Choosing an MPhil (ox,cam,lse)
Hi all,
I'm facing a bit of a conundrum and wanted to hear thoughts from ppl in the workforce about this. I've just wrapped up my undergrad at oxbridge and now need to chose between offers from Oxford, Cambridge and LSE for an mphil/masters' in economics (for the coming year). And frankly I'm a little puzzled.
I hear LSE has the best program academically and strong career outcomes, but since I don't particularly want to do a DPhil, and the career outcomes are also a big self-selection + environment thing, I'm not sure it'll be the best option (plus if there's a recruitment quota by school I imagine I'd be facing worse odds than at the other two). Oxford's MPhil is 2 years, so leaves opportunity for a penultimate year summer internship (+final year one where available if need be), in academia it is also better considered than Cambridge's MPhil to my understanding. Cambridge has the advantage of less competition for finance recruitment (before I get jumped for this, it's marginal, I know, yet it's true that a larger proportion of LSE students target finance) and a strong reputation in terms of quantitative skills prep (excellent econometrics department to my understanding and access to some unique buyside ops).
About career interests:
I am most interested in macro roles at HFs or in S&T. I will shoot for quant as well but the proportion of econ students who get in is very low (though interestingly a lot of these seem to come from Cambridge), so I'm not going to delude myself there. Tried IB for a summer and didn't love it, though in hindsight I think the main issue was that I really didn't click with my team and so may apply again this year.
I think that these being 1-year programs (LSE & Cam) means that I will have to target mostly grad roles, which I imagine will be brutal recruitment. That's why I want to make the right choice here and was hoping to hear from ppl with some experience/knowledge of the degrees.
Any help or advice goes a long way, and so, thank you!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a breakdown of your options and considerations:
LSE
Oxford
Cambridge
Recommendation
Given your interest in macro hedge funds, S&T, and potentially quant roles, Oxford's MPhil seems to offer the best balance of academic rigor, brand recognition, and practical opportunities (via internships). The two-year structure provides a critical advantage for securing internships, which are essential for breaking into competitive finance roles. However, if you prioritize a strong quantitative foundation and access to unique buyside opportunities, Cambridge could also be a compelling option.
Ultimately, your decision should align with your career goals and the type of environment where you feel you can thrive. If you're still uncertain, consider reaching out to alumni from each program to gain more insights into their experiences and outcomes.
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/uk-master-in-finance-advice?customgpt=1, European Master in Finance programmes (pre-experience), MSc Finance Profile Evaluation (LSE Finance, LBS Financial Analysis, Oxford Financial Economics), Msc Finance ranking Europe, Which masters to choose?
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