I am entering my final year at a non-target university in the UK. I am aiming to apply to target universities for my MSc to improve my chances of securing an off-cycle or graduate role in IB, PE, or PC.
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Based on the most helpful WSO content, your profile—featuring a low first-class degree and two relevant internships—positions you as a competitive candidate for MSc programs at strong semi-target and target universities in the UK. Here's a breakdown of your options and considerations:
Target Universities
Strong Semi-Target Universities
Semi-Target Universities
GRE/GMAT Considerations
Additional Tips
Your profile is strong, and with a focused application strategy, you have realistic chances at both target and strong semi-target MSc programs.
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/rate-my-ukeu-msc-degree-options?customgpt=1, The Case for Choosing a Non-Target, Best Real Estate Msc program in UK/Europe, 2018 UK Target Uni - MSc - for FO jobs: put your POV, 2018 UK Target Uni - MSc - for FO jobs: put your POV
Hey,
GRE/GMAT is a requirement for any relevant masters course. So yes, I'd take it. Don't know GMAT scoring, but I scored 337/340 on my GRE and that indirectly helped a lot - universities use the GRE/GMAT to gauge your capabilities.
Secondly, lots of people in these target masters programs come from non-targets. It's essentially used as a rebrand. Don't stress in that regard, but yes do make sure you get that first class.
Lastly, assuming you're doing STEM/ECON/Finance adjacent degrees I'd aim for strictly LBS/LSE/Oxford/Imperial as those are the only strong targets at msc level. If you want some safety's, potentially look at Warwick or Bayes.
Thanks for the response. How would you rank these 4 programs, and is Cambridge MPhil Finance/Economics also a strong target? Also for LSE, Imperial, and Oxbridge you are allowed to apply to 2 courses, except for the flagship MSc finace/mfe courses which course should I put as a backup
LBS has the strongest career center. They do a lot for students like CV review from MBA students in the industry you are applying to.
But if you can manage that yourself then I think Oxford has the strongest brand. The academic is also a lot more taxing, whereas LBS deliberately makes you schedule easy/light the first 2-3 months of school and is less theoretical.
I have heard that the second and third semester becomes time consuming as you are doing 11 courses from January to May. But by then you should have your internship, so what you put into it is what you get out of it.
If anyone has attended any of these master courses can I send you a dm please to ask about them further?
Cambridge at masters level falls of greatly. You’ll just be banking on broader university pedigree. There’s no point going there if you’re serious about getting the upmost best possibilities.
If you want IB, at LSE & Imperial Finance and A&F apps. For LBS, both the MiM and MFA are good. Oxford is known for its MFE.
Thank you can I ask which programs you received offers from?
For UK: Oxford, LSE, LBS. Imo Imperial master is a tier below.
Europe: HEC, ESCP, Bocconi, HSG
Also how much worse are second-rate masters such as the LSE MSc Accounting and Finance or the LBS MIM or for example, let's say an Oxford econ-related master's instead of the Oxford MFE? If you choose a non-flagship master's program at a target school does your chance of landing a top role significantly decrease?
escp is not there you nuts???
Is ESCP good if you only speak English?
Also if anyone has graduated from any of these top master's programs or is currently attending one I would love to hear your experience .
I went to LBS MFA and would recommend 100%. The career services, alumni are strong. Followed by oxbridge and LSE.
I also frequently met with kids from European target schools like HEC, ESCP and Bocconi in my ACs. These are 2 year however so mainly depends if you don't have a solid profile and need a bit of CV padding with a few prior internships, then these are definitely worth it.
What level of banks and buy-side firms were you receiving interviews from and at what rate if you could give examples that would be great if you have to dm.
I couldn't put a precise number on my interview rate, but getting through the initial screening generally wasn't the main issue. In my experience, MMs were the easiest to clear, followed by BBs, with EBs being the most selective. Once I had the psychometric tests down, I was getting first rounds fairly consistently.
The bigger issue was afterwards, where I found some banks' interview processes very difficult. You're also competing with Europeans who often already have relevant experience from their home countries. If you're Italian, for instance, certain teams/processes at a bank like GS can be more accessible given the language and country-specific experience.
I found the same thing when it came to converting internships. European candidates generally had an easier time if they came in with previous relevant experience and the language skills for a particular team or market.
For context, I applied exclusively to classic IB analyst roles across BBs, EBs and MMs, no buy side.
Try the Canary Wharfian website, most advice here is US focussed
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