HELP me decide - UK offers (BAD cycle, FT vs. Msc vs. Off-Cycles)
Background:
Final Year - Strong Semi Target Uni UK, Humanities Degree, 2.1
Exp: 2x LMM IB internships (no-name shops), 1x ER internship (small bank), 1x AM internship (tier 2/3, foreign office), 1x Corp Dev/M&A internship (rollup)
Alright guys recruiting absolutely sucked for me this cycle lol. Goal was IB but also applied to a variety of roles across ER, AM, PE and Markets.
Got to 4 AC/Final Rounds, 2 for MM IB, 1 MM PE and 1 Tier 1 AM. First MM IB I did well but they told me after they wanted someone with a more finance/STEM background, other MM IB they gave the offer to a family connect (confirmed by my reference, guy was qualified tho). MM PE went well but they wanted someone with more actual PE exp & no idea what happened for the AM AC.
Now in a dilemma as to what to do. Have some offers for some non-IB/high finance related roles, also weighing the pursuit of Msc programs but am really not trying to drop 45k GBP if I don’t have to. Also a bit on the older end as I took a gap year before entering uni so feeling some pressure. Here are my current offers:
Business Development (tech sales) at big startup ($1B+ valuation), 45-55k GBP all in
Risk (Middle Office) Rotational Programme at tier 3-4 bank (think MUFG/Santander/Credit Agricole/Scotia etc), don’t have comp details yet (got offer recently) but likely 35-45k GBP all in
Buyside M&A Analyst position at small advisory shop in my home country (Australia/NZ/Canada, primarily sourcing/little modeling/some DD & pitch work), 40-55k GBP all in
- Research Analyst at a v. small but elite executive search firm (v. strong in specific asset class, don’t want to give away for anon purposes). Job is not on the recruiting side but instead market research for their sector, think general sector coverage, trends etc. 50-60k GBP all in
Not ideal offers ik, but it's what i'm working with atm.
Haven’t had luck yet with any off-cycles, but ofc still applying to see if anything sticks. Then I’m applying to Msc Finance/MiM programs in the UK, EU and some in Asia (wouldn’t mind working in HK due to family ties). Eyeing Imperial (F/A+F), LSE (F/A+F), LBS (both MiM/MFA) in UK (Oxford MFE unlikely due to not having 1st/non-STEM), also looking at EU target schools that are still open and have a full ride to a top Asian/Chinese target Msc Finance (HKU/HKUST/Fudan/Tsinghua etc).
ALSO I am considering LSE’s part time Msc Finacne which is the same degree but over 2 years and working FT in one of the roles above whilst studying, and actively re-recruiting at the same time during that 2-yr period for SA/OC/FT roles. Idea here being minimizing the financial burden of doing an expensive Msc while yielding he recruiting benefit.
So I guess I have 3 options:
Take one of the offers (NEED help deciding what is best for my goals) and try to a) lateral to a better role after a year or b) apply to Msc programs after a year
Do a Msc Finance/MiM at a UK/EU target school as listed above, also have the Asian option if I think I can recruit into HK out of it
Work one of the offers I have and do LSE’s part-time Msc Finance (assuming I get in, its somewhat less competitive to get in vs. regular FT course) and recruit whilst working
- Spend the year applying to off-cycles and see what I get. If nothing, consider the year a wash and work some random job to pay the bills while I wait a year to apply to Msc Finance programs. If it works out, obv try to convert whatever I can land (IB or otherwise)
TL;DR:
- Background: Final-year humanities student, semi-target UK (2.1). Exp: IB (LMM) 2x, ER, AM, Corp Dev/M&A. Struggled with IB/finance recruiting this cycle despite reaching 4 ACs.
- Current Offers:
- Tech Sales (Biz Dev) – £45-55k (big $1B startup)
- Risk (MO) Rotational – £35-45k (T3-4 bank)
- Buyside M&A Analyst – £40-55k (small advisory, sourcing-heavy)
- Sector Research Analyst @ Exec Search – £50-60k (elite but small, market research focus & nothing to do with the recruiting side of the business)
- Options:
- Take one of the offers → lateral after a year or apply for MFin/MiM.
- Go for a full-time MFin/MiM (UK/EU targets + top Asian/Chinese options).
- Work + do LSE Part-Time MSc Finance to recruit while minimizing costs.
- Spend a year applying to off-cycles → if nothing, apply for MFin next year.
do some of those UK MSc's not require quantitative UG? imperial & LSE namely
Imperial Msc F does require quantitative UG, but takes humanities kids in the A + F. LSE takes humanities in both F and F & A, but holds a similar sentiment where most non-quant backgrounds get filtered into the F + A. The part time F program takes a more diverse cohort as well. Got this info from both admissions departments & alumni from both programs. LBS MiM takes everyone, MFA a bit more touchy on degree but occasionally takes kids with non quant background. This are all from my source(s), so interesting to hear if someone else has a different perspective.
Didn't know that re A+F. Best of luck, am in similar boat myself
For LSE, each department has their own selection process so there is no "filtered into" really. It's essentially the department of your first choice looks at your application and if they reject you, you get considered by the 2nd department afterward (can take 3 months overall given you have to be rejected to be considered for the other)
Bump
Was in a similar position last year (semi-target undergrad, 1 LMM IB internship) and had a very hard time to decide. Went Imperial F&A and landed summer at a BB, then early start. I think first 2 options are the best (i.e LMM IB then lateral or FT MSc at UK/EU target). Would avoid part-time Masters as less suitable for recruiting.
When you say started early you mean SA post MSc, then they let you start FT in September?
exactly
How do you recruit for SA as a masters student?
it's very common in Europe, most banks accept final year applicants. For the only banks that don't accept, you can simply say it's a 2-year master, which isn't theoretically false given you'll effectively graduate in Q1-27 if you start your MSc in Sep-25
Thanks for this - did you find that the F&A program had similar career outcomes to the flagship F program? Honestly the F&A looks solid and would strongly consider if admitted but wondering if its a tier below in terms of career outcomes in M&A/IB etc vs. the F program.
For IB/PE I'd say the 2 are really equivalent in terms of placement. The MFin program would just open more doors on the Markets side.
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Dear respected member of this magnificent community,
I would like to inform you that humanities is NOT a real degree. During my long (succesfull) career in this industry, I have refused to hire anyone with this degree, as i commonly perceive these applicants as having room temperature IQ. However, you seem like a very intellegent young boy, and any firm is lucky to have you as a secretary, or a nice janitor with substance.
worst,
good luck! I believe in you!
mkrankur
So law isn't a real degree? Lol or did a History major take your spot in recruiting this yr
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