Msc Finance ranking Europe
Hi there!
From what you' ve heard/seen throughout your whole career, what are the best school for a MSF in Europe? (I know that it depends on the field we are considering, let's say for IBD for instance).
(It would be great to have a comprehensive ranking).
I'd say LSE/LBS/Oxbridge >= HEC > Bocconi/Escp/Edhec > Essec/Imperial/SSE > IE/Esade/CBS > RSM/WHU
Is it legit? Thanks in advance
I'd probably rank Oxford above LSE and LBS and rank Cambridge lower than LSE and LBS. Would also rank Imperial higher if you want to work in London (probably just below HEC).
Let me give you some sound advice that many on this board pretty much agree on: Never rely on the skewed mainstream FT Rankings. You must analyze with rigor each and every program's employment reports if it is publicly published, preferably.
(PS: Essec >>>>> Edhec)
Well, I'd say that Tier1 UK-based Programs enjoy the clear main advantage of their locarion: LBS/LSE/Oxbridge. (Although Cambridge's M.Phil. Program is far less marketed than its competitors. Very little info on this specific one, compared to the others.
Also bear in mind that these are professional, business programs, with great emphasis on professional networking and job seeking. So, in my humble point of view, being already located in London, and thus being able to commute freely & frequently for networking events and/or job interviews, assessment centers, and non-OCR related activities, also remains a highly critical advantage.
This is a one-year (or two-years, for Continental Europe) Program. There is very little time to waste. Being "at the heart" of the job market, geographically, is important. This, for me, trumps a potential Oxbridge prestige: That's why I think LBS/LSE should be prioritized over Oxbridge.
HEC, Bocconi, and SSE are on the exact same Tier (with a slighet edge in favor of HEC & Bocconi over SSE). Selection here should be based on language and geographical preferenge. If you don't speak French, nor Italian, nor Swedish, I'd say go for HEC: you can get to London in two hours by train.
HEC's MIF class goes to London in october and meets with a total of 60 firms for networking. And you pick and choose the ones you'd like to speak with etc. Many Bocconi UG, in fact, enroll to HEC's MIF (including for the current 2018-2019 academic year). Btw, the program doesn't require any previous finance work experience (which would be a plus, for applicants with no experiences. There are a few of you out there).
HEC-Bocconi-SSE are generally prefered over UK Tier2 Programs: Imperial, Warwick, UCL, Cass. (By judging by the number/proportion of graduates in front office entry-level positions).
ESSEC [SLIGHTLY] > ESCP. But Essec's campus is way too far from Paris itself (more than 20 miles), whereas ESCP enjoys a privileged central Paris location. But ESCP's Program is 100% french-taught; and a Master thesis also has to be published (in french). To be frank, not b******* straight-talking: for french schools, if you don't get into HEC, gun for the slightly-less selective Programs at LSE (Finance & Accounting, etc.). Frankly: To many downsides in attending a french program if it's not HEC. Imho: not worth the cost of attendance.
EDHEC below ESSEC & ESCP.
Pretty sure RSM & CBS are mostly regional programs: interesting if you're a national of the country and/or speak the local language. But this last information needs to be confirmed. Not quite well-versed on those particular schools, nor on the other schools listed.
Best of luck for your applications.
I would also rank Imperial higher, would also rank Bocconi > Edhec/Escp. I would also add Warwick to that list..
I would rank Warwick higher than Edhec/Ecsp, especially when it comes to recruiting in the UK and other EU countries that aren't France.
Imo, I think it's more relevant to compare Masters, not Universities. The ranking would be:
LSE (Msc Finance) / HEC (International Finance) / Oxford (MFE) (i would include Cambridge here as well, but it's a research master and the class is very small)
Imperial (Msc Finance) / LBS (MFA) / St Gallen (Banking and Finance) / ESCP (Finance) / Bocconi (Finance)
IE (Finance) / Esade (Finance) / LSE (Acc and Fin) / Edhec (Finance) / Essec (Finance) / Imperial (Acc and Finance)
RSM (Finance and Inv.) / SSE (Finance) / Mannheim (Finance) / WHU (Finance).
Some notes: Bocconi has a very strong bachelor degree, but most of its top students go for their master either in UK or France (HEC), and a few in Switzerland (St. Gallen).
Mannheim and WHU also offer strong bachelor degrees (Mannheim > WHU imo), but also their top students go either to UK or HEC and St Gallen for their masters.