Customer services

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You could take a degree before applying for a management trainee scheme. Most degrees are acceptable, though you may gain relevant skills from subjects like:

• management
• accounting
• economics
• finance
• law
• marketing
• maths

You could get work experience during your degree through:taster days or work shadowing opportunities; banking vacation schemes; spring or summer internships; a year in industry placement

Work experience will give you a head start when applying for trainee manager jobs when you graduate.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

For 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/

College

You could do a course at college that may give you some of the skills and knowledge to apply for trainee bank manager positions.

For example you could do a T Level in Finance.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could join a bank as an apprentice and work your way up to management positions.

Relevant apprenticeships include the:

• financial services administrator advanced apprenticeship
• senior financial services customer adviser advanced apprenticeship
• financial services professional higher apprenticeship
• chartered manager degree apprenticeship

If you want to work in commercial or investment banking you could do a Level 7 senior investment and commercial banking professional, higher 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 higher or degree apprenticeship

For 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

Work

You could apply to join a bank in a customer service job and work your way up.

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

You could take further training on the job while you study for management qualifications.

More information

Further information

You can find more advice about training and working in banking from the:London Institute of Banking and Finance; Chartered Banker Institute

View all vacancies in this region

You could work towards chartered banker status with the Chartered Banker Institute. This could help broaden your career options at senior management level.

With experience, you could take on responsibility for several branches in a local area. You could move into head office operations, or work with the bank's overseas division.

You could also work in corporate or investment banking.