How to Get into Investment Banking After BCom: The Ultimate 2025 Strategy Guide

Why Investment Banking After BCom Is Not Just a Pipe Dream

You don’t need to be from IIM or Ivy League to land your first IB role. With the right mix of skills, mindset, and smart choices, getting into investment banking after BCom is absolutely possible.
While BCom doesn’t give you a direct ticket, it builds your foundation in accounting, finance, and business analysis-skills investment bankers use every day.

Step-by-Step: How to Get into Investment Banking After BCom

1. Understand What Investment Banking Really Is

First, stop confusing it with stock trading. Investment Banking is all about:

• M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions)
• Fundraising: Equity & Debt
• IPO support
• Company Valuation
• Deal structuring
• Financial Modelling

You’ll be deep in Excel, PowerPoint, and due diligence. It’s not just finance—it’s finance with adrenaline.

2. Master Finance Basics & Excel

This is non-negotiable. Most freshers think marks matter more than models—they’re wrong.

• Learn Excel like your career depends on it
• Study Financial Modelling from Breaking Into Wall Street, CFI, or YouTube playlists
• Build models for companies listed on NSE/BSE

3. Add-on Courses (Optional but Powerful)

If your BCom curriculum was weak in finance, boost your chances with:

• CFA Level 1 (Finance firms love it)
• Wall Street Prep, CFI, or Financial Edge courses
• Internships in Due Diligence or Corporate Finance

Answering Real Questions BCom Students Have

Q1. Can I get into IB with just BCom and no CFA?

Yes, if you have internships, models, or boutique firm experience. CFA helps, but it's not mandatory.

Q2. How long does it take to break into IB after BCom?

1–2 years if you build strong finance skills and network well.

Q3. What’s the salary for a fresher in IB after BCom?

₹6–10 LPA in boutique firms; more if you lateral in from Big 4 or have CFA L1.

Q4. Is MBA necessary later?

Not for entry. But an MBA (IIM, ISB) helps transition from Analyst → Associate → VP.

Conclusion: How to Get into Investment Banking After BCom Is About Smart Strategy, Not Status

Here’s the bottom line—your college name doesn’t define your career.

To crack investment banking after BCom, you need:

• Smart financial skills
• 1–2 solid internships
• A LinkedIn that tells your IB story
• A few pitchbooks/models to show
• Hunger to learn

The salary in investment banking after BCom may not match IIM grads initially, but the exposure and experience you gain? Priceless.

So if you’re serious about how to get into investment banking after BCom, start today.
Not tomorrow.
Not after MBA.
Today.