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Investment analyst

Alternative titles for this job include

Investment analysts help stock market traders, stockbrokers and fund managers make decisions about investments.

Average salary (a year)

£22,000 Starter

to

£65,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

36 to 38 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Investment analyst

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • a graduate training scheme

University

You'll usually need a degree at upper second class or higher. Most degree subjects are accepted, but you may find these particularly useful:

  • economics
  • maths
  • business studies
  • accountancy
  • finance

If your degree is not related to business or finance, you could do a relevant postgraduate qualification like a master's in business administration (MBA).

A course with a placement year or a summer internship with give you valuable experience and an advantage when applying for work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this job through a senior investment and commercial banking professional degree apprenticeship. This is at level 7, which is equivalent to a master's qualification.

This will usually take about 18-24 months to complete. You will take professional exams as part of the apprenticeship and at the end you will be able to apply for membership of the relevant professional body.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Other Routes

You could start as a graduate trainee in an investment bank or a stockbroking firm. Trainees must pass an exam that is recognised by the Financial Conduct Authority. These include:

More Information

Career tips

You may find it useful to have knowledge of a specific industry for some jobs, for example experience in areas like energy, engineering or life sciences could be helpful.

Language skills, particularly French, German or Japanese, can also be useful if you're working with overseas clients and markets.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join organisations like the CFA Institute and Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment for professional recognition and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming an investment analyst from:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • maths knowledge
  • knowledge of economics and accounting
  • analytical thinking skills
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • find new investment opportunities
  • research the financial performance of your target companies
  • keep up to date with political and economic developments that affect the financial markets
  • examine company accounts
  • analyse data
  • produce reports for fund managers and stockbrokers
  • ensure that all work meets strict financial regulations

Working environment

You could work in an office.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and a good track record, you could become a stockbroker and progress to account manager or fund manager. 

You could also become a freelance investment consultant. 

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an Investment analyst right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

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Jobs In the United Kingdom

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