EU vs UK Masters

I’m a final year law student at Nottingham and am in the application process for a both SA & FT finance roles (IB, Markets, AM, PE etc). Did a gap year mid degree where I did two off-cycles, one doing ER at a mid-size AM in my home country (i’m a triple citizen of an EU, UK & Australia/NZ) & one at a lmm IB boutique. Also have some lmm PE exp. Will likely graduate with an upper second class (2.1).

I plan to do the off-cycle route for a year if I don’t land anything, but will likely gun for a Msc Finance or MiM program starting 2026 if I strike out. Being that I have work authorization in both the UK & the EU, i’m not really partial to being in London vs. a place like Zurich, Paris, Milan etc. However I only speak english at this point so that’s to note. I also would be open to everything under the sun, whether it be VC, MBB/T2, IB, ER etc.

In the UK, it seems like the programs worth attending are at LSE, Imperial, LBS & maybe Warwick (?). Obv Oxford MFE is great but I doubt i’ll get in with a 2.1 from a non-STEM/Econ background, and same applies for Cambridge MPhil.

In the EU, HEC Paris MiM/MIF seem great (if I can get in), SSE, HSG, Bocconi and maybe RSM and/or other french schools like ESSEC. However, again, I only speak english and am not sure if this should impact the outcomes of these schools (ie. Bocconi kids being recruited as the best italian kids, and i’m not italian etc).

I’m willing to take debt for the right program, but ofc the EU options are attractive as they’re generally cheaper (especially so with SSE/RSM/HSG). I’m moreso looking for the highest chance to get a good job and the right fit.

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