Finance and business bachelors or Economics with finance bachelors (High semi-target) UK

I wanted to get a quick consensus before I decide which major to pursue.  (Might fucking break me or make me considering I am going to study at a semi-target) I aim to break into high finance, and I'm concerned about the impact of my major choices on my career. I'm adamant about choosing between them. University: University of Edinburgh Option 1: Finance and Business (50% : 50%) MA (Honours) Business School, accredited by the Business School  Option 2: Economics with Finance (75% : 25%) MA (Honours) Economics School, accredited by the Business School (Weird, I know)  Option 1 pros/cons: Finance with business: Benefits: More available credits can be spent on finance classes, such as M&A, financial markets, Futures and options, fixed income analysis, investments and securities markets, global macro investing, equity finance, and additional accounting classes (fast-track to take these classes in years 1 and 2).Business school presitegeMore Free time Cons: 50% of classes are spent on useless business classes that are 9 times out of 10 completely unanalytical.  And the course itself as a whole is easier.Furthermore, after reviewing graduate surveys, it is found that fewer graduates become analysts, and less satisfaction is reported among the student body.  Most graduates end up in consulting or as analysts (to a lesser extent) right after graduation. Option 2 pros/cons: Economics with Finance: Benefits:More rigorous and analytical courses often require several mandatory challenging economics classes, such as financial econometrics, game theory, advanced mathematical economics, and statistical methods for economics, among others (Check the link above for more information).It has the same accreditation as the business major above, but it falls under the economics school, which is easier to get into but with higher qualifications needed.I will actually learn some interesting theories and apply relevant analytical concepts. Cons: Less time is spent on financial classes, and most financial courses are available in year 3 (with limited credits to spend on) and year 4 (where they won't be helpful because my summer internship would have passed).It's very challenging, so achieving good grades will be hard, but it's doable.There is no business school prestige, as it's under the economics school; however, it's the only economics major accredited by the business school. Conclusion: Finance with business is less analytical and less demanding, but it gives me more freedom for external work, such as extracurricular activities.  It lacks the analytical rigour and toughness that IB recruiters seek, and it fails to teach critical economic principles.  And the business classes are terrible.  And from what I have seen, it has lower chances of breaking into top banks. Economics with finance is very analytically demanding and enriching; it has the same accreditation but lacks business school prestige, and not enough time is spent teaching actual finance.  The window of opportunity to take those classes falls in the last years of the major, making it annoying.  It looks better on paper but is harder to execute. Which degree is better for high finance? Thank you.  Please keep the roasting to a minimum, and note that these are the only two viable finance majors at the University of Edinburgh, besides Finance and Accounting, which have their own issues. 

7 Comments
 

Stonks are only going down:

pick option 2 because "Economics" sounds better than "Business"



use your spare time to learn the technicals, not via your classes 


Yeah I’m with you on that, but the Econ class is significantly notorious for being tough especially considering its fail rate.

So my concern with it, is not only am I learning jack shit that’s relevant sometimes, but that I’m not going to be able to get high grades and prioritize other aspects of my application.

 

Thanks a lot man I think I am going to opt for finance, just needed to get a lot of opinions on it from people in the industry rather than just the uni

 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's the breakdown:

If your ultimate goal is to break into high finance (e.g., investment banking, private equity, or asset management), Economics with Finance is likely the better choice for the following reasons:

Why Economics with Finance Stands Out:

  1. Analytical Rigor: High finance roles, especially in investment banking and equity research, value strong analytical and quantitative skills. The challenging coursework in economics (e.g., financial econometrics, game theory, advanced mathematical economics) will better prepare you for the technical aspects of these roles.
  2. Recruiter Perception: Economics degrees are often viewed as more rigorous and prestigious than business degrees, especially when paired with finance. This can make your profile more attractive to recruiters.
  3. Skill Development: The focus on statistical methods, econometrics, and advanced economic theories will give you a strong foundation in problem-solving and data analysis, which are critical in high finance.
  4. Accreditation: Despite being under the economics school, the program is still accredited by the business school, which helps maintain credibility.

Drawbacks to Consider:

  • Limited Finance Exposure Early On: Since most finance courses are available in years 3 and 4, you may need to supplement your learning with external resources (e.g., WSO's Financial Modeling Prep, CFA Level 1 materials) to prepare for internships.
  • Grade Pressure: The challenging nature of the program may make it harder to maintain a high GPA, which is important for competitive finance roles.

Why Finance with Business Falls Short:

  1. Lack of Analytical Depth: The business courses are less rigorous and may not provide the technical skills or intellectual challenge that high finance recruiters prioritize.
  2. Weaker Placement Outcomes: As you noted, graduates from this program tend to end up in consulting or less competitive analyst roles, which suggests it may not be as effective for breaking into top-tier banks.
  3. Perception of Easiness: Recruiters may view this degree as less demanding, which could hurt your chances when competing against candidates with more quantitative backgrounds.

Recommendations:

  • Choose Economics with Finance: It aligns better with the skills and rigor sought by high finance recruiters. While it may be more challenging, the analytical foundation it provides will set you apart.
  • Supplement Your Learning: To address the limited finance exposure in the early years, consider taking online courses (e.g., WSO Financial Modeling, Wall Street Prep) or pursuing internships to build practical finance skills.
  • Network Aggressively: Regardless of your major, networking is critical. Leverage the University of Edinburgh's alumni network and attend finance-related events to connect with industry professionals.

In conclusion, Economics with Finance offers a stronger foundation for high finance roles, even if it requires more effort and strategic planning on your part.

Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/msc-finance-at-tilburg-university-or-msc-business-economics-financial-economics-major?customgpt=1, Finance Degree Worth More Than Accounting Degree?, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/uk-master-in-finance-advice?customgpt=1, Physics undergrad admitted to top b-school, MSc Finance University of Bath vs University of Edinburgh

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

Voluptatem distinctio maiores quasi sint cumque et. Ut sed quia et voluptatibus. Modi aut quas quia et et fugiat reiciendis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”