Choosing Uni for IB/ finance

Hello, I would like to ask for advice regarding my university choices.
I am an international Asian student, and my long-term goal is to enter the IB/finance industry. I may return to Korea after graduation, but I am also interested in working in Asia(Hong Kong or Singapore) or London or in other international financial hubs.

My options are:
1. HKUST School of Business and Management
I would enter with an undeclared major and choose my major in my second year, so there may be tough competition for Gbus or other popular majors. Also, I do not speak Cantonese or Mandarin. Would English be enough to enter the finance industry in Hong Kong?

2. Warwick PPE — Philosophy, Politics and Economics
I know Warwick is considered a target school for finance in the UK, but I am worried because PPE is not pure Economics. If I specialize in Economics within PPE, would I study similar content to pure Economics students? And after graduation, would PPE students with an Economics focus have similar career prospects and recognition as pure Economics students?

3. University of Toronto Economics
I would choose Economics as my major in second year(though i enter as humanities students).

4. Singapore Management University PLE(Politics, Law, Economics) or Business Mangement
Curious if PLE is still strong in finance sectors.
Also, does SMU hold strong reputation in countries outside Singapore in finance?

Considering IB/finance career prospects, employer recognition, and flexibility across Korea, Asia, London, and other financial hubs, which university would be the strongest choice? Which option would give me the best chance of entering IB/finance?

3 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a breakdown of your options for entering the IB/finance industry:

1. HKUST School of Business and Management

  • Pros: HKUST is a strong choice for finance in Asia, particularly in Hong Kong. It has a solid reputation and is considered a semi-target school for IB in the region. English is widely used in Hong Kong's finance industry, so not speaking Cantonese or Mandarin won't be a major barrier for entry-level roles in international firms.
  • Cons: Competition for popular majors like Global Business (Gbus) can be intense. If you don't secure a top-tier major, it might slightly impact your career prospects.

2. Warwick PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics)

  • Pros: Warwick is a target school for finance in the UK, and its alumni network is strong in London. Specializing in Economics within PPE can still provide you with a solid foundation for finance roles. Many Warwick PPE graduates successfully enter IB, especially if they focus on internships and networking.
  • Cons: PPE is not as specialized as a pure Economics degree, which might require you to work harder to demonstrate your quantitative and technical skills during recruitment.

3. University of Toronto Economics

  • Pros: U of T has a strong academic reputation globally, and its Economics program is well-regarded. It offers flexibility to explore career opportunities in North America and Asia. Toronto is also a growing financial hub, which could provide internship opportunities.
  • Cons: U of T is not considered a target school for IB globally, so breaking into top-tier finance roles might require extra effort in networking and securing internships.

4. Singapore Management University (SMU) PLE or Business Management

  • Pros: SMU has a strong reputation in Singapore and is well-connected to the finance industry in Asia. Its Business Management program is particularly well-suited for IB/finance careers. Singapore is a major financial hub, and SMU graduates are often recruited by top firms in the region.
  • Cons: SMU's reputation is strongest within Singapore and Southeast Asia. It may not carry the same weight in London or other global financial hubs compared to Warwick or HKUST.

Recommendation

Considering your goals of working in Korea, Asia (Hong Kong or Singapore), London, or other financial hubs, HKUST and Warwick stand out as the strongest options:

  1. HKUST: Best for building a career in Asia, especially Hong Kong or Singapore. Its semi-target status and proximity to financial hubs make it a strong contender.
  2. Warwick: Best for entering the London finance scene. Its target school status and strong alumni network in the UK finance industry give it an edge for roles in Europe.

If you are leaning towards working in Asia, HKUST or SMU would be better choices. For a global career with flexibility to work in London or other hubs, Warwick is the strongest option.

Sources: High School....now what? AM career??, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/uk-master-in-finance-advice?customgpt=1, The future of Hong Kong high finance, This is going to be a special topic (Highschool Junior), Georgetown MSB vs Michigan Ross vs UC Berkeley

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

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