Investment analyst | Explore careers (2024)

You'll usually need a degree at upper second class or higher. Most degree subjects are accepted, but you may find these particularly useful:

• economics
• maths
• business studies
• accountancy
• finance

If your degree is not related to business or finance, you could do a relevant postgraduate qualification like a master's in business administration (MBA).

A course with a placement year or a summer internship with give you valuable experience and an advantage when applying for work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You can get into this job through a senior investment and commercial banking professional degree apprenticeship. This is at level 7, which is equivalent to a master's qualification.

This will usually take about 18-24 months to complete. You will take professional exams as part of the apprenticeship and at the end you will be able to apply for membership of the relevant professional body.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could start as a graduate trainee in an investment bank or a stockbroking firm. Trainees must pass an exam that is recognised by the Financial Conduct Authority. These include:

• Investment Management Certificate from the CFA Society UK
• Investment Advice Diploma through the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment

Career tips

You may find it useful to have knowledge of a specific industry for some jobs, for example experience in areas like energy, engineering or life sciences could be helpful.

Language skills, particularly French, German or Japanese, can also be useful if you're working with overseas clients and markets.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join organisations like the CFA Institute and Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment for professional recognition and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming an investment analyst from:

• Financial Conduct Authority
• CFA Institute
• Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment

You'll need:

• maths knowledge
• knowledge of economics and accounting
• analytical thinking skills
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• persistence and determination
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass background checks
• pass security checks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

• find new investment opportunities
• research the financial performance of your target companies
• keep up to date with political and economic developments that affect the financial markets
• examine company accounts
• analyse data
• produce reports for fund managers and stockbrokers
• ensure that all work meets strict financial regulations