Breaking into finance requires more than a substantial degree and a polished CV. Students and ambitious professionals must also learn to network with industry leaders and peers. The upcoming 2025 UK Student Finance Summit offers exactly this, bringing together over 1,000 students and 30+ senior finance leaders for career-defining opportunities.
This prestigious event, taking place on October 31, 2025, at the Kensington Conference and Event Centre, has established itself as the UK’s largest student finance gathering. Attendees will network with professionals from Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Citi, and other top institutions.
Why Networking Events Matter for Finance Careers
Landing a role in finance depends heavily on who you know and what you understand about the industry. The UK Student Finance Summit addresses both needs by creating direct access to senior professionals who shape hiring decisions and market strategies.
Students from Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial College, UCL, Warwick, and Durham will gather alongside working professionals, creating networking opportunities that often lead to internships and graduate positions.
The summit recognises this by combining access with education. Panel discussions feature industry leaders who share insights into current market dynamics and what they look for in candidates. Speakers include John Storey, Partner and Co-Head of Equities Distribution at Goldman Sachs, Mark Aedy, Chairman of EMEA & Asia at Moelis & Company, and Georgina Brittain, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at JP Morgan Asset Management. These sessions will also teach students to use tools like TradingView to evaluate markets and identify opportunities effectively.
Beyond the main panels, attendees can join selective breakout sessions covering specific divisions within banking, application workshops led by recruiters, and senior roundtables offering intimate discussions with professionals. The day also includes a stock pitch competition judged by active traders and bankers, giving participants a tangible CV boost and practical experience in presenting investment ideas.
What To Expect From UK Student Finance Summit 2025
The summit runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and packs substantial value into a single day. Registration opens at 8:30 AM, followed by opening speeches at 9:00 AM that set the tone for the event. The event highlights include:
Panel Discussions on Career Fundamentals
Senior bankers share their career stories and the choices that shaped their paths. Panels cover buy-side versus sell-side roles, different banking divisions, alternative routes into finance, and how AI is reshaping finance jobs. The “Real Talk from Recruiters and Recent Hires” session provides application insights that textbooks and career services often miss.
Selective Breakout Sessions
Limited-capacity workshops dive deeper into specific topics. The CISI workshop, finance skills sessions, and senior roundtables on investment banking divisions operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration for these sessions opens mid-September, making early ticket purchases essential for securing spots.
Stock Pitch Competition Final Stage
Career26’s stock pitch competition allows students to demonstrate analytical skills and market knowledge. The final stage occurs during the summit, with judges evaluating presentations and announcing winners. This competition offers excellent resume material and recognition from industry professionals.
Structured Networking Breaks
Morning coffee breaks and a lunch networking session provide dedicated time to connect with speakers and peers. Light refreshments, including sandwiches, tea, and coffee, are included in the ticket price.
How To Get Tickets For the UK Student Finance Summit 2025
Tickets for the summit are available through Eventbrite, with limited spots remaining. The event is exclusively for university students, including 2025 graduates. Student ID verification occurs at the door on the event day.
The ticket price covers all sessions, workshops, networking breaks, and a light lunch. Students from low-income backgrounds can apply for reserved free tickets by contacting zhan@career26.com with supporting documentation. International students currently enrolled at universities are welcome to attend alongside UK-based students.
Other Finance Events Worth Attending
London hosts numerous finance and accounting conferences throughout the academic year that complement the hands-on focus of the Student Finance Summit. These events offer additional networking opportunities and specialised knowledge:
- World Conference on Accounting and Financial Reporting (WCAFR)
Date: 14 November 2025 - International Conference on Business, Accounting, Financial, Marketing and Management Analytics (ICBAFMMA)
Date: 14 November 2025 - International Conference on Taxation Studies (ICTS)
Date: 15 November 2025 - World Conference on Accountants (WCA)
Date: 1 December 2025 - International Conference on Finance and Accounting (ICFA)
Date: 8 December 2025 - International Conference on Vocational Education and Training (ICVET)
Date: 16 December 2025 - International Conference on Finance and Business Economics (ICFABE)
Date: 29 December 2025 - International Conference on Recent Advances in Economics, Finance and Statistics (ICRAEFS)
Date: 30 December 2025.
Your Path Forward
The 2025 UK Student Finance Summit represents a significant step toward building a finance career, but it works best as part of a broader strategy. Attend the event to network with professionals and learn about career paths. Then, dedicate time to developing analytical skills that will make you competitive for the roles you will discover.
