How much does university prestige matter for breaking into finance roles in Germany?

Hi

thanks for your question, and I totally get the concern.

It’s true that target schools like WHU or Mannheim often have an edge when it comes to visibility. Many firms focus their recruiting efforts and events there, and it can be easier to get first-round interviews through those channels.

That said, university name isn't everything. Strong internships, great grades, and a clear story can definitely make up for it, especially if you’re active in networking and show that you’re serious. I’d also look out for public recruiting events or workshops that aren’t tied to a specific uni, and maybe even try to attend events at target schools if that’s possible, many are open to motivated students from other backgrounds too.

It might take a bit more initiative, but plenty of people have broken in from non-targets and those extra steps often help you stand out in the long run.

Rita

This is a very real and honest question, and you’re definitely not the only one thinking about it — especially in a country like Germany where the finance scene is tight-knit and somewhat brand-conscious.

The short answer is: yes, target schools matter — especially for breaking into investment banking or private equity. Banks and PE firms in Germany (and across Europe) do have a strong bias toward schools like WHU, Mannheim, and LMU, mostly because they know the students there are pre-filtered, competitive, and already plugged into the finance ecosystem. These schools also have direct pipelines — things like exclusive recruiting events, on-campus presentations, and alumni networks in top firms.

But that said, the name on your diploma is not the end of the story. If you're coming from a non-target, what really matters is what you do to close that gap. Here’s the truth: once you're in the interview room, the playing field levels out fast. Firms care about how you think, what you’ve done, and whether you can handle the job — not just what university you went to.

If you can stack up strong internships (Big 4 TS/Valuations, boutique M&A, corporate finance roles), maintain top grades, and — most importantly — build real connections, you can absolutely compete. Networking is your biggest lever here. Cold emails, LinkedIn outreach, coffee chats — they’re all awkward at first, but they work. A warm referral often gets your CV looked at, regardless of where you studied.

Another angle: go after internships aggressively and early. Even if your first one isn’t at a top firm, use it as a stepping stone. Banks love seeing progression. For example, Big 4 > boutique IB > mid-market IB is a very real and effective path.

Also consider doing a Master’s at a target school later on. Many people from non-target backgrounds use this move to rebrand themselves and gain access to on-campus recruiting pipelines. A Master in Finance at WHU, Mannheim, or SSE, for example, can be a powerful reset button.

Bottom line — the school name can open doors faster, but it’s not a dealbreaker. It just means you need to hustle a bit more early on. But if you're driven, strategic, and willing to put in the work, you can 100% make it.

Let me know what year you're in or what internships you’ve had so far — I can help you map out the next steps.