Imperial vs LBS Urgent!
Monkeys I need urgent help! I have received offers from:
LBS, Masters in Management
and
Imperial College Business School, Msc. of Finance
I have 2 days to confirm LBS and just got in Imperial...I REALLY don't know which one is best to get into investment banking...please I need someone's help!!!!!
LBS is better in terms of name and reputation in the business world, but the Imperial Business School is steadily climbing up the ranks, and MSc in Finance is definitely a lot better for IB than MSc in Management (at least in London) I would say go with the MSc Finance
Completely agree with MrLondon.
I would go with Imperial.
i would do LBS... easier degree, better network etc.
All top banks hire from both programs. Having done the Msc Fionance I can only say that the LBS program must be more interesting. If you are aming at M&A, go LBS (as it doesnt matter here). If it is S&T, clear choice....
pm me for more.
ps. my firm hires from both programs and both are "target".
Whilst imperial is a science based institution, LBS is one of the best management schools in the world. You ahve access to the same teachers, alumnis as the LBS MBA (The Msc Management is a small MBA as a matter of fact). The LBS MBA is one of the tops in the world. Think about that...
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MSc Finance sends your message more clearly, rather than management programme. At the moment, LBS > Imperial in terms of banking placements, but I would argue that Finance >> Management. People from Imperial that I know are generally placed really well in London.
Congratulations on your offers, that's impressive!
MSc Finance at Imperial vs MSc Management at LBS (Originally Posted: 04/15/2014)
I've been accepted into both programs and wanted to canvass WSO for some additional opinions and perspectives.
Clearly the two differ greatly, but which one is likely to open more doors, or at least, close fewer doors?
Would firms view the MSc Management as a 'light' version of an MBA and thus view the more mathematically vigorous MSc Finance as a better degree?
I plan/imagine myself possibly doing an MBA in a few years. Taking that into account, would the MSc Finance be the best choice?
Imperial if you want finance. What is that you want to do after?
I've done 10 week internships in IB, Corporate Banking and in S&T, but I've not made up my mind yet. So the postgraduate degree that best keeps those three doors open is the one I'm looking for.
From what I've heard LBS has more prestige. Management degree would also open you upto consulting positions and also banking.
But if you want finance then Imperial should be the choice.
What are your career goals? Do you want to consulting or IBD or cop.fin?
I'v worked in both, and while I prefer corporate finance, I am not 100% certain about my convictions.
LBS.
Imperial is shit for Finance.
Isn't Imperial one of the top 3-4 finance courses in the UK (along with Oxbridge and LSE)?
Yes it is . Previous poster is talking rubbish. For finance go imperial.
Oxbridge? Wtf
How can it be top 3-4 when you have LSE, Oxford, Cambridge and LBS?
It is arguably top 5, though it is no better than Warwick Business School.
Internationally, do you really think anyone has heard of Imperial except HK/Singapore?
The MSc in Management is good, but the MSc in Finance is even better. I have a friend who's doing it this year and absolutely loves it. The course is highly quantitative and quite good for IB. I would recommend it. Bear in mind, though, that both courses are frightfully expensive!
You applied to both, did you not go through the 'I got into both which will I choose' scenario at some point?
if you just want to get into IBD, go to LBS and enjoy the year.... believe me.
In general the Imperial program will open more doors, also down the line. Nevertheless, If its just getting into IBD, got o LBS and enjoy the year
For pure IB, an Msc Management would be enough I assume,and LBS is top. However, if you want to keep other options in finance open, I would suggest Imperial
Thanks everyone, I ended up choosing LBS...
great choice! make best use of the resources. Your class and school will be more impressive and valuable in the long-run than Imperial which is and remains a science institution. Its a stupid comparison but compare it (obv. not the same level) it to HBS vs MIT MS Fin.
Make the most of the MBA resources as this is one of the best MBAs in the world. This means the people you run into on a daily basis will not be 21 year old with a math background as you would have in Imperial.
congrats.
LDNBNKR you're not completely right, as he's not going to do the LBS MBA, which is the best in the world, but the MSc in Management, which is a completely new program and still out of the rankings and which is designed for people without any previous work experience. He will definitely have 21 year olds with math backgrounds in his class.
i understand he is not doing the MBA. Still, having done the Msc in Finance I can tell you there is a difference between the Msc Management candidates I do interview and the Msc finance (mostly asians) who i did my msc with.
LBS is well known for its MBA. Personally, I don't view Masters of Management as relevant to finance so I'd have gone with Imperial.
I would also definitely go with LBS...much more stronger network and surely more options for career and location afterwards.
Both place well, though tbh my firm (BB) hasn't hired any IBD analysts from Imperial in the past year while we've had a handful of MiM alum. This is more to say that the MiM from LBS will not be a total door-closer. The LBS network in London is quite strong
Having been in the dilemma between these 2 schools I can now safely say that LBS MiM is extremely strong in placing for investment banking. I would consider it a much better choice than any other Msc Finance if someone wants to stay close to corporate finance and financial advisory, from all aspects.
Hey Jack23,
I am from India, and have the same choices ! With work visas really hard, which do you think provides a better opportunity ? Also did you feel that MiM places well in IB ?
LBS MiM alum here - incredibly easy to land interview at BB IBD - plenty of kids got offer (even more MBB if you consider consulting). Part-time job at PE/HF/start up is pretty normal here. Quite a few multi-billion HF recruit MBA level job here (cuz they don't know the diff), and ppl do get interviews. Ofc whether you can get the offer depends on your performance.
Megafunds PE came to recruit - just FYI BX/Carlyle/BainCap/KKR would not interview any imperial undergrad/grad. This is confirmed with HRs. Target schools in UK is oxbridge/LSE/LBS for megafunds pre-exp. (YES PRE EXP ANALYST case)
Disclosure: I went to top target UK undergrad, have interned at megafund London, and interviewed with multiple aforementioned funds. I do think LBS would give you an edge in IB placement.
You may find more impressive (hard-skills) candidates at Imperial for more hardcore finance jobs, since there are more ppl interested in conuslting at LBS, but unless you are really the quanty type, I'd say you make a right choice. Enjoy the easy courseload, party, and awesome alum network at LBS.
Take it with a grain of salt anyway.
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