Is it possible for LSE MPA student to break into IB in the UK?
I'm an international student who finished undergrad at a low-tier Ivy League school and I'm currently enrolled in the University of Tokyo studying economic policy. I had an internship in ER at a BB in Japan before and I'm starting another internship in a BB's ER in APAC.
I literally hate most of my classes in UTokyo MPP, and I always want to go to somewhere else, via either transfer or dual degree. I've been accepted to LSE MSc Finance, LSE MPA, and Cambridge MPhil Finance.
I'm actually leaning toward LSE MPA but my college friend suggested that I look into the career trajectory of the program. Does the Master's program itself really matter much in UK investment bank recruiting, i.e. LSE MSc Finance strongly dominates LSE MPA? Or it is like US as well that at the undergrad level what you study doesn't really matter? My US friend told me that he thinks Finance masters in Europe have clearer career trajectory. Is it true that banks prefer hiring from Finance Masters instead of, say, MPA?
I reached out to an alum of my undergrad school who did LSE MSc Finance and she said she felt that the London's recruiting process seems to be more random. I'm just wondering if I still have a chance as a LSE MPA student to compete for banks' front office roles summer/full-time offers? Do I need much more additional effort like networking?
Hi bill238, the silence is deafening, sorry about that.... Any of the threads below helpful?
More suggestions...
Fingers crossed that one of those helps you.
bump...anyone?
Pretty hard to say because most people doing an MPA are probably not targeting IB whatsoever so it's impossible to say whether there are so few people (if any) in IB with MPAs because its a bad degree or because people don't apply. I'd lean towards the former though, degree subject at masters level matters. They expect you to know what you want by now.
Not sure on LSE's MPA ability to break into IB.
That being said, I have known ppl in the top US MPA programs (i.e. Harvard Kennedy / Columbia SIPA / Princeton , etc ) who moved into IB, ER and consulting roles after. Many times these roles have an int'l flair, econ macro or policy aspect to them.
Best of luck!
Thanks for your reply!!
interning at a top BB and can tell you that out of an intern class of 50-80, approx 10. or so interns are coming from US lower ivy leagues (columbia, brown, dartmouth, etc), with quite a few doing master's here in the UK (and not LBS/LSE MFA/MFin). take that fwiw
Thanks for sharing this info. Just wanted to follow up on the class profile of the interns. For students doing non-Finance Master’s in the U.K., is it easier for them to break into S&T and ER? In other words, at the Master’s level, would IBD prefer Finance student?
to be frank I think it's a complete crapshoot unless you're diversity and completely luck dependent. only get the opportunity to be in the luck-based process if you have an interesting profile that is differentiated or an absolute top profile. not sure on IBD
If you want to do this, take the path of least resistance. No point in going for the MPA if you are intending to break into IB. If you go to LSE, you will see the sheer number of international students trying to break into IB. A dime a dozen. I do see the value in the ER internships but why take the detour? The Cambridge MPhil Finance sounds exciting but I still think LSE MFIN is the obvious choice.
Just my two cents based on the very little I know about the UK recruiting cycles. If the process is as cutthroat as other markets, I would take the most linear path possible. Feel free to avoid the advice. Cheers!
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