Qualifications Needed for a Career in Banking

Originally written by Garry Crystal, updated by the editorial team on 1st April 2026

Although there are specific degrees for banking and finance there are no specific qualifications needed for entry level banking jobs. A career in banking can begin with high school certificates; usually A level certificates are sufficient. Graduates can apply for trainee management programmes, which are an excellent first step into a banking career.

Why Choose a Banking Career?

A career in banking offers good prospects for those with an aptitude for finances. Management positions are well paid and the work can include travel and many company benefits. A banking career is no longer just about sitting behind a window dealing with customers; banks now offer a whole range of different products and services. If you have never thought about a career in banking and are considering some form of finance based study then taking careers advice would be beneficial.

Qualifications for a Banking Career

A banking career can be started with a minimum of qualifications. Good passes in A level certificates are all that is needed for entry level jobs. Once you have your foot in the door you can progress to up the banking career ladder rapidly if employers see you have the skills and ability for a financial career. Employees that are seen to have management potential will usually be given in-service training. Talented entry level banking employees can also be placed on accelerated management training courses.

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Graduate Careers in Banking

Banks will employ graduates with degrees in a variety of different subjects. However, graduates that have degrees in accountancy, banking and financial services, economics, or law degrees may find they have a particular aptitude for a career in banking. Graduates who apply for trainee management positions and are successful will be placed directly into the management training scheme. These are rapid training schemes are designed to have graduates management trained in a short time.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Management Degree Courses

There are a wide range of financial degree courses available to those that are considering a career in banking such as Banking and Finance degrees and Business Management. Those wishing to apply for these degree courses will usually need three A level certificates. Two standard grades are also usually needed and these will usually be in Maths and English. These entry qualifications are never set in stone and talking to a university or college advisor will be helpful. Older people may not be required to have these educational certificates if they have a number of years of relevant work experience.

Degree courses will usually last between three and eight years depending on the course and graduation level. There are other options available when studying including home based degree courses such as The Open University. Part time study will usually take longer to complete but this is down to the student and their existing commitments. Students can gain financial qualifications through night classes and these are a good way to study while continuing to work during the day.

Qualifications for Career Development

Any career planning should include training and development factors. There are a range of educational qualifications that will help with career progression. There are a number of vocational qualifications available such as the Certificate in Financial Services and the Diploma of Financial Services. Any banking career planning should include researching material from official bodies such as The London Foundation for Banking & Finance. If you already have an entry level position within a bank then gaining these financial certificates will help with developing your career.

There are a great many different banking jobs available including sales jobs and Internet banking. Career progression will not just be dependant on educational and vocational certificates but they will be recognised as a sign of career commitment by employers.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Finance Career Path Finder lets you discover which finance career could suit you, from accountancy and investment banking to fintech and financial planning, matched to your strengths and what you enjoy. Try it now →

68 questions

Ask A Finance Career a Question

lizzy 09/09/2020 at 12:27 pm

I am an economics education graduate(degree),can I work in a bank.

sahil 10/11/2019 at 6:45 pm

idhar bolne se kuch ni hoga bhai aur behno , paisa fenko 2 lakh , Himachal pradesh mai kahi bhi lga dengy bank job Certified hai ! i am doing my job now in state bank of india , meri salery hai 46 thousand ! and mane sirf sifarish se paper clear krwaya tha ! but graduation ki hai certified HPU shimla se , wo bhi shifarish se ?? , bhai kuch ni hota ajkl mehnat se ! paisa fenko ! thankyou sahil !

Thamizh 18/10/2019 at 2:09 pm

Hello sir/ mam,
I have got diploma in computer engineering and work exprienced in loan processing in finance field when I was working for insurance in finance. So can I get job in finance field? Please guide me for my career.

priyanka 23/09/2019 at 10:24 pm

Hello.. i have done MBA in Finance from India and having working experience of 9 years in banking sector in India. i would like to know what are opportunities available for working in banking sector in UK.

Thanks
Priyanka

Rk 07/09/2019 at 9:21 am

Hello I sir I want doing job in banking line .but I am doing b.a graduate . Please tell me that which I do in study then I get the job

Phil 08/05/2019 at 5:38 pm

I am employed in an industry where I am described as a banker by industry executives. Since the definition of a banker is explicitly defined as an "officer," I do not feel that I fit the definition of a banker. I am an entry level college educated clerk with no officer level experience anywhere and at anytime with any employer. With that said, I am expected to tell everyone that I am a banker; and the alumni association at my college typically brags about graduates with executive level positions and titles. How does a person with lower level workplace experience deal with higher expectations by others? For the record, I was hired by my employer at a time when I expected to pursue a career in academia as opposed to banking.

Benon arts 27/03/2019 at 6:34 am

Actually am a senior six graduate and i have my certificate in a level i did subjects like math where i got a credit .Economics and Entrepreneurship .so .can i apply for a job in the bank. Like can i be a teller. Oh which jobs are available for my level of education so far i have gotten thank you but in Uganda no where else

TC 27/11/2018 at 3:51 pm

Hi
I have got post graduate degree in finance & banking but it’s from India. Also I’ve worked in a bank in lending assets for 2 years in India. I would like to pursue my career in banking in UK but I don’t know what certification or qualification required for me to be in a retail banking. Can you please help me.

Thanks
TC

Nurhan shawky 04/11/2018 at 10:01 am

Does a telesales job helps me to be qualified to work in the banking sector ???
I'm a law graduated in 2018

Swati 07/10/2018 at 7:34 am

Hi there .. I’m married since 7 years and I need to persue banking as a carrier. How can i continue.. What should I start firstly.?

Meissie 19/09/2018 at 1:46 am

Looking for job I want to be a bank Teller

Surru 10/09/2018 at 7:18 am

I m pursuing 2nd year b.sc.. Can I get job in banks?

Surru 10/09/2018 at 7:16 am

I m student of b. SC 2nd year... What post is available for in banks?

Nothing 16/06/2018 at 3:16 pm

Hi. Iam naseema iam 16 yrs old I want to be a bank manager so I want career guidance could you please give me career guidance about banking system... Thank you

rajesh 14/05/2018 at 8:16 am

hlo! I am doing my third year in B.Sc Maths. Please would you say which is the opt Post Graduate degree for me to join in Banking sector?

bonga 29/01/2018 at 11:26 am

Hi im a certificate of high school i likt to work as a bank telle need an advice of which subject i have to study at the college.

Opu 27/12/2017 at 11:59 pm

Hi i'm Topupa , i'm a boy 14 years old 2 years later I am going to be 16 year old and in 16 years old I want to do bank job but purt time. Than when i'm going to finish my university i'm going to do full time.
I just want to know what subject I have to study, and how much a student have income a week and how can I apply for a bank job?

Writed by Topupa.

Please give the answer on my mail.

GLM 20/11/2017 at 9:46 am

Hi, I want to join banking industry. I am a graduate in Business Administration- Management and Finance and I would like to work at the Bank. What would you advise me to consider doing in order to get my feet in the banking? I look forward for your positive response.

Regards,

GLM

Puppy 23/10/2017 at 1:46 pm

What all certificate we need to do banking

Mia Editor 12/10/2017 at 1:54 pm

@Sonia - I think the best thing to do is to apply for job. Or get into a bank via the customer service route and then apply for jobs internally. If you can prove you're good with figures, then you shouldn't have a problem.

Sonia 10/10/2017 at 12:33 pm

Hi there I am wanted to get a job in a bank as a cashier and then process further I have never worked in a bank before but have loads of customer service experience as Iv worked in retail all I wanted to know was how do I go about it

fe 08/10/2017 at 7:07 am

is there a height requirement in pursuing a banking career here in the Philippines?

Chris 17/08/2017 at 9:23 am

Hi all, I'm Chris. I graduated with a degree in Economics with Banking in 2009 but due to the economic downturn at the time, I did not find work, but instead, I set up a retail company which I'm still running now. My problem is that I would like to practice in my field of study and use my qualification. My main obstacles are that I do not have work experience in the field of banking and finance and also my age (early 40's). Any advice as to how to proceed please.? Thanks very much.

ashh 14/07/2017 at 11:27 am

Hii!! Currently I am doing b.sc..this will be my last year of b.sc...would you please suggest me that is their any need to have maths as one of my two subjects to work in banks at good positions??

Kiya 09/07/2017 at 10:53 pm

Hi,I've just recently completed my certificate in Banking and finance which job can suit me well,Thank you.

AFinanceCareer Editor 30/06/2017 at 2:47 pm

As there are various jobs within the banking industry, you can search for your preferred role whichThis will tell you what qualifications you will need for your chosen profession.

Monika 29/06/2017 at 9:17 pm

Hi I need to know which degree or qualification needed for UK bank job..I just finished my O and A level..

s 21/06/2017 at 5:57 pm

i have studied B.Sc with computer,maths and statistics as main subject. can i be eligible to work in bank or which course to be studied to work in bank.
Which are the exams to be written to get job in bank?

Micaela 07/06/2017 at 12:11 pm

Hi I would like to study to work in a bank in the UK. I didn't do any ALevel so I would have to go to a college since I'm 23 and then to uni.
Any advise on what to study? Thanks!

Sam 08/05/2017 at 10:03 pm

Hi , I m postgraduate in English literature from India. I have no job experience in any field. I want to do a bank job. Kindly suggest me am I qualified to do any bank job or do I need to join any courses to get a job in bank . How many types of posts available in bank ? Kindly guide me . Thanks n regards . Sam

Mamta 04/05/2017 at 10:45 am

Hi..I m Mamta..I m post graduate in master of commerce from India...having 8 years of experience in teaching....but now I m seeking opportunity for a banking job in England..I wanted to know..is there any opportunity for me to do banking job in Uk?if yes,then what certification do I need???...or I am eligible for applying for the job position??.. thanks & regards.. Mamta

AFinanceCareer Editor 21/04/2017 at 10:12 am

If, as you say, you are fluent in English, then potential employers will be able to ascertain whether you have the correct English-speaking requirements at interview level and therefore it shouldn't pose any problem. Initially, it is your skills for the job that your employer will be more interested in. Good luck in your applications.

Andy 20/04/2017 at 11:49 am

Hi. I hope you can help. I'm a data analyst in Warsaw, working for a major Polish bank. I have a masters degree in mathematics and a post-graduate diploma in business management.
I'd like to work in London but I'm a little concerned about the English requirements for posts in British banks. My English is pretty fluent (c1 level) but I don't yet have a qualification in English which proves this. I'm wondering which qualification would be needed to give me the best chance of securing a data analysis job at a major UK bank?
Thanks in advance
Andy

AFinanceCareer Editor 03/04/2017 at 11:51 am

As we are a UK-based site, we only have advice on UK-based qualifications needed. Eligibility may be very different in your country, so you will have to try and find this out locally to where you live.

John 02/04/2017 at 9:05 am

Hi am Agyemang now entering to university in Ghana and i want to work in a bank so i need an advice toward the right course to be taken so that i can achieve my career.Thank u

Munni 23/03/2017 at 7:46 am

Hi there,
I have a degree bechulor in commerce.i am living in canada.i want to work in bank, so what kind of certificate course need here for bank job.

Sam 14/03/2017 at 11:37 pm

Hi , I m 35 years old housewife, postgraduate in English literature from India ( 2003). I live in Staffordshire , uk. It's a first time I m applying for a job in uk . I have no experience but I prefer bank job as per my qualification. No issue for salary , can do volunteer also. Kindly reply if there any vacancy for me. Thanks

lubha 18/02/2017 at 10:53 am

which course to study If i want to work at the bank

pertoh 30/01/2017 at 6:34 am

hae am pertoh I need to work in bank as a future work which course do I have to study please advice

Thabz 21/01/2017 at 6:08 am

hi i want to work at bank so i want to know which study must i take

None 17/01/2017 at 9:31 pm

Hello !I am paramjeet kaur .I had graduation from india .now living in England. I want to do banking course in England so my question is - can I do???
And second is - which diploma and course put my step in banking ???
Thanks
Regards with
Paramjeet kaur

Mary 13/12/2016 at 11:54 pm

I will wish to know what subjects must i do in advanced level to do banking in the university and if Maths and Geography are obligée to be pass in Advanced level to do banking in the university?

sam 27/09/2016 at 8:10 pm

Hi there,
I am bachelor degree of commerce - Accounting but I have never been working as per my study. however I am here living in Vancouver BC ,Canada. and I wish I could work in banking field but I know that will be required a banking experience.

My Question here : what do I need to get a specific degree for banking and finance ? or which course or diploma can help me to put my step in bank or support my study to work in bank ?

allano 09/09/2016 at 4:46 am

hi.am pursuing bachelor of arts in economics and sociology and want to pursue it further. to be bank manager..can it work

Mamata 07/09/2016 at 9:06 pm

I want to apply for the banks!!! I am undergraduate in bachelor in business administration!!!

star 03/09/2016 at 10:30 pm

Hi, i m fresh candidate of bachlor degree....i want to apply for bank job...how i can apply???give me some instructions......Thanks!

winnie 30/08/2016 at 10:13 pm

Hi am doing my last semester in Business Management Higher Certificate

karish 14/08/2016 at 9:23 pm

Hi.l want to work in a bank so LM picking my courses soon for grade 10.what courses should l take.l am not really good in maths but l want to do well in it .please help me.thank you

Nothing 06/06/2016 at 9:26 pm

Hi I'm currently working in retail store. I would like to know that I want to work in a bank what I need to study I got entry level 3 what I need to do next step please could you give me some idea

AFinanceCareer Editor 08/03/2016 at 11:01 am

There are lots of different jobs in a bank ranging from bank manager, customer services adviser, financial adviser, investment banker etc, all can be accessed by the National Careers website here where you can find out all you need to know. Good luck.

Happy 07/03/2016 at 11:24 am

Hi, I would like to know what I can study if I want to work in a bank or in companies. The office jobs, not being a teller.

Thank you

AFinanceCareer Editor 08/02/2016 at 10:22 am

Please see National Careers link here for more details on how you can qualify. I hope this helps.

Lele 07/02/2016 at 5:34 am

im doing my last semester of Business Management Diploma..so I want to be A Bank Manager...what must i do to reach that position???pls hlp

Yummyha 21/01/2016 at 10:19 am

Don't be bank manager it bad lol xDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Flavitha 09/01/2016 at 8:31 pm

I am currently doing a Diploma in Business Management and I would like to work at any Bank. Do I have to work at the bank.

AFinanceCareer Editor 07/08/2015 at 2:03 pm

For your GSCEs generally speaking you'll want to take numerical-based subjects, but in addition languages are becoming increasingly important.

AdamJordan245 06/08/2015 at 12:19 pm

I am picking my GCSE's this year and I need to what I need to pick. What Qualifications do I need to work in a bank?

AFinanceCareer Editor 16/06/2015 at 11:37 am

@alisha - I have included a link to the National Careers Service here. It might be more beneficial to you if you had some help and advice directly. I hope this helps.

alisha 13/06/2015 at 3:37 pm

I have done computer engineering.But it has been 10 years I have finished my studies. Now I wanted to start my career. What can I do please suggest.

AFinanceCareer Editor 16/06/2015 at 10:39 am

@Meera - it depends what area of banking you wish to go in to. If you wanted to start in a customer service role, then you will be considered for a post. Maths plays an integral role in the work of an interior designer, so therefore this crossover would work in your favour when applying for jobs. As specified in the article, although there are specific degrees for banking and finance there are no specific qualifications needed for entry level banking jobs. I hope this helps.

Meera 13/06/2015 at 10:55 am

I have completed Bsc Interior design can i work in bank?pls help me

AFinanceCareer Editor 27/05/2015 at 10:54 am

@parmeshwar nath panw - you would really have to speak to a careers advisor directly about what jobs are open to you in this sector. Please see National Careers Service whichI hope this helps.

parmeshwar nath panw 24/05/2015 at 11:57 am

I have passing out my 10 +2 with 54.4% and 10th 55.83%.
So, can i apply in Banking Sector for any job ? so please help me

Asd 28/09/2014 at 9:02 am

I have an undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Commerce Accounting and finance. I would like to know if that is the least I can do to have a career in banking? I would like to know if I need to study some extra packages to work in a bank. Kindly advice.
Thank you

ishu 22/08/2014 at 8:44 am

is it okay if i do mba in business management, so that i can do a job in a bank?

ishu 22/08/2014 at 8:36 am

What degree should i do in order to get a good job in a bank?

none 02/08/2014 at 7:33 am

Its actualy a question. I have appeared for Mcom part1 and i am in last year now. Can i get a job in a bank? Pls answer my query.

tkd 16/05/2014 at 3:03 pm

I have Bsc Banking and Finance and also possess professional certificate for the Chartered Institute of bankers in Nigeria.

Kindly advise if the above certificates will qualify for banking career in the Uk and what level?

Thank you

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