Eligibility criteria

The Brokerage works with ambitious, motivated young people like you, and leading businesses within finance, law, insurance, tech and more to bridge the gap and make corporate careers accessible and inclusive for everyone.

You must also fit our eligibility criteria:

  1. Currently living and studying in the UK (or have recently graduated)
  2. Eligible to work in the UK
  3. Aged 16-25
  4. Achieved 4/C or above in English and Maths GCSE  (or equivalent)
  5. Studying/studied A levels (or equivalent) at a state school AND
  6. at least one of the following is applicable: 
  1. At the age of 14, your highest paid parent/guardian did not have a professional position (see our application form for more details);
  2. OR you were eligible for free school meals during your time at school;
  3. OR neither parent completed a university degree in the UK.
  4. OR you are a looked after child/care leaver

Why do we have these eligibility criteria?

Criteria 6a which asks what job your highest earning parent did when you were 14 is a new question from September 2021. We have chosen it because it is recommended by the Social Mobility Commission as the best way of working out if you come from a more privileged background. To answer it you choose a broad job category such as ‘Technical and craft occupations’ or ‘Modern professional & traditional professional’. On the form we give lots of examples in each category. You then choose the category that fits best. If you don’t know, or prefer not to answer this question, you can say that instead. 

We ask about free school meals and whether previous generations of your family went to university in the UK because these are also related to how well-off your family is likely to have been. 

The Brokerage is here to support people who face barriers when accessing professional careers. If you fall outside any of the criteria listed but you feel that there are personal or exceptional circumstances that we should consider, please complete our discretionary form (by following the link above). We consider each of these on a case by case basis.

  • Before The Brokerage gave a presentation at my school, I didn’t even know what an internship was. I just thought it was something that university students do. Fast forward a few months and here I am, working in the heart of London.

    Brokerage Intern