Imperial MSc Finance & LBS MFA
Hi! I applied to both programs and I am confident I will get an offer. I’ve done a lot of research on both, only thing I’m missing is the social life at each program. How’s the social life in both programs? Is it easy to meet people? From other programs within the Business School? Party scene? Diversity within the cohort, only IB kids or also people that are looking into other careers (trading, fintech, consulting, etc)? Amount of studying? Day in the life? Typical personality within each cohort? Thanks!
Bump
LBS easy full stop. Never look back 2 different leagues...
I wouldn’t say they are different leagues but LBS has definitely an hedge over Imperial for IBD/PE, the thing is I’m also interested in trading & fintech and Imperial's program seems better suited for those. Anyone that was part of either programs has an opinion on this?
Current Imperial MFin here, with good friends at LBS MFA.
IB Placement
- Both programs are clear targets for London BB/EB provided you have previous work experience
- Would say LBS has a slight edge given 1. Extensive Alumni network (MFA, MiM, MBA) 2. Profiles who tend to have better previous work experience
Academic
- Imperial MFin is more rigorous and a mix between Markets Finance & Corporate Finance
- LBS MFA is 100% Corporate Finance and focused on practice
- Workload is still very light for both (15 hours/week), with little homework outside exam weeks (not comparable with Oxford MFE, for example)
Social Life
- Both have good locations (Regent's Park for LBS and South Kensington for Imperial)
- Imperial: top sports infrastructures (gym, swimming pool, five a side, squash, etc.), 300+ uni societies allowing to meet Undergrads, PhD and other Masters students (Marketing, Business Analytics, Management, etc.), Union Bar (very nice for cheap pints after school), Winter & Summer Balls
- LBS also has a very good social scene from what I have heard (e.g Open Bar every 2 weeks)
Typical Day at Imperial: 2*1h30 classes in the morning, then 1-2h group project or personal work, then depending on your interests: Sports / Networking Event / Pints at the Union Bar / Society Activity (poker, debating, investment, chess, etc.)
Cohort Diversity
- LBS MFA: 90% look for IB jobs
- Imperial MFin: Only 50-60% look for IB jobs, as many are interested in S&T, HF, Fintech or Consulting
Thanks! Can I pm you?
Yeah sure
This is a great insight! Thank you.
How would you throw LSE MSc Finance into this mix? Would you be able to elaborate on this programme too?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
:)
My say LSE is much better in every single aspect to Imperial with regards to Business and economics but most importantly reputation
The LSE MFin is also a top program, very similar to Imperial's, as it is also affiliated with a real university, unlike LBS.
When I attended the networking events organised by the major banks at the beginning of the year (September/October), they invited around 10 people from each UK Master's program (Oxford MFE, LBS MFA, LSE MFin, Imperial MFin). Same for my incoming summer EB cohort, which includes a mix of Imperial/LSE/LBS students, as well as some Warwick/Durham undergraduates.
Out of the 4 Master's programs, Oxford MFE is the most theory-oriented, followed by Imperial/LSE, then LBS.
I would say that overall Imperial is a better university (global top 10, more Nobel Prizes, etc.), while LSE is a top university within the economics/finance field.
Hi there,
I have been accepted the MSc Finance and Accounting programme at Imperial.
Would your comment above still stand for F&A? Or is it much of a step down from finance?
I have 1+ year internship experience across boutique IB and PE firms
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