ICADE vs RSM for Investment Banking in London
Hi everyone,
I’m a 17-year-old student finishing high school in Madrid, Spain, and I’m currently deciding between two undergraduate options:
* ICADE E-3 (BBA + Law) — 5 years, in Madrid
* RSM International Business Administration (IBA) — 3 years, in Rotterdam
My long-term goal is specifically Investment Banking in London, ideally at a large international bank (JPM, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, etc.).
My main question is: which of these two universities would put me in a stronger position for IB recruiting in London?
I’m particularly interested in the perspective of people who have actually recruited for London IB or have gone through the process themselves.
The trade-off I’m trying to understand is:
* RSM is a very international business school, the degree is entirely in English, and the bachelor is only 3 years, meaning I would potentially enter the job market two years earlier or have those two years available for further study.
* ICADE is a well-known Spanish target/semi-target with a strong presence in Spain, and I’m wondering whether being a Spanish student at ICADE could give me a meaningful advantage through its alumni network and connections between Spain and London.
I’m not asking which university is better overall. I’m specifically interested in how the two compare when the end goal is getting into Investment Banking in London.
A few things I’d particularly like to know:
1. How is RSM perceived by London IB recruiters compared with ICADE?
2. Would RSM’s international profile materially improve my chances of getting London interviews?
3. Does ICADE’s Spanish alumni network/brand provide any meaningful advantage for recruiting into London?
4. Would doing a 3-year degree at RSM and potentially using the extra two years for a Master’s be strategically better than spending five years at ICADE?
5. If you were in my position and the only objective was IB in London, which route would you consider more strategically advantageous, and why?
Would especially appreciate answers from people who have recruited for or worked in London IB, rather than general university rankings.
Thanks!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's a breakdown of your options:
Perception of RSM vs. ICADE by London IB recruiters:
RSM’s international profile and London interviews:
ICADE’s Spanish alumni network/brand for London recruiting:
3-year RSM degree + Master’s vs. 5-year ICADE program:
Strategic recommendation for IB in London:
Final Thoughts:
If London IB is your ultimate goal, RSM combined with a Master’s at a UK target would likely maximize your chances.
Sources: RSM or SSE (Master's in Finance in Continental Europe on budget), https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/school/uk-master-in-finance-advice?customgpt=1, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/investment-banking-in-the-uk-an-overview?customgpt=1, UK Target Universities Discussion Thread, Intro to Investment Banking
RSM IBA way more recognized and better!
Thanks for taking time to help me!
How good is RSM for IB London? And how big is the RSM alumni network in the sector?
Yes there are many just check Linkedin!
If you're Spanish go to ICADE. RSM is not enough of a target in London that you go there vs staying in your own country. If it was St gallen or bocconi then it's a different topic
I don’t want to work in Spain, not even a day. So this is why I thought about RSM because it’s 3 years (vs 5 ICADE) and after graduating I can do a MiF like Bocconi with the money saved (RSM≈55k vs ICADE≈92k)
Yeah 5 years is long. If you can get two different brands why not. I'd just look at getting as much experience as possible. Don't go into a master without any experience.
Absolute idiot comment. Bocconi now is useless now that you cannot get London with a continental bachelor degree. HSG is only useful if you speak German. Not to mention opportunities in english in Italy or Switzerland vs Netherlands and post study visa/passeport attainement!
Nope there's still placements from European bachelors directly. Strong students from bocconi haven't stopped getting summers. Most BBs/EBs and even MMs sponsor visas. Same for full time roles. It's never been an issue for large banks.
girl u been asking this for last 12 months
ICADE.
Neither alone is enough for London IB, it's the quality of internships you do during that counts. Being Spanish and going to a Spanish target you'll have much higher chances of getting into boutiques in Madrid like Alantra or MM like santander and then applying for London summers in penultimate year.
What about doing RSM that is 3 years (vs 5 ICADE) and after graduating (and with the money saved) doing a MiF like Bocconi?
Yes that is a much better plan than 5 years at ICADE And you get two schools/network!
I attended IBA at RSM, and am currently trying to break into London IB. First of all, the level of education is (mostly) very poor, and doesn’t prepare you for IB almost at all except for the basic finance concepts you’d learn at any school.
Second, the career centre is nonexistent - dont think you’ll get any help with navigating recruitment.
The RSM brand is somewhat known in London, but not enough to pull you in. You’d need strong internship experience from satellite offices or the dutch banks. Only basically ABN and Rabo take non-dutch speakers, and interns are master’s level, so I don’t think it’s likely you could do those during IBA.
Lastly, the school is going through some cost-cutting and financial renovation, so expect to see further drop in quality over the years. It keeps getting worse and worse.
Tbh I dont know about the other school but I’d avoid RSM.
What a punk... putting his own failure on behalf of the school. What a disgrace... if I can have one advice pull out your selves and work to make it. If you complain or cry like this you won't only not make it in London but also in life!
I’m actually doing quite well for myself at the moment, thank you.
You seem to be under nearly every RSM-related post getting personally offended whenever someone criticises the school. For someone giving strangers life advice about “making it,” you seem remarkably invested in defending your university on WSO. It comes across a lot more like insecurity about your own life and choices.
Anyway, enjoy your day.
Rerum autem soluta et. Illum et sit repudiandae mollitia sit quam.
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