LSE Msc Finance placing much weaker than always propagated?
Hey,
currently in the process of applying to master programs. WSO has a clear ranking established with the UK universities ranking in the highest tier. However, after employing a research on LinkedIn it was extremely hard for me to find even one candidate in the Msc Finance who went to a top BB IBD or had at least a summer analyst gig at a top IBD BB/EB. I found a few non IBD roles such as wealth management but other than that the placing seems very weak.
What I've realized is that the continental programs, mainly HEC and Bocconi but also HSG and SSE place very well at BB's. However, a good chunk of the placement is at the respective localities such as Paris or Frankfurt.
Would it be the safest bet for a German speaker to study at the HSG? I feel like with a degree from the HSG it is much easier to break into IBD in Zurich or FFM as it is with a masters degree from the LSE in LDN as the competition there with all the undergrads from basically whole of Europe is so intense.
What do you think?
Well, IB recruitment is still quite competitive. Even at a full target like LSE, only a portion gets the job because all the other targets and some semi-targets have to be represented. If I were you I would view a target MSc like an opportunity to interview at these firms, it's not necessarily likely that a target will get the job he desires. Definitely WAY more likely than non-target or even semi-target, but you still have to work for it and be lucky.
In my opinion continental programmes like Bocconi and HEC are very well represented only because banks basically funnel 95% of their Italian and French recruitment from these schools. Obviously if you only want to work in Zurich, HSG is probably your best bet as it is the most familiar target in Switzerland and also very familiar in the DACH area. If you want to work in London, regardless of your nationality, I would say that LSE is your best bet. If you want to keep both options open, LSE is still the best choice as I'm sure it is well regarded also in Zurich.
I'd also add that placing into top BB's is like a raffle in London. Target MSc's only guarantee you a chance of an interview, nothing more.
You'd be better off assessing programmes based on total placement into IBD roles at any half decent firm. It's extremely competitive and ending up in any reputable firm is an achievement.
Definitely agree. Letting go of certainty and understanding that it's a numbers game was very helpful to me when I was attending one of these MSc programmes.
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