Banking and finance
Graduates require a minimum 2.1 from a leading university. Although any subject is acceptable, some employers will prefer related degrees such as those in management, business, financial or numerate subjects. An MBA or specialist postgraduate qualifications can be advantageous, but they can be costly study choices.

Insight from Morgan Stanley

The Analyst Training at Morgan Stanley is designed to provide its graduates with the knowledge and toolkit they require to quickly become effective professionals. Through a structured programme, graduates learn how to use Morgan Stanley's data resources and analytical tools, as well as gain a thorough understanding of the firm's culture, its core values and key products.

Once on the job graduates work on a team under the direct guidance of senior professionals who are among the best in their fields. They will give as much responsibility as a graduate can handle, in an environment that affords exciting opportunities to work with a wide variety of clients in different industries, helping them to make strategic decisions involving capital raising, research or trading issues at the highest level. Training is not limited to the first weeks or months on the job but is ongoing throughout a graduates career at Morgan Stanley.

Morgan Stanley accepts applications from all degree disciplines. However some business areas require you to have a degree of a quantitative or analytical nature and you should in general have a keen interest in financial services and markets, a keen intellect, excellent communication skills, and high dedication to your professional responsibilities. And you should your stuff about Morgan Stanley.

Insurance
Although you will receive significant training on the job, a major component of training in insurance is the passing of a professional qualification. In the UK the main professional body awarding qualifications is the Chartered Insurance Institute. In order to obtain fellowship with the Institute, you need to provide evidence of continuing professional development, over a minimum of 3 years, as well as submitting a 3,500 word dissertation or project report.

There is also a range of more basic courses leading up to eventually taking Fellowship.

Actuarial
Actuarial trainees must pass professional exams at the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries (the two actuarial bodies award certification together).

This can take between three and six years. Usually around 15 hours per week studying is involved, while working at an actuarial employer – who will allow time off and other support, such as mentors and office-based tutorials. Students who studied in a related discipline at undergraduate level may be eligible for exemptions from some of the exams.

Exams are taken in areas such as statistical and stochastic modelling, financial and actuarial mathematics, financial reporting and survival models, as well as modules in applied business areas such as investment management, life assurance and pensions.