Getting into IBD London Vs Singapore - Should I do MSF? Where?

Hi all, firstly, I'd like to say I'm new here in WSO. I've been reading other people's advice here quite abit, and I find them very helpful. As such, I need advice myself.

I'm completing a degree in Investment and Financial Risk Management from CASS Business School (City University London, they like to brand the business school apart from the uni because of ranking issues). For those who don't know Cass, I would consider my school a Tier 2. (Tier 1 = LSE / Oxbridge). Now, I'm a Singaporean and I plan to settle down back in Singapore with my girlfriend and start a family in about 4-5 years time. (I'm 26 now, if you're wondering why I'm so old for an undergrad, I had to do compulsory national service of 2 years, and I did a diploma in Business IT [Instead of A levels the usual route] which lasted 3 years [instead of 2]). I currently have accepted an investment banking internship with a boutique firm in London this summer.

Now my question is - should I do a masters here in the UK so I can have 1 more chance to apply for grad jobs in buldge brackets (by also leveraging my internship), or should I go back to Singapore and find a job? I have applied to a few tier ones (MSF) in London, but I'm not really sure if I'll take it.

Issue is my brain tells me to do a MSF here in London if I'm offered (I'm pretty sure I can get UCL as I know one of the directors, and its a new course). But my heart isn't. I wish to be back with my loved ones and spend time with them, but yet career wise - I should at least complete a masters here and even find a grad job for a year or two before going back. If my heart isn't here with me, I'm not sure if I can do this.

Alternatively, I could take a Gap year, and practice hard for GMAT/GRE and apply to 1 of the 3 local unis (preferbly SMU). Man.. I just feel very clueless and confused. Trying to keep all options open at the moment.

1 Comments
 

Vel nisi ut qui dolor eligendi magni. Id esse cupiditate blanditiis illo. Odio repellendus rerum a non quaerat. Labore voluptatibus deserunt perferendis dignissimos delectus.

Voluptates possimus maxime sapiente possimus. Tenetur dolores tempora consequatur enim inventore velit ut reiciendis. Harum in perspiciatis optio aspernatur atque nostrum quos. Delectus provident ducimus dolorem ab mollitia.

Ut odio consequuntur fuga sed at. Nulla expedita cum ratione. Voluptatem ut vel eos doloribus est facere.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 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

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...”