Best Masters for Equity Research?
A friend of mine has a Bachelor in Accounting and Economics from a non target in the UK and passed CFA Level 1 and CFA Level 2. His aim is to apply for a Masters at my University (LSE) to improve his chances of gaining a position in equity research (sell side or buy side) in London.
Which one of the following programs would you recommend? MSC Economic History (£12k) or MSC Accounting and Finance (£25K)?
MSC in Economic History because Equity Research involves a lot of writing and reading, he told me. The cost is also quite high for the latter.
He already has good quantitative and financial modelling skills. Furthermore, he already has an Accounting background, henceforth he feels that he wouldn't learn a lot of new things through the MSC Accounting program, however he is slightly concerned since the Accounting Masters is seen as more prestigious in the City.
What are your thoughts? What MSC would prepare him better for Equity Research? Does it matter what course he studies as long as he graduates from LSE or will employers prefer an individual who studied a more prestigious course?
Thanks for all the help.
Any thoughts?
Strictly for London, right?
Yes, stricly for London.
Definitely the MSC in Accounting and Finance Much more relevant for ER
A no-brainer. A&F is the way to go. Surprisingly, the "A" bit will be far more useful than the "F".
Thought so, I will inform him. Thanks a lot.
MSF to equity research? (Originally Posted: 03/17/2014)
I'm going to get an MSF later this year and I really wanna do equity research. Is this possible? The program I'm doing IS CFA partnered and I plan to get up on that.
Of course, plenty of MSF people in ER. Actually, in Europe quite a substantial bulk of people go on to complete MSF programmes before they start as Associates.
MSF for ER? (Originally Posted: 03/11/2010)
Have BBA undergrad and would like to break into equity research. Thinking about going MSF route. What would my chances of landing something from say a BC Nova or UF type MSF?
Would a 20-30 ranked MBA with CFA be better? Or would a MSF and CFA work just as well. Probably will be cheaper...
Any input would be appreciated.
MSF will get you into ER, but you might want to couple it with the CFA also. I know 2 people from last years MSF class in ER (well 3-4 if you consider valuation). This is from Villanova.
ER where? HF, BB, mutual fund, family office...
BB
For research at a BB, I still believe an MBA will open more doors in the long run.
For your current situation, I would recommend applying to both MSF and MBA programs. There's a decent chance that someone in the top 10-15 of MBA or MSF programs will take you if you can get a 700 on the GMATs and produce reasonably strong (but unequivocal) references.
It will get much more difficult to get into a BB if you are not going to a top 10-15 school. Villanova is a verygood program but it's sort of on the border-line for recruiting at many banks; NYU would make things significantly easier if you can come up with the extra 20-30 points on the GRE.
I go to Villanova and if you want BB equity research I would focus on getting an MBA. People I know doing ER are in middle market shops.
Would a masters help me become an ER associate? (Originally Posted: 04/11/2014)
I will be starting my undergrad at a non target in NYC next year and I will be entering with 45 credits. I have the option of doing a masters in financial or investment management and I'd still finish my undergrad and masters in 4 years. Given that I would have good academics and internship experience, would doing the masters help me break in as an ER associate, or am I better off just doing my undergrad and finishing in 2.5-3 years?
Can't you do the undergrad, and then decide on the masters after you get a feel for your prospects during junior and senior year recruiting cycles?
No need to get a masters of you get an offer after undergrad. Just take things 1 step at a time.
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