Bank manager

You could study for a degree or postgraduate award before applying for a graduate management trainee scheme. Most degrees are acceptable, though you may have an advantage with a subject like:

• business management
• accounting
• economics
• finance
• law
• maths

It can help if you do a course which offers work experience opportunities, such as:

• taster days or work shadowing
• banking internship schemes
• a year in industry placement

Your university careers service can help you to find work experience opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could apply to join a bank as an apprentice and train on the job for a management position.

Apprenticeships include:

• Financial Services Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Senior Financial Services Customer Adviser Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Financial Services Professional Level 6 Apprenticeship
• Chartered Manager Level 6 Apprenticeship

If you want to work in commercial or investment banking you could do a Senior Investment and Commercial Banking Professional Level 7 Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

• 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|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start in banking in a customer service role and work your way up through training and promotion to assistant manager then manager.

You'll usually need a least 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English and maths. Some employers may ask for A levels or equivalent qualifications.

You can apply directly for jobs. You'll need qualifications and experience in financial services, sales, business development or customer service management.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Chartered Banking Institute for professional development opportunities, industry news and to expand your network of contacts.

Further Information

You can find more advice about careers in banking from the Walbrook Institute London and the Chartered Banker Institute .

As a bank manager, you could:

• oversee the day-to-day running of your branch
• put into practice, business, marketing and sales plans
• monitor sales targets and budgets, and produce figures and reports
• assess lending risk
• promote financial products and services
• motivate staff to meet targets
• make sure that staff follow financial regulations
• develop relationships with the local community and businesses
• deal with customer complaints

You could work in an office.

You may need to wear smart business clothes.