Choice of Studies - breaking into finance abroad

Hello there,

I have done a lot of research regarding possible Masters programs since I am planning to move to Canada and break into Inv Banking (from GER) within the next years, but I am not too knowledgeable about the industry's perception of my "academic achievements" / goals in Canada.

 Currently, I am finishing my undergrad in a dual-study program (meaning it's an alternating on-site job at a bank and study phases at a university) and since these programs are very unknown to the industry in North America, I think it would be very helpful to add a Masters in Finance at a decent university. Right now I sit on a German GPA of 1,7 (at my university - that would be equal to 3.7, about 90% avg.), got a GMAT Focus score of 615 (Old 680) and passed L1 CFA last Nov - planning to continue the CFA journey ;)..

I would greatly appreciate any advice on good universities that might offer good Master in Finance degrees that might help me out to break into banking as a "foreigner". MBAs usually require years of work experience and since I would have "only worked for 1.5yrs while my studies, I think that's out of the picture anyways. Also, since some Canadian universities require years of work experience, require a four-year diploma (while German ones are usually 3yrs long) and since the overall distribution within Canada is pretty thin, I'd appreciate any advice on US universities, which are close to the Toronto area (such as University of Rochester..). Would it be reasonable to study in the US and then move on to Canada?

Thank you for any help - I greatly appreciate it!

All the best,

C.

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