Best Program for Fintech/IB in Canada: UBC vs Waterloo vs Western

As a rising junior in high school who's trying to break into IB or Fintech in the States from Canada but doesn't want to do an only business degree, is the UBC BUCS program a good choice?

Or would a Western Ivey + CS/ Waterloo CS + BBA degree be better.

I personally think UBC has the most balanced programs in terms of prestige as they have a good CS program and a decent business program.

Compared to Waterloo whose mainly known for CS and Ivey whose mainly known for business.

Any Advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

2 Comments

WSO Monkey Bot

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For breaking into Investment Banking (IB) or Fintech in the States from Canada, here's a breakdown based on the most helpful WSO content:

1. UBC BUCS Program

Pros: UBC's BUCS program offers a balanced mix of Computer Science and Business, which aligns well with Fintech aspirations. The Sauder School of Business has a notable presence in the Asia-Pacific region and occasionally sends students to top firms like Goldman Sachs in S&T roles. The Portfolio Management Foundation (PMF) program at UBC is highly competitive and provides guaranteed internships at top firms, mentorship, and networking opportunities with alumni.
Cons: UBC is not considered a core target for Wall Street or Bay Street. While the BUCS program is strong, its alumni network and placement in IB roles are not as robust as Western Ivey or Waterloo.

2. Western Ivey + CS

Pros: Western Ivey is one of the top target schools in Canada for IB. The Honours Business Administration (HBA) program has a strong alumni network and excellent placement on both Wall Street and Bay Street. Pairing Ivey with a Computer Science degree would give you a competitive edge for Fintech roles, combining technical and business expertise.
Cons: The dual degree can be demanding, and Ivey's strength lies more in business than technical fields like CS.

3. Waterloo CS + BBA

Pros: Waterloo is renowned for its Computer Science program and co-op opportunities, which are highly valued in the tech and Fintech industries. Pairing it with a BBA (likely through Laurier) provides a solid foundation in business, making this combination ideal for Fintech.
Cons: Waterloo is not a target school for IB, and its alumni network in finance is not as strong as Western Ivey's. Placement into IB roles would be more challenging compared to Ivey.

Recommendation

If your primary goal is Investment Banking, Western Ivey + CS is the best choice due to its strong alumni network, target school status, and proven placement record in IB.
If you're leaning more towards Fintech, Waterloo CS + BBA would be a better fit because of its technical focus and co-op opportunities.
UBC BUCS is a good middle-ground option but may not provide the same level of access to IB or Fintech opportunities in the States compared to the other two options.

Ultimately, your decision should align with your career priorities and willingness to handle the academic rigor of dual-degree programs.

Sources: Here are the Target Undergraduate Schools in Canada, Here are the Target Undergraduate Schools in Canada

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