Please rank these UK courses based on suitability for IBD

Hello. If you were to rank the following courses in terms of probability of breaking into IBD assuming all other factors being equal (like what you would do when ranking American schools and/or grouping them into Targets, Semi-Targets and Non-targets), what order would you place them in?

-Oxford Philosophy, Politics, Economics
-LSE Economics
-LSE Management
-Warwick Economics
-LSE Economics and Government
-LSE Politics, Philosophy and Economics
-UCL Economics
-Warwick Economics, Politics and International Studies
-Warwick Philosophy, Politics and Economics

P.S. Please only use these courses (I know that there are other courses which would probably be better suited, such as Oxford E&M as opposed to PPE).

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you.

9 Comments
 

If you can get into PPE, you're pretty sorted, whatever you'd like to do....and since you're asking the question, sort of begs the question if you have the grey matter to get into PPE. Just sayin'.

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 
Best Response

There was no need to be cheeky. There are several reasons why I asked this question. One such reason is thAT I've read from multiple sources that LSE economics (straight econ) is actually better than Oxford PPE. Also, LSE's PPE course is completely new this year but it already has one of the highest entrance requirements in the university [A*AA] (so I am wondering where it would fall). Lastly, I was asking for a ranking, not which is the best (so even if Oxford PPE is the best, I still would like to know where the other courses fall), as you are given 5 options to apply to, not just 1.

 

Oxford PPE > LSE Econ related > UCL/Warwick Econ related > the rest.

Probably more LSE Econ in banking than Oxford PPE, but that's because students at LSE are that way inclined.

 

Well, LSE Econ definitely has more pedigree than LSE PPE, but recruiters will probably be vaguely interested by the fact that LSE now offers PPE.

LSE Management would go into 'the rest' category' simply because the course isn't rated that much. However, the LSE brand is strong, therefore the right student on the course can still make pretty special things happen.

 

So you don't think it would be a risk going for the LSE PPE course despite it being completely new (as it is a 4 year course, and it requires A*AA as opposed to something like Management, which requires AAB)? Also, do you think it matters whether one does Warwick PPE or straight econ (or even EPAIS)? Or is it a case where once the course is done at a certain school, it doesn't really matter what the course is?

 

Not really. The risk comes from the grades requirement and whether you'll actually enjoy the course at LSE. Recruiters will just see a very strong degree from LSE, regardless of whether it's been offered for 1 year or 100 years. Management seems fairly soft, I'd imagine the calibre on the course is weaker than on Econ and you're reliant on the brand name to give you a hand.

PPE is one of Warwick's top courses. having the extra subjects can even make you appear more dynamic than your ordinary Economics students. (UK recruiters are hot on diversity when recruiting, particularly for IBD)

Even non-related subjects at Warwick like Physics, Maths and Engineering will enable you to break in.

 

Numquam omnis sit sit blanditiis voluptatibus. Voluptas debitis est sint ut minus rerum iste eos. Qui aut voluptatem voluptatum consequatur.

Culpa veritatis vel voluptatum aut veniam officiis aliquam. Consectetur exercitationem expedita neque distinctio quisquam vel. Voluptate ratione aut eos dolorem impedit facere. Qui minus qui rerum. Qui nam aut aut quia reiciendis. Necessitatibus rem quae consectetur. Voluptas cumque tempore perspiciatis non consectetur.

Necessitatibus iste praesentium enim in nesciunt et. Iure officiis officiis hic impedit. Accusamus aspernatur eveniet quis unde et. Assumenda veritatis ut qui porro ut.

Nulla sit qui nisi sed nostrum eos et molestias. Facere quaerat autem consequuntur deleniti. Possimus ea repellendus voluptas quae voluptas. Atque harum doloremque ut. Deleniti dolore sit eum quo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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...”