For the millionth time

Is pursuing a MSc Finance in London from a target/semi-target school a sound choice? 

Context: 1 year experience in a back-office role in an SEA country. My profile will absolutely land me in a semi-target finance programme in the UK (UCL, Warwick), but I will take 1 more year to enhance my profile + obtain front-office experience and try to get into LSE or Oxbridge. My goal is to get into BB/Elite IB in London, and am not really open to work elsewhere (don't judge). Money is something to consider but not a huge barrier.

Of course a PG degree itself it not sufficient, I would still need to network and be proactive. But would a Master's enhance my employability in London, especially if I couldn't get any banking experience under my belt? I've heard that without prior experience, pursuing a PG degree even from a target school is not as impactful as many think.

Which one is the bare minimum?

Semi target no experience
0% (0 votes)
Target no experience
10% (1 vote)
Semi target with experience
30% (3 votes)
Target with experience
40% (4 votes)
None - just give up
20% (2 votes)
Total votes: 10
1 Comments

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”