Best MSc Finance for IB London Roles
Hey guys, here are some programs I'm considering, in mind the fact that I want to break into IB in London
- Bocconi MSc Finance (Internal Candidate)
- LSE MSc Finance
- LBS MFA
- Oxford MSc FE
- Imperial MSc Finance
- HEC MiF
Which one is best for breaking into IB in London? I know that Bocconi has an advantage in terms of the fact that it's a 2 year program, but is it really that big of a difference (such as trying to get a IB summer)? Is the extra year worth it (not monetary wise, but just the extra year in terms of recruitment) over the 1-year programs?
Is the ability to graduate and stay in the UK better on a graduate visa (and do Off-Cycles) better than Bocconi/HEC, especially for someone like me who's a non-EU/non-UK citizen, for breaking into IB? Or is the name (LSE, Oxford, Imperial) going to be more important if I don't end up breaking into London for IB and I decide to go back to Dubai and break into IB there?
Assume that I have a chance in getting in all of these programs - I just wanna know from a strict, which program is better for my career prospects.
Thanks in advance!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a breakdown of the MSc Finance programs you're considering for breaking into Investment Banking (IB) in London:
Top Tier Programs for IB in London
LBS MFA:
LSE MSc Finance:
Oxford MSc FE:
HEC MiF:
Imperial MSc Finance:
Bocconi MSc Finance:
Key Considerations for Your Situation
Recommendation
For breaking into IB in London, LBS MFA and LSE MSc Finance are the strongest options due to their career focus, placement records, and the UK graduate visa advantage. If you value academic prestige and global recognition, Oxford MSc FE is also an excellent choice. Bocconi and HEC are strong contenders but may be less advantageous for a non-EU/non-UK citizen targeting London IB roles.
Sources: European Masters Rankings, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/uk-master-in-finance-advice?customgpt=1, LBS vs UCL vs Imperial for IB, HEC Paris to IB at London?
All are solid solid tier 1 targets.
In my view, I'd rank LBS, HEC, Bocconi as the top 3. LSE slightly below followed by Imperial.
One thing to note is LBS is perhaps even more European (ironically) than HEC or Bocconi - not many British undergrad students go on to study there
Not sure where to put Oxbridge, obviously it's the most prestigious, but I personally don't view Oxbridge Masters as more finance-recruiting orientated as LBS, HEC, Bocconi or LSE. I always think of any Masters course at Oxbridge designed for people who didn't get over their rejection for undergrad.
If I had all offers I would group them like that:
Group 1: Oxford MFE, HEC MiF, LBS MFA
Group 2: Bocconi MFin, LSE MFin / MFinPE, HSG MBF
Group 3: Honestly not so much of a gap anymore... think of Imperial followed by SSE, ESCP & so on... as well as some second tier programs on the better schools, e.g. LSE ACCFIN
Yeh would drop LBS a tier as for the other two your almost guaranteed to land a top internship/off cycle would put Cambridge master in finance and economics in tier 1.5 with the mphil finance program they have
For non finance masters programs how much worse are they for recruiting than flagship MSc finance masters at top unis.
Ever since they tripled their class size, LBS MFA has become a joke of a program. Barriers to entry/acceptance rates are ridiculously easy, I know multiple people who got in with the equivalent of a 580 GMAT and average grades. I’m naturally biased as I went to HEC, but I think HEC, Bocconi and Oxford are in a league of their own. If you look at placement numbers for SA in London, its these three first followed by ESCP who is closing the gap quickly (sent 28/110 in top Summers last year).
Source: Asso at a top BB heavily involved in Summer recruiting (ignore title)
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