HEC MIF vs LBS MFA
Hi all,
I was hoping I could hear your thoughts and opinions on the better program choice (I was admitted to HEC MIF and LBS MFA) for my career.
I'm triple nationality (American and European). Got a finance undergraduate degree in Italy and some PE internships. My goal is to start my career in London in IB or PE, with my future goal of moving into the buy side somewhere in the UK/EU/US. However, I have no intention of working in France, at least in the short term.
I'm torn as to which program would be the best option for me.
From what I've gathered, both programs would give me the same chances of placing into an IB role in London right after graduating. Because of this, I'd like to better grasp the differences in the immediate short term, as well as the longer term.
More specifically in the short term, how would my program experience differ between the two over their 1 year durations? Which program is more rigorous/technical? Which gives you more time to network? What are the professors and students like? What is life on Campus like compared to London City?
As for the medium to long term, I'd like to know which alumni newtork would give me the better opportunities, and which is more highly regarded globally. I'm aware that HEC's is significantly larger, but does that justify it for being better?
One more thing to note is that I've been granted a partial scholarship from HEC, and have already paid the deposit. Consequently, I would like to know if what LBS brings to the table justifies the extra costs (I've seen that the cohort size has increased substantially, which is concerning).
Please let me know what you think, or anything else that can be necessary for an ultimate decision. Thanks
I am in the same situation. From what I hear LBS is less technical/less academic. I am very conflicted in terms of Uni vs Campus life, and also am unsure which has better chances to place in London, particularly when considering the Visa advantage that LBS gives students.
What did you end up doing?
Go to LBS the advantage of being in London is huge and considering the great career center they have (the best by far in europe)!
Every time you comment I have to double take and realize its you before remembering you're a ragebaiter
I swear it's a bot or something. You can see him on reddit too I think r/oldtemporary or something like that. Bro has no life
I used to think that the Visa advantage was a significant factor, but I've read elsewhere that banks will sponsor you with little friction. Especially if you come from HEC, where many of their analysts come from.
Yeah for large institutions it wont matter. I am also looking to apply to smaller HFs, where I think it might matter.
Oh, I see
Take HEC only if its HEC Montreal (Paris not worth it anymore, basically a commie city)
What if Paris is not my goal? Is HEC Paris still worth it?
lmao that was a joke haha. Not idea tbh
The advantage of LBS is that it’s a London based experience + no visa issue. For BBs visas will not be an issue, for middle market it is an issue.
Also LBS seems to have more alumni events in London.
The advantage of HEC is that it’s more affordable and more elite. LBS was also quite elite years ago but it has significantly increased their enrollments in recent years. Academics are more rigid (but not to the Oxford MFE level rigidity). Smaller class size means better resources allocated to each student.
I am from HEC Paris MIF and now working in a BB bank in London so it is definitely doable.
Because of the program being more elite and rigid, would you describe the people in class as being competitive? Also, can I ask you what life was like on campus?
2. It’s more affordable but the location is out of nowhere so a bit boring. London on the other hand is very expensive. There are frequent shuttle bus to Paris though.
Can I ask if you were a prepa or mim student, and later specialized in the mif? Or you did the mif 10 month program directly?
Also, how often do London based Banks or Funds come on campus to network/recruit?
HEC takes only 50 people per year. LBS 300+
I think that tells you about the quality of the cohort.
Being in London is an advantage yes, but sadly the best European MiF isn't in London but Paris.
What makes you say that HEC takes 50 students? The last MiF cohort was 212 students.
They actually take around 110. The other 100 are MIM students that select the finance track in their second year as well as students from a double degree that go for the capital markets track.
LBS if you care about being in charge of your career, networking, and building some practical skills + getting access to all top jobs
HEC if you want to be a bot and get access to most top jobs
What makes you say that? Cause HEC has a more rigorous curriculum and is located in a somewhat isolated environment as opposed to LBS? Or is there something I'm missing
Yes, precisely.
LBS has like 15 events every week around investing/tech/retail/whatever. Quality varies a lot but the point is that there's opportunity to constantly meet people and learn what you like/don't like. It's in London so it's easier for speakers to come to campus and engage with students often, and for you to reach out to people and just grab a coffee in mayfair/city/canary wharf with any bank/fund
Also, LBS has an MBA program (arguably the top program in Europe along with INSEAD) so you get to basically study with that cohort (with a lot of direct experience). Whereas HEC just has.. a bunch of hardo grads who've learnt more about finance from WSO than actually working in any industry.
Makes sense. Thanks. Did you go to LBS by chance?
2. Tech is very small sector in London with bad pay compared to US, retail salary will not sponsor you anyway. If you do finance these are irrelevant
Went to LBS and worked at a top BB and now work at a top PE fund. Can confirm interacting with MBA students is a plus, I got 2 referrals to leading banks because of that. Overall great experience for me but both programmes are great at my fund there’s equal representation from both schools. Can confirm academicslly it’s below other schools but if you want to work in IB what you should care is placement and career optionality
Wanted to point out that in a webinar LBS said that they now put a limit at 300 students, meaning the class size will not increase in the next years.
Both programs are elite, but please don't think HEC Mif is the flagship, HEC prepa is the flagship. Many HEC guys you see did prepa and went into BBs. For Mif it is harder, I know like 50 people at HEC so trust me on this. Still a great program and you will place great.
I also believe that the median quality of the cohort is superior at HEC but that the extreme profiles are better at LBS because of its reputation worldwide and its localisation. Just find the good people.
If you come with relevant exp you should be fine either way.
Visa should not be considered you will be sponsored.
Best program for networking is LBS by far, you are in London and you have the best MBA in Europe (alongside Insead).
More rigorous one is probably HEC but students cheat at all the exams so dont bother ;)
To conclude, HEC is cheaper, both will open you the same doors, if you are good then just choose the one you think you will enjoy most. If finances are an issue then choose HEC. Congrats on both you can be proud.
Thank you for the detailed and kind response. You say LBS is superior when it comes to networking given its location. When it comes to alumni network, would you say HEC's (80 000 alumni) is on par or greater than LBS'? Especially in in the long term?
Necessitatibus voluptas deserunt maiores. Facere maxime modi corrupti sint. In a qui sapiente nihil et.
Aut est itaque omnis vel consequuntur quo consequuntur. Repellendus deserunt non consequatur unde sunt dolores quia. Officia et temporibus sunt non nostrum rerum reiciendis.
Odit occaecati voluptatum voluptatem consequuntur. Cum animi ea blanditiis totam. Corrupti voluptatum aut molestiae natus et consectetur. Molestiae modi qui ab autem molestias nam. Ad aliquid impedit a laudantium assumenda adipisci.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Voluptatem facere et voluptatem qui. Optio quis maxime sit. Fuga dolores quia recusandae fugiat. Laudantium cupiditate non voluptatem soluta. Est et magni maxime.
Accusamus consectetur nulla amet nemo aut pariatur saepe. Provident laboriosam laudantium repellendus sit. Quibusdam beatae quod et quod ipsam ipsam veritatis magnam.
Corrupti eos optio non dolor rerum. Velit ea maiores enim enim sed eum dolores.
Et consequatur explicabo praesentium consequuntur quibusdam qui nesciunt. Praesentium non laudantium temporibus ipsum provident nemo. Sapiente numquam eos qui rem qui itaque dolor cupiditate. Qui dignissimos non alias sit sapiente ut similique. Ut sit quae iure adipisci quia. Atque beatae est natus est culpa ea tempora. Dolores magnam non adipisci rerum magni.