GAIN Investment Insight Programme

Discover the world of investment with confidence

Explore investing with confidence

Are you curious about what investment management really means — and whether it could be the right career for you?

The GAIN Investment Insight Programme (GIIP) helps young women and non-binary students explore this exciting and rewarding industry.

Through interactive seminars, mentoring, and in-person Spring Insight Days hosted by top investment firms, you’ll gain the understanding and confidence to take your first steps into investment management.

100% 
of participants would recommend the programme 
to other students.

Why choose the GIIP?

The GIIP goes beyond the typical Spring Week by offering a comprehensive 10-week experience. You’ll gain foundational knowledge of investment management and the skills to succeed through. Here are just a few examples:

Get exclusive access to professionals across the investment industry.
Build lasting connections through networking and mentoring.
Gain practical insights into investment careers — from analysts to portfolio managers.
Learn directly from leading firms committed to improving gender diversity.

Who can take part?

Open to:

  • Women and non-binary students currently in full-time education.


  • First year (or second year on a four-year course) undergraduates studying any subject.
  • Anyone curious about finance — no prior experience or financial background is required.

No prior investment experience is required — just curiosity, motivation, and a drive to make a difference.

3 GAIN students smiling at awards event

What’s included?

Workshops & Seminars

Learn the fundamentals of investing and financial markets.


Mentoring


Small group mentoring from an investment industry professional.

Spring Insight Days


Visit investment firms to see how the industry works from the inside.


Networking Opportunities

Meet peers and professionals who share your interests and ambitions.

The Spring Days

The GAIN Investment Insight Programme Spring Days are the highlight of your 10-week journey — bringing your online learning and mentoring to life.

They’ll take place on 8–9 April 2026, in London and Edinburgh.

A small-group experience

From the very start, you’ll join a supportive peer networking group of 5–7 students.

You’ll attend your Spring Days together, sharing ideas, preparing your presentations, and building lasting connections with your peers and mentors.

This small-group format creates a more personal, collaborative experience with your host firm and helps you get the most from every session.

Bespoke, interactive activities

Each host firm designs its own unique two-day programme to show you how investment management really works.

You’ll gain hands-on insight through activities such as:

  • Firm overviews and Q&A with professionals across different teams
  • Work shadowing with analysts and portfolio managers
  • CV and interview workshops to prepare you for future applications

Speed networking and informal lunches with industry professionals

Your Stock Pitch Challenge

Throughout the programme, your peer group will collaborate virtually on a stock pitch project — researching, analysing, and presenting an investment idea.

During the Spring Days, you’ll refine your pitch and present it to a panel of investment professionals for feedback.

Financial Support

We believe cost should never be a barrier to opportunity.

If you are invited to attend a Spring Insight Day and need help with travel or other expenses, bursary support is available.

Find out more in our Bursary info

Programme Schedule

2nd February

Welcome to the GIIP!

9th February & 16th February

Fundamentals of Investment Management & AmplifyMe: How to Create a Stock Pitch

19th February

Networking Event

23rd February & 2nd March

Mentoring Session 1 & AmplifyMe: Finance Fundamentals

9th March & 16th March

Mentoring Session 2 & ESG and Sustainability Integration

23rd March & 30th March

Spring Day Preparation & Mentoring Session 3

8th & 9th April

Spring Days & Networking Event

13th April

Investment Career Toolkit

Hear from past participants

The opportunity to interact with mentors and firm representatives helped expand my professional network and provided insight into different career paths.

Saniyah, GIIP participant

The programme was amazing! Especially the sessions before, it really shaped my knowledge about the industry and made going into the firm less intimidating.

Sanyu, GIIP participant

The programme followed a logical and well-structured flow, starting with sessions where I learned the fundamentals, and gradually building up to the practical application during the stock pitch.

Kateryna, GIIP participant

It was incredibly useful as each week covered a different topic and area of finance. I think the insight days were the most useful part of the programme as we got some in-person experience of what a job and office in investments look like.

Danithmee, GIIP participant

GIIP provided a safe place to learn insightful knowledge of the investment management world. The team was supportive the entire time and the other girls involved were eager to engage and help each other.

Olivia, GIIP Participant

FAQs

Not at all! Students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

No — the programme is completely free.

Events are hosted online and in-person in London and Edinburgh. Some travel support may be available.

Applications for the programme will open in autumn. Sign up to our Student Newsletter to receive reminder.

Yes. If you’re selected for an in-person Spring Day, you may be eligible for bursary support to cover travel or accommodation costs. See our Bursary information for details.

Not yet. You must be studying at a UK university to take part in this programme.

Got questions?

We’re here to help. If you’d like to learn more about the programme or your application, please email:

programmes@gainuk.org

Send email