australian student undergrad recommendations??

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and recommendations for an Australian student looking to break into European investment banking (IB):

Schools to Consider:

1. Bocconi University (Italy)

   • Reputation: Highly regarded in Europe, especially for finance and economics.
   • Opportunities: Strong placement in European financial hubs like London.
   • Pros: International recognition, strong alumni network, and good placement rates.
   • Cons: Competitive environment, and you might need to learn some Italian for daily life.

2. Rotterdam School of Management (RSM, Netherlands)

   • Reputation: Well-regarded, especially in the Netherlands and broader Europe.
   • Opportunities: Good placement in European IB roles, though slightly behind Bocconi.
   • Pros: Strong business programs, good international exposure.
   • Cons: Less prestigious than Bocconi but still a solid choice.

3. University of St. Gallen (HSG, Switzerland)

   • Reputation: Excellent in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
   • Opportunities: Strong placement in Switzerland and Germany.
   • Pros: High-quality education, strong regional reputation.
   • Cons: Language barrier (need to learn German), placements mostly in DACH region.

4. University of Melbourne (Australia)

   • Reputation: Prestigious within Australia and recognized internationally.
   • Opportunities: Good for local opportunities, but might require additional networking for European IB roles.
   • Pros: Familiar environment, strong local network.
   • Cons: Less direct access to European IB roles compared to European schools.

Recommendations:

• If your goal is to work in Europe, attending a European school like Bocconi or RSM would provide better networking opportunities and a stronger foothold in the European job market.
• Bocconi is particularly strong for finance and has a good track record of placing graduates in top IB roles in London and other European financial centers.
• RSM is also a solid choice, offering good international exposure and opportunities, though it might be slightly less prestigious than Bocconi.
• HSG is excellent if you are specifically interested in the DACH region, but the language barrier could be a significant challenge.

Postgraduate Considerations:

• Attending a top European school for undergrad can set you up well for postgraduate studies at top institutions like Oxbridge, LBS, or top US schools.
• European schools like Bocconi and RSM have strong reputations that can help in securing spots in prestigious postgraduate programs.

Conclusion:

• Going abroad for your undergraduate studies, especially to a school like Bocconi or RSM, would likely provide better opportunities and networking for a career in European IB.
• Staying in Australia is a viable option, but you might need to work harder on networking and possibly consider a postgraduate degree in Europe or the US to break into the European IB market.

Feel free to ask more specific questions or for further details on any of these points!

Sources: Msc Finance ranking Europe, RSM or SSE (Master's in Finance in Continental Europe on budget), European Master in Finance programmes (pre-experience), Bocconi vs. Warwick, Bocconi AFC vs ESCP MiM