Bayes BIF vs HSG Economics for IB, is HSG worth the extra risk/effort?
TLDR: I'm a French citizen deciding between Bayes BSc Banking and International Finance and HSG BSc Economics. My goal is IB, ideally London/NYC eventually, then PE. Bayes seems easier for grades + UK networking + later target master’s, while HSG has much stronger brand but harder academics, no local network, higher uncertainty, and would require finding a way to get a loan to cover living costs. I'm trying to understand whether HSG is meaningfully better for IB recruiting, especially if I plan to do a top master’s afterward anyway.
My background:
I'm a french international student and came back to Paris for my first year of uni for a economics and management program at a no name uni and realised about halfway through the year that this wasn't gonna work, so I set my mind on IB and applied for a bunch of transfers after taking my first SAT. I worked on financial modeling, excel work, comp analysis, DCFs, LBOs, A/D M&A models, even interview prep questions. I’m also trying cold outreach for boutique internships trying to take advantage of this "gap summer" since I'll be starting in Y1 again, but I’ll probably make a separate post on that.
I unfortunately didn't get accepted for a single US transfer yet (I'm not holding my breath), but I got an offer for bayes BSc Banking and International Finance, and I'm waiting to pass the aptitude test for HSG st gallen on the second of June.
The way I currently see it is like this (correct me if I'm wrong);
Bayes BIF:
Pros:
- A directly finance related degree
- London city location/easier access to networking
- Potentially easier to score high grades
- Could use strong grades+internships+modeling portfolio to apply for strong master’s later
- More straightforward path culturally/logistically
Cons:
- Weaker brand than HSG
- Not a UK target
- May still need a target master’s for stronger IB odds
- Expensive relative to brand
HSG St Gallen Economics:
Pros:
- Much stronger European brand
- Better reputation in DACH/Europe
- Potentially stronger signal academically
- Could place well into top master’s/finance recruiting if I perform well (easier said than done)
Cons:
- Economics, not finance
- Much harder grading/higher academic risk
- I’m French, no family/support system there
- Would require finding a way to support my living costs
- If I underperform the brand advantage may not matter
My question is whether the incremental brand advantage is worth the extra difficulty and risk, especially if my plan is to do a top master’s afterward anyway.
A few specific questions I’d appreciate thoughts on:
1. For London IB recruiting (and unrealistically, NYC), how much better is HSG undergrad compared with Bayes BIF?
2. Would high grades at Bayes + strong internships+a strong MSc beat average grades at HSG?
3. How realistic is breaking into London IB from Bayes BIF directly versus needing a master’s?
My current instinct is that Bayes may be the lower risk route if I can rank highly, build internship experience, and then apply to a stronger MSc/MFin, but I’m worried I may be underrating HSG’s brand and optionality.
I’d appreciate advice especially from people familiar with London IB recruiting, HSG placement, Bayes/Cass placement, or the value of doing a top master’s after undergrad.
For your decision between Bayes BSc Banking and International Finance (BIF) and HSG BSc Economics, here's a breakdown based on the most helpful WSO content and insights into IB recruiting:
1. HSG vs. Bayes for London IB Recruiting
2. High Grades at Bayes + Strong MSc vs. Average Grades at HSG
3. Realistic Path to London IB from Bayes vs. HSG
Key Considerations:
Recommendations:
TL;DR:
HSG offers a stronger brand and better direct placement into London IB but comes with higher academic and financial risks. Bayes is a safer, more accessible route, especially if you plan to pursue a top MSc later. Your decision should weigh your confidence in excelling academically, financial constraints, and your ability to leverage networking opportunities.
Sources: Goldman Sachs SLC IBD Overview, 2023 Recruitment Official IB Rankings (Post-CS), Q&A: I am a Hedge Fund recruiter
Hsg no question
HSG and it's not even close. You shouldn't think twice making this decision,
What possessed you to think that Bayes was remotely comparable to HSG? Bayes is a high non-target, low semi, while HSG is a European top target, especially within Switzerland. HSG is in conversations with hyper feeders like LSE or Bocconi when Bayes is never in any convo at all…
Thanks, it seems like the consensus is much stronger than I expected. Is your view mostly based on HSG’s brand for London IB, or also master’s placement afterward? Because if I'm honest I don't have the best track record academically and I'm trying to weigh that factor in, as I've heard it's easier to get first class honors at Bayes vs 5.0+ at St Gallen, which is (correct me if I'm wrong) one of the main factors when it comes to getting into a target masters.
Also, how does London recruiting/internships happen? I don't speak German at all so I'd imagine it'd be quite difficult for me to land an IB internship locally, and I'm having trouble grasping how the logistics and application process for London internships from St Gallen work.
Ngl you say you don’t have “the best track record” academically - don’t go forward with that mindset. Your university self can be an entirely new person. I assume you are in your last year of school, and will therefore have a longer summer this summer before uni. Have a long hard think about any mechanisms you can put in place to help with consistency and discipline. There is no ‘I might not do well’. You have to do well, that’s it. Work for it. If you’re smart enough to get an offer from HSG then you CAN do this.
I wouldn’t go into your undergrad thinking about masters. A masters isn’t necessary from HSG, and it’s an extra year of expenses/debt and a year from your life where you peers will have moved on from school. Perform at HSG and you will be set. I wouldn’t take Bayes for an easier first - the difference is so big that a 2.1 equivalent from HSG > 1st from Bayes. I have actively met a bunch of HSG people at the various insight days/springs/and in my upcoming summer’s class, never a Bayes person.
For internships it’s the same as a UK uni, just figure it out. Use the trackers, apply to lots etc there are guides online.
Hope this helps
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