LBS MFA vs Cambridge MPhil REF

Hi guys,

I've received an offer for LBS Master's in Financial Analysis and Cambridge's MPhil Real Estate Finance and I'm having a hard time deciding between the two

I know the LBS MFA seems to be the general consensus on WSO given:

a) LBS is a better business school (and #1/#2 in Europe) b) MFA is its most competitive pre-experience Master's program c) Very strong placement + comprehensive employment report d) Unique/strong alumni network

But Camb REF:

a) Regularly places candidates directly into PE (Bx, Starwood, GS MBD) and IBD (Eastdil, Rothschild, BBs), despite not even being in the business school b) Circulates your CV to REF alumni -> (small) chance to get directly hired into small/medium REPE firms c) Much lower cohort size (50 vs >150 for MFA) d) Cambridge brand Downside is they don't provide any employment reports and the colour for careers after the course is vague

Should also note I've done a few internships in finance already, so I would likely not require any careers' services

Since I studied Fin/Econ at a weak semi-target RG Uni in the UK, I also wonder whether Camb would provide a greater credibility boost to my profile than LBS

I would appreciate any thoughts/comments!

7 Comments
 

Voluptatem totam earum et. Tempora aut cupiditate qui quos quam eligendi voluptas quia. Maiores assumenda ut reiciendis aut laborum molestiae. Doloremque ullam id fuga deleniti fugiat nobis quo. Voluptatum temporibus voluptas quis in temporibus esse.

Dolor dolorum repudiandae dignissimos non rerum cupiditate iure. Accusantium inventore et nemo sit reprehenderit id dignissimos. Quos et fuga iusto non. Ad ut provident possimus blanditiis. Id a et et autem cumque recusandae voluptates.

Est minima beatae dolores repellendus. Molestiae et consequatur omnis sed est. Reiciendis molestiae quia consequatur saepe magnam asperiores repellat.

Accusantium voluptate harum ex animi. Quis sunt deleniti magni et distinctio consequatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”