LSE vs. Imperial for MSc Finance

Hi everyone, I'm thrilled to have been accepted to both the LSE MSc Accounting & Finance and Imperial MSc Finance program and want to pursue a career in either investment banking or equity research. My background: Indian graduate (BSc Finance from NMIMS), CFA Level 1 cleared, Level 2 candidate, Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst certified. My questions: Program Fit: Which program better prepares me for IB/ER considering my background? Placement: Which has stronger placement records in these fields, particularly for Indian students? Advice: Any essential skills/experiences I should focus on for success as an Indian graduate seeking IB/ER in London? Thanks for sharing your insights!

6 Comments
 

Both will set you up well in London provided you have a solid background & work experience, but for finance/economics, LSE wins out. Imperial is a stronger university overall (rankings etc.) but LSE is more specialized and has a long-standing reputation in the sector.

To infinity... and beyond!
 

Thank you for suggesting LSE! I'm definitely intrigued, but I have a couple of questions about the specific program fit:

  • Departmental Difference: While I see the value of LSE's strong reputation, I'm curious about the implications of the MSc Accounting & Finance being offered through the Department of Accounting, as opposed to Finance. Does this impact the  relative to a standalone MSc Finance program?
  • Learning Style: I'm drawn to Imperial's practical, hands-on approach. Could someone with experience in the LSE program comment on the balance of theory and application within the MSc Accounting & Finance?

I appreciate any insights on how these factors might align with careers in investment banking and equity research.

 

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