UCL MSc Finance vs Bayes MSc Corporate Finance for London IB

Trying to decide between UCL MSc Finance and Bayes MSc Corporate Finance.
For London investment banking recruiting, which programme is viewed more favourably by banks and why?
Would appreciate insights from analysts, associates, or anyone familiar with UK recruiting.

2 Comments
 

For London investment banking recruiting, UCL MSc Finance is generally viewed more favorably compared to Bayes MSc Corporate Finance. Here's why:

  1. Target School Status: UCL is often considered a semi-target or target school for investment banking in the UK, especially for front-office roles in London. Its MSc Finance program benefits from UCL's strong academic reputation and global brand recognition.

  2. Program Prestige: UCL's MSc Finance is well-regarded for its rigorous curriculum and alignment with the technical skills required in investment banking. This makes it a strong choice for candidates aiming to break into the industry.

  3. Alumni Network: UCL has a broader and more established alumni network in investment banking, which can be a significant advantage during recruiting.

  4. Recruiter Perception: While Bayes (formerly Cass) has a solid reputation in finance, particularly for its MSc Corporate Finance program, it is often seen as slightly less prestigious than UCL. Bayes is more commonly associated with middle-office or corporate finance roles rather than front-office investment banking.

  5. Placement Records: UCL MSc Finance graduates have a track record of securing roles at top-tier investment banks, including bulge bracket firms, which reinforces its reputation as a strong feeder program for the industry.

If your primary goal is to secure a front-office investment banking role in London, UCL MSc Finance would likely provide better opportunities due to its stronger brand, network, and placement outcomes. However, Bayes MSc Corporate Finance could still be a good option if you have a specific interest in corporate finance or if you can leverage its connections effectively.

Sources: LBS vs UCL vs Imperial for IB, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/uk-master-in-finance-advice?customgpt=1, Msc Finance ranking Europe, 2018 UK Target Uni - MSc - for FO jobs: put your POV

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Officiis qui sit facere quia. Voluptatibus explicabo id qui qui. Porro aut qui rem libero distinctio quas nemo iure. Quis qui quis eius quas voluptatem facilis.

Itaque itaque aut pariatur harum impedit. Consequatur excepturi odit saepe. Hic fugiat eos voluptas dolorem.

Et iusto quia tempora in optio. Eos consectetur beatae autem et laudantium. Eius quidem earum vero consequatur non perspiciatis ea. Mollitia consectetur exercitationem iusto dolor impedit rerum. Modi ut debitis ut ipsam nihil.

Aut aperiam commodi minima id dolor rerum itaque. Et non at sed. Ad non atque quis quia dolorem minima. Expedita ipsum laborum quo qui.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”