CFA Vs. Applied Mathematics Degree at Open University?

Hello All,
So bit of background frist.
I have a job offer to start in the summer at a bulge bracket in the commodities department. A lot of people are talking about doing a CFA and it seems (in my eyes at least) to be wasted on people. The topics don't seem to translate massively to the real world. So i was thinking for the same effort i can get an applied mathematics degree from the open university. I already have a degree in computer science from one of the top 5 uni's in the world but i've always enjoyed applied mathematics and so i figure i'd get more from it.

I also figured it would help when i want to do an MBA or a Masters at Oxford, Cambridge etc.

Your opinions would be great. Thanks.

5 Comments
 

CFA > university for people who never went to real university / want an empty qualification

some guy i work with did a post grad degree there.he is exemplary in exactly zero fields / activities he participates in and has the fantastic talent of adding no quality to any conversation. his participation should not be a true indictment of the institution, but why tarnish a stellar record of education by going to an institution where middle management at Tescos go to 'boost' their career.

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

Thanks for the comment if the applied mathematics degree were to come from a better institution would it be worth it? My problem is i only really want to distance learn due to my obvious commitments to work. I have a 1st which i think translates to something close to a 4.0 but the main reason i'd do a CFA or a second degree is to get on a decent MBA course. Whilst i was doing my degree i spoke to a member of staff at Oxford and they said there wasn't enough quantitative material in my degree.

 
Best Response
skidlidThanks for the comment if the applied mathematics degree were to come from a better institution would it be worth it? My problem is i only really want to distance learn due to my obvious commitments to work. I have a 1st which i think translates to something close to a 4.0 but the main reason i'd do a CFA or a second degree is to get on a decent MBA course. Whilst i was doing my degree i spoke to a member of staff at Oxford and they said there wasn't enough quantitative material in my degree.
understood. the CFA program has been discussed ad nauseum. it does have some quant stuff. but you're not going to learn maths, a bit of stats yes but not maths (eg. basic intergration / differentiation). if you have time, do a summer course at LSE or something along those lines. don't go to the OU and don't over estimate or focus the requirements for an MBA too much et cetera.
"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 

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