Investment Banking

What is Investment Banking

Investment banking is a very popular specialisation in the field of finance. Several graduates and experienced professionals aspire to become an investment banker. Although there is no specific course for investment banking, MBA in finance is the most common pathway to have a career in investment banking. 

Investment banking is a very specific term in the field of finance which deals with subjects such as banking, debiting, crediting, loan, capital markets, and several other subjects. Investment banking has very limited positions under its radar and therefore it is very important for candidates to give their hundred percent while studying it. Some of the other professions similar to investment bankers are branch manager, credit manager, financial risk manager and others.  

Investment banking course highlights

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Investment Banking

Someone who is interested in pursuing a course or a degree in investment banking can do so by going for higher studies in related fields. After 10+2, the interested student can do various courses such as B.Com. or BA in Finance or Economics. In most cases the eligibility criteria is clearing 10+2 with maths as one of the main subjects. For PG courses, one can pursue M.Com or MA in Finance or Economics or Pursue an MBA degree where investment banking is one of the specializations. The eligibility for PG usually depends on the scores obtained in the qualifying examinations.

Eligibility for UG

If a student is interested in getting into the field of investment banking right after 10+2, then that individual should pursue a ug degree course such as B.Com or Bachelor of Economics. The admission is solely based on the marks obtained in 10+2.

Eligibility criteria for PG investment banking

Eligibility criteria is defined as the minimum parameters set by admission conducting authorities for students to be eligible for admission. Students who fulfill the eligibility criteria are allowed to take part in the admission process of a specific university or institute. The eligibility criteria include parameters such as academic result, minimum percentage, work experience, age limit, and entrance qualifications. Also, the eligibility criteria differs for every institution. However, some of the common eligibility criteria followed by all universities across India are as follows:

• Candidates must have completed their graduation with a minimum 45 percent aggregate from any specialisation. 

• Candidates must successfully clear the entrance examination required by the admission authorities. 

• Candidates must clear the GD-PI round in order to get admission to their desired branch and college. 

Top Entrance Exams for PG courses:

CAT (Common Admission Test):

CAT or Common Admission Test is one of the top entrance examinations of India. Candidates who qualify the exam are offered admission to top colleges in the country. After clearing CAT, students are required to clear the GD-PI process in order to get the admission. Students who successfully clear all rounds and make it to the merit list are offered admission to these colleges. 

XAT (Xavier Admission Test):

XLRI Jamshedpur is one of top private institutes of India. The college offers various specialisations in MBA. The institute conducts an yearly entrance examination for its affiliated institutes and offers admission to different specializations. The admission process is completed through a group discussion and a personal interview. 

SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test):

SNAP is another popular management entrance exam conducted by Symbiosis University for admission to its 16 affiliated colleges. The institute offers admission to various degree programmes including MBA in finance. Candidates who successfully clear the entrance exam and admission process (GD-PI) are offered admission to these colleges. 

IIFT (Indian Institute of Foriegn Trade):

IIFT Delhi is one of the top institutes that deals with foreign trading and has a specialisation in finance. The institute conducts an yearly entrance test IIFT and candidates who successfully clear the exam and GD-PI process are eligible for admission. Students can check the following details related to the exam:

Required Skillset for Investment Banking

In order to pursue a career in investment banking, candidates must possess a deep interest in the field of finance and business. Candidates in finance and investment banking must possess good communication skills - written and oral, numerical ability, interest in economies of different organisations, countries. The MBA admission process for finance and investment banking courses analyses the overall profile of a candidate which includes several factors such as communication skills, academic criteria, interpersonal skills, co-curricular activities, and ability to work under time pressure.