
• Programme Launch

Spring Term

• Sector Day to find out more about careers within the banking and finance sector
• Opportunities to apply for work experience placements
• Academic Taster Day

Summer Term
• Personal Statement Event
• Pathways to Banking Summer School

Year 13 Draft Programme

Autumn Term
• Programme Relaunch

Spring Term
• Graduation Event
• A Level Bootcamp

• "When I started Pathways to banking and finance at Warwick University, I didn’t know what to expect. I had an interest in finance since year 11 and knew that was the field of work I was hoping to do. This program really opened my eyes to finance; there’s such a great variety of people who work in finance and so many pathways into it. I’ve met professionals from Rothschilds, Barclays, KPMG, Deutsche Bank, PwC, The Brokerage and many more. You also get help with more current issues such as CV skills, presentation skills, personal branding and self-confidence. This is the best program I’ve ever signed up for academically and is definitely a good way to get ahead in Finance.”

• "I have gained a lot from the networking workshops as I’ve had the opportunity to practice developing these skills at a number of networking events with financial professionals. This has made the programme surpass my expectations; I wasn’t aware that there would be so many networking occasions and have gained so much invaluable advice from the professionals. Hearing about their journeys into banking and finance has been incredibly inspiring and has given me more confidence into pursuing a career in the sector regardless of my background. In a nutshell, the programme has helped me find a new way of learning and seeing how the knowledge can be applied in the workplace.”

• How many places are available on the Pathways to Banking and Finance programme?
100 places nationally, 35 places at University of Warwick.

• Can I apply for a place on the programme at any of the participating universities?
No, you can only apply to the university running the Pathways to Banking & Finance programme which is closest to your term-time residence. Although we are transitioning to a mixed delivery format with online sessions and face to face sessions, the majority of events will take place in person on campus. Therefore you need to live close enough to be able to travel to campus to attend sessions regularly.

•Will the Sutton Trust adjust their programme’s criteria based on the exam results this year?
Grades are part of our contextual criteria so students are more likely to gain a place if they meet them but we balance that with the social mobility markers for our programmes. We will continue with this approach next year, with particular focus on students from lower performing schools. Teachers will be able to provide a statement of support outlining any anomalies with the grades awarded so that we can also take this into context. We will be encouraging our university partners to be as generous as possible in their contextual admissions approach for our programmes.

•I am appealing my grades – what should I do?
Places on our programmes are not given on a first-come-first-served basis. This means there is no advantage to applying early.We therefore advise that you apply to the programme once you have your appeal results. If you do not receive these before the deadline for applications, please let us know that you have applied without your appealed results so that we can make a note of this on your application.

• How much does it cost?
The programme is free. Your travel expenses to and from Pathways events are paid (subject to you submitting receipts) and transport costs may be reimbursed.

• How many sessions do I have to attend?
The programme is made up of compulsory events which you must attend. There are also exclusive optional events that you are welcome to attend. You are required to attend the compulsory events across both years, which will be outlined at the start of the programme.

• Will I miss time from school?
Where possible, we will arrange events outside of school time (late afternoons/evenings), during school holidays and at weekends. While we are very conscious of students missing school time, it may not possible to run every events outside of term time, so it is very important that you share the details of the programme dates with your tutor/head of 6th form as soon as these are available. It is your responsibility to catch up on any work missed.

• I am studying at an independent school. Why can't I apply for Pathways to Banking and Finance?
The programme is designed to offer opportunities to students from under-represented backgrounds. There has been much research published regarding widening participation which has concluded that these students are mostly found in state schools.

• Can I apply for more than one WP programme
We will only offer a place on one programme to a student so please ensure that you apply to the programme that is most suitable to your needs and circumstances. Note that if you are successful in securing a place on the Pathways to Banking and Finance programme and have accepted it, you will automatically made ineligible for any other programmes the Outreach team offer. The only exception to this is for programme students who are planning to apply to Warwick for their undergraduate studies. These students may be eligible to apply for our Warwick Scholars access programme and if offered a place will be expected to complete their existing post-16 programme alongside participating in Warwick Scholars. Further details about Warwick Scholars can be found here Warwick Scholars

•If I complete the Pathways to Banking & Finance programme will I receive reduced offers to attend university?
At Warwick, students who complete Pathways to Banking & Finance at any university are eligible for a reduced offer and join Warwick Scholars as an undergraduate when they enrol at the university after completing the Pathways programme. More information about the Warwick Scholars undergraduate programme can be found here Warwick Scholars Undergraduate Programme

• When will I hear whether I have been accepted on to the Pathways to Banking and Finance scheme?
We hope to have an outcome by the start of November - as soon as we have reviewed applications we will let you know the outcome..