LSE MSc Finance vs LBS MFA - which do I choose?

Hi all,

So essentially I've received offers for both of the above-mentioned programmes but I'm unsure which one to take. The goal after graduating would be to work in IBD in London.

Obviously please do correct me if I have the wrong idea, but the way I currently see it:

LSE Pros: More academic, Better global brand name 

LSE Cons: More academic (maybe less time to focus on interviews), Potentially worse student experience?, Placement isn't as good as it used to be

LBS Pros: Placement & student experience seems better (but this might be the way they market it), Seems to have a better careers department, Opportunities for trips/ exchange programmes 

LBS Cons: Potentially less well known?, Degree is newer/ less prestigious and arguably wont get the same academic education 

Leaning towards LSE atm but would be great to hear your thoughts as LBS seems to be growing on me 

23 Comments
 

Can you qualify that assertion? What exactly does unmatched relative to the LSE mean? Would be very helpful, cheers.

 

OP here - I think I just meant that more people will have heard of LSE/ know the prestige of LSE. Outside of the Finance/ Consulting industry, LSE's brand is surely far more well known? 

Obviously that type of prestige isn't my biggest concern, so would you be able to expand on your point about placement, it'd be really helpful? Would you say that LBS places much more heavily within IB (especially for the degrees mentioned above)?

 

Yes, LBS places great into IB. It is one of probably 2-3 best post-grad Unis you can attend including HEC Paris and maybe one other. I guarantee you if your a UK student with any bit of experience, you won’t struggle to get a position and one IB or another.

 

I am facing the same situation, as I need to choose between the two programs.

Have you taken your final decision?

What were the reasons behind your choice?

 

That's probably the issue I'm unsure about. I enjoyed my undergraduate academic education to an extent, but you could say that I've got a bit tired of it towards the end.  At the same time, I haven't done a business-type degree I don't know what to expect from a business school education. 

If career opportunities are equal, I'd probably lean towards LSE 

 

Do you think that for someone interested in PE in the medium term (after 2/3 years of IBD), the MSc in Finance and Private Equity of LSE may add some tangible value? Or do you believe that it is better to have access to the LBS’s and the MFA’s network to pursue this career?

Thanks for your help

 
Most Helpful

your overthinking course choice a bit too much I think. Both courses will give you an incredible opportunity in both PE and IBD however neither will spoon-feed you in to a top position which it seems like many are looking for.

 

I'm in the exact same position as OP with offers from both programs. However, I'm a US resident and will be working in New York in the future, which may make brand reputation even more important.

Would appreciate any advice!

 

Vero quia doloribus aperiam et deleniti necessitatibus accusantium. Vitae et possimus iste modi reprehenderit ducimus. Quisquam doloremque iure nesciunt.

Ut quidem tempore omnis qui corrupti laborum minus. Nobis cum ex debitis omnis explicabo aspernatur rerum aut. Non qui doloribus voluptas laborum. Vel maiores consectetur at qui modi in. Culpa praesentium illum suscipit.

Est repudiandae dolores aut qui nihil nostrum unde. Ipsum sit consequatur qui rerum deleniti necessitatibus numquam laboriosam. Aut fuga mollitia vero ratione aut aut sequi.

Ea est earum nisi est a dignissimos. Corrupti quidem quis reiciendis accusamus temporibus est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

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...”