Oxford vs. UChicago (UK vs. US) for IB?

Hey guys, I was accepted to UChicago (potential Econ major) and Oxford for PPE (I've already met the conditions of my offer). I'm an international student with no real preference of where I end up (UK, US, or even HK or SG). I plan to go into IB, but have no real knowledge about the recruiting environment at these places (and in the UK and the US as a whole).

Some factors I was considering (and would appreciate some inputs on):
* Cost - not a major concern, but Oxford is approx. $100k cheaper than UChicago.
* Brexit?
* Work visa sponsorships for internationals in the UK and the US.
* MBA opportunities - I aspire to end up at an M7 MBA in the US.

Would love to hear your opinions. Thanks!

 

Can't speak for the US but I think you raised few fair points:

Cost - Oxford will be much cheaper than UChicago - as you should aslo consider COL etc. Brexit - from what I see brexit mainly impacts the S&T side of things not the IB side of things so you should be fine in this regards. Visas - Most firms sponsor in the UK - from Oxford I have seen kids go to SG (a friend of mine is at GS) and to HK too, they will sponsor visas too. MBA opps - both should give you the same opps - although Oxford may carry a better name if you were to go back to Asia (I guess).

 

Confused for a hot second. I took this thread to be a discussion of Saïd versus Booth and was dumbfounded by some of these responses. Oxford for me although I do not believe it's as strong a case as other members are suggesting.

The UChicago network runs deep in finance. Globally.

 
 
Most Helpful

My biggest consideration is that US IBD visa sponsorship for international undergrad students is totally messed up. 10 years ago I would have said UChicago to NYC IBD. Right now, however, you have a far smaller selection of willing US firms than meets the eye, and firms that don't sponsor aren't allowed to tell prospective students. Then you have our lottery system which doesn't care if you are a banker or basket weaver. A total mess.

UK/Euro IBD is a totally different story and Oxford will get you in the door to a London IBD job and on the path to later permanent residency if desired. UK immi system is points-based: UK Five Tier Points based system

In Asia (HK / SG / etc) Oxford will be more respected, as they are former British territories and in general Cambridge/Oxford name goes farther. Not trying to take anything away from Chicago as it's an unbelievably amazing finance and economics school, it just doesn't quite have the same layman name brand.

Be excellent to each other, and party on, dudes.
 

I have visited both schools when I was looking into grad schools; I personally found Oxford the better choice by far compared to many other schools. The surrounding area is also nice and not too expensive (IMO if you look into decent neighborhoods and quality apartments in Chicago there won't be a masssive difference).

Oxford has also a great reputation across Europe, not just in the UK. So even if you don't find the dream job you can also interview in other countries (it is easier to get a visa in EU countries than in the US).

The only other aspect I would still have in mind in Chicago would be the physical proximity to the Canadian job market; if you interview in Canada and get a job offer it would AFAIK get you 600 points for Express Entry - on top of your other points. So that is another avenue - Canada is quite an interesting country if you are OK with cold weather for a few months.

 

Nesciunt quam quas nisi fugiat velit. Dignissimos qui non iusto qui dolore. Architecto ab velit laudantium enim quidem deserunt. Quo harum velit non totam. Odio incidunt id autem animi praesentium vel est. Perferendis est delectus soluta odio iste quo asperiores. Aut non odio in quae.

Sequi harum quaerat consequuntur non sint eos sit ad. Totam enim recusandae inventore quisquam omnis. Eveniet culpa molestias aut aut unde vero.

Amet soluta sed repudiandae facere debitis numquam. Aliquid in voluptas quo rem qui hic. Eaque voluptatem voluptatem qui fuga perspiciatis eius ea aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”