Imperial vs Others for Private Equity

Hello everyone, 

At the moment I am preparing to take the GRE in the next following weeks and I would like to ask for help regarding my Master's intake for 2025.

I already have an offer for Imperial's MSc in Finance & Accounting (rejected from the MSc in Finance mainly because I applied without the GMAT or GRE) - and I am applying for HEC and LBS after taking the GRE. 

Given that Imperial and LBS would be a stretch in terms of financing because of London prices, I have two main questions:

1 - Is Imperial going to provide a good ROI when it comes to landing interviews and positions after the Master's? Mainly focused in summer internships and off-cycles. Wouldn't say no to a full-time offer 

2 - Besides LBS and HEC which are known to have good placement are there other schools which you would consider to have good placement in my desired locations and industry sector (IE, ESADE, EDHEC, etc)

Additional info: 

I know Bocconi is also very good, however I would like to keep my degree under 2 years. 


Sector - Mainly interested in Private Equity, wouldn't mind doing IB before.

Location - Mainly focused in London, Paris and Germany (other countries would be okay given that I receive a good salary offer)

Languages spoken - Portuguese, Spanish and English + French intermediate 
 

Thank you!

12 Comments
 

Imperial is good if you study a STEM subject. For a business school course, it's not as good. That's why imo it's not worth pursuing a MSc in Finance or F&A at Imperial since the business school is recognised as a separate institution to the STEM side of things. 

You can try, though. However, it'll be much tougher to break in to PE vs HEC or LBS

 

If I don't get HEC or LBS which are the main target, would you say that IE, ESADE, EDHEC have an edge over Imperial?

 

If you're talking about IE, ESADE and EDHEC over Imperial Business School, yes. 

If you're talking about IE, ESADE and EDHEC over Imperial STEM, not in my view? It's subjective, though. The STEM side of Imperial is more rigorous and students are just sharper than the business school of Imperial. 

 

Hijacking as I'm in the same position as op and strongly considering going to imperial. Currently working in VC (ignore user title) at a really really shit shop with bad rep but decent dealflow after having graduated uni at a semi target/non-target here in the uk in 2024. I'm getting some off-cycle interviews now but only through networking, wondering if going back to school gives me a better shot at FO roles in the large banks by applying to summer analyst roles or if I should just keep trying to lateral in? Atp I feel very solid at interviewing but I'm not getting enough opportunities and I'm learning jack at my current place so I want to have a back-up plan to leave by September for a masters before spending another year of my life in this place. Am I jumping the gun to want to spend 40-50k on a masters despite having a job? or am I right in thinking my undergrad and current role are holding me back?

 

In my BB, target MiF programs are LSE, LBS, Imperial, HEC, and Bocconi. Then would come ESCP/ESSEC/RSM/IE. As said in other comments, having a Graduate Visa is now a very big advantage for London, especially for PE or PC off-cycles, given most funds just don't sponsor. Two of my Italian friends (non-target UG, big 4 exp) who went to LSE and Imperial F&A this year landed MF PE off-cycles for next July...

 

Quos alias aliquid velit quod. Quod aliquam consequatur eum nam qui quibusdam. Culpa enim nihil labore qui voluptates ut ut. Qui velit id necessitatibus maxime. Optio eos quos molestias possimus. Minus recusandae in dolores.

Nostrum ex eius quisquam architecto incidunt minus rerum. Perferendis tenetur ipsum consequatur quia. Odit dolore eveniet ullam. Id cupiditate voluptate iusto repudiandae quasi eveniet aut.

Ab omnis nulla eos quos voluptas. Odit deleniti omnis modi rem quia minima.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Bain Capital 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Private Equity

  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Ardian 98.9%
  • Blackstone Group 98.5%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.2%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (97) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (234) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (95) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (271) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (37) $80
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (351) $61
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”