Language requirements in Europe

Hello!

I am looking to apply to LSE for the academic year 2026-2027 before the beginning of my mandatory Finnish military service next January. My goal is to land an investment banking job in London. If I can't make it to LSE, I will be attending Aalto university (the most prestigious business school in Finland), where I have a guaranteed place.

In addition to LSE, I have also been considering Bocconi, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, St. Gallen and SSE, mainly due to much lower tuition fees compared to LSE. I am, however, concerned about the language requirements in recruiting in these countries (Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Sweden). If I'm unable to find a job locally in finance during and after university, I think it will be much harder to eventually transfer to London. On the contrary, in Finland I know the language, I have established networks and I'm familiar with the most typical paths to a financial career starting from Aalto.

If I don't get to LSE, I will apply for a masters degree in one of the target universities in the UK after completing a bachelor's degree from Aalto.

So, in the case I don't receive an offer from LSE, do you guys think I should start my career in Finland and then work my way to London, or go for the EU schools mentioned and try to proceed from there?

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