Apply in September, in the first two weeks each firm opens, because most Spring Weeks are rolling. Firms screen for evidence of interest, evidence of ability and a clean one-page CV, then cut most candidates at the online tests and HireVue stage. Your university is not a barrier if your application is strong and early.
In this guide
Spring Weeks are one-week insight programmes run by investment banks, asset managers and professional-services firms for first-year students (or second years on a four-year course). They matter because a strong Spring Week often converts directly into a summer internship offer, which in turn converts into a graduate offer. This guide explains how the process works and what to do in each stage.
When should you apply for a Spring Week?
Most Spring Week applications open between late August and October and many close on a rolling basis, which means firms review applications as they arrive and can fill places before the published deadline. Treat September as the real deadline for your priority firms. Build a tracker with each firm, its open date, its deadline and the stages involved.
- Apply to your top firms in the first two weeks they open.
- Rolling means early. Do not wait for the deadline.
- Keep a tracker so you never miss a follow-up test.
What do firms screen for in a Spring Week application?
At the application stage, firms are looking for evidence of interest, evidence of ability and evidence that you will get through the rest of the process. Evidence of interest means you can explain why this division and this firm, in your own words. Evidence of ability is your academics, plus anything that shows numeracy, communication or leadership. Evidence you will get through the process is a clean, well-structured application that answers the question asked.
- Every 'why this firm' answer should reference something specific to that firm.
- Quantify what you did in societies, part-time work or projects.
- Answer the question asked, in the word count, with a clear structure.
What does a Spring Week CV need to look like?
A finance CV is one page, in reverse chronological order, with education at the top for a first year. Use bullet points that start with an action verb and end with a result. Include grades where they help you, and remove anything that does not show a relevant skill. Formatting should be invisible: consistent fonts, aligned dates, no photos, no colours.
- One page. No exceptions for first years.
- Action verb, task, result. Every bullet.
- Proofread it twice, then have someone else read it once.
How do you get through the online tests and HireVue?
Most firms follow the application with online tests (numerical reasoning, situational judgement or game-based assessments) and a recorded video interview, usually on HireVue. These stages remove more candidates than any other. Practise tests under timed conditions before you need them, and prepare three or four stories that answer the common competency questions.
- Practise numerical tests weekly from September.
- Record yourself answering questions for 90 seconds and watch it back.
- Structure every answer: situation, action, result, reflection.
Can you get a Spring Week from any university?
Spring Weeks are more open than summer internships because firms use them to widen their pipeline. Your university is not a barrier at this stage if your application is strong and early. Where you may need to work harder is in networking: attend firm events, join your finance society, and message alumni or recent joiners on LinkedIn with a specific question rather than a request for a referral.
- Apply early to offset any perceived disadvantage.
- One thoughtful LinkedIn message beats twenty generic ones.
- Use every insight event as a chance to ask a real question.
Frequently asked
How many Spring Weeks should I apply to?
Enough to give yourself real options without lowering the quality of each application. For most students that is eight to fifteen, applied to in priority order as they open.
Can second years apply to Spring Weeks?
Yes if you are on a four-year course or a course with a placement year. Check each firm's eligibility criteria, which are usually listed on the programme page.
What if I have no finance experience?
That is expected at first year. Firms want to see interest, potential and initiative. Society roles, part-time work, personal projects and reading about markets all count.
