MSc Financial Economics at ESE (Erasmus School of Economics, Rotterdam) - Is it difficult?
As per title, I am considering applying for the MSc Financial Economics programme at ESE (Erasmus School of Economics in Rotterdam). My undergraduate degree covered business/economics and assuming this is sufficient to get admitted, I want to better understand how difficult the programme is, especially for someone who got an undergraduate degree a few years ago (and this means I already forgot some stuff haha).
Personally I don't know anyone who did that programme, so I did some Internet search and found 'scary' reviews of ESE saying that although it's easy to get admitted, it's very difficult to finish the programme as the pass rate is often 50% per course. I find this pretty unbelievable, at least my university has never been like this (I haven't studied in the Netherlands though), but on the other hand the quick LinkedIn search shows that some people studied MSc Financial Economics at ESE for 2/3 years instead of 1 year :O
So, my question is, how difficult (maths/economics-heavy) the programme is, like is it only for people who are brilliant in maths/economics, or an ordinary student has also chances to obtain the degree within 1 year? Can you please share your experiences? I guess some of you have studied there, so any insights are very much appreciated
Study Finance & Investments at RSM (Erasmus University Rotterdam) now for a good month myself.
What I have heard so far is that Financial Economics is less difficult compared to Finance & Investments.
People complete the master in 2 years instead of 1 year because they do 2/3 internships during their Master, not because it is impossible to complete in 1 year
That's very interesting because I read here on WSO that MScFI is easier. Actually I've already applied for MScFI but since I don't have much time to prepare for GMAT (I'm working full time), I'd like Financial Economics to be my backup option. How do you find your programme so far?
Slightly late but thought i’d chip in for any future person looking at the thread. I think this is quite misleading. I’m in my third year studying IBEB at ESE so I have lived through ESE and know many people from RSM studying IBA and Masters in F&I as well as many people studying Masters in Financial economics. I also know people who went from IBEB at ESE to Masters F&I at RSM and others who went on to do Financial Economics at ESE. ESE in ALL of its courses is harder than RSM. Both in bachelors IBA is much easier than IBEB with alot less maths and work and IBA students always have more free time, and in Masters, Financial economics is definitely harder than F&I but the gap between both masters programs is not large. You will need to be great at maths is the one thing I would say about studying at ESE, although I would recommend going to RSM if you get in as it’s an easier program and you get the same opportunities (yes, ESE students get the same opportunities as RSM students both in the Netherlands and in London, I have actually seen more ESE than RSM students land jobs in london). So for anyone wondering, the sum-up is, ESE is definitely harder for any program but you get the same opportunities in both so in my opinion, go for RSM when you can.
so you would that ESE is better if you get top grades and can land ib jobs at london even as an international?
ESE is indeed not that hard to get in but quite difficult to finish. It is a great school and program but indeed you better be good in maths :)
Thanks! Did you study/know people who studied that programme in particular? I'm just wondering if the level of Maths you mentioned is in line with standard corporate finance level or is it rather more advanced? Precisely, I'm working as a financial analyst so I deal with statements/forecasts/basic modelling on a daily basis but that's it haha
It is in line with standard corporate finance level ahah you should be ok then haha
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