Advise about the LBS MFA

Hi all, I have recently been accepted to the LBS MFA for 2026 however I’m doubting whether it’s really worth it and if I will enjoy my last year as a student. My other option would be the Masters in Finance and Investments at RSM.

Context: I’m a Dutch student with an undergrad in business administration at RSM and I have completed two internships in m&a and capital markets. I think it would be great for my career to get a few years of exposure in London before probably moving back to the Netherlands. 

I do understand that LBS is much more reputable than RSM for high finance and that the former will help me much more in securing a top offer. Besides the extremely high fees of LBS, I am worried about how my student life will be at LBS. I have spoken to a few students and from what I’ve heard, no one really cares about the classes and everyone is simply busy with applications, interviews, assessments, networking events, and other career related activities. It makes me wonder whether you really even enjoy the last year of you being a student. People always say your student years are the best years of your life and I feel like at LBS you will “waste” that on job applications and assessments. On the other hand, I feel like my student life at RSM might be more enjoyable and less pressuring. Also, the fact that I can do an exchange semester abroad really appeals to me. Lastly, RSM is way way way cheaper than LBS, not to mention also the way lower living expenses in NL compared to London.  

I am aware of the career prospects after LBS but is it still worth it in this job market? And with AI becoming widespread in jobs, is such a large investment for business school still justified? Is it really worth it to spend probably around EUR 90-100k (tuition + living expenses) on LBS? I reckon if I stay at RSM, this will be 20k. And how good will student life at LBS be? What do you guys think?

6 Comments
 

Rsm is not a target for london. LBS however will be seen well in Netherlands also on top of your rsm bachelor, if you decide to return. 

If you do land a decent role in London through LBS, I don't think you'll be worrying too much about your loan. 

 

RSM is strong in London despite not being a target. Being a LBS alumni should be enough to find a job in London or else go back to the Netherlands with a rock solid CV and ask for a higher salary than the rest (arguring you have debt to pay).

 

Rsm doesn't really directly place in London, for screenings its important to know that. Its placements are more so through experience in Netherlands. 

Abn/rabo (top employers of rsm grads) are decent to have on your CV however they don't carry the same weight compared to most german/french or even Italian banks. 

 

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