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Spring weeks: don't miss the easiest route in
A spring week is the lowest-bar, highest-return programme in finance. Here's how to use first and penultimate year well.
If you're in your first or second year and serious about finance, the spring week is the most valuable thing on your calendar — and the most overlooked.
Why they matter so much
Spring weeks are insight programmes, usually 1–2 weeks over Easter, aimed at penultimate-year students (and at some banks, first-years on a three-year degree). The bar is lower than a summer internship because banks are casting a wide net early.
But the payoff is enormous: a strong spring week often fast-tracks you to a summer internship interview, sometimes skipping the online application entirely. That internship then converts to a graduate offer. Get the spring week right and you've effectively shortcut the whole funnel.
How to stand out
- Apply in October. This cannot be repeated enough. The deadline is far earlier than feels intuitive.
- Lead with curiosity, not jargon. You're not expected to know how to build a DCF yet. You *are* expected to be genuinely interested and easy to talk to.
- Network on the day. Get names, ask good questions, and send a short thank-you note. Conversion decisions are made by the people you meet.
If you've missed the window
Don't panic. Build your story instead: join the finance or investment society, follow a few companies closely, and learn the basics of valuation. A focused second-year applicant with a real interest beats a polished one with nothing behind it.