MSc Management: LSE v. Imperial v. Cass

Hi,

I've been accepted to MSc Management programs at:

  • LSE
  • Imperial
  • Cass

I need some help deciding which to choose! Basically, I want to know which program employers in the business world, broadly defined, would view as "the best." I am just about to finish my undergrad degree in the US, so I am not greatly familiar with the reputations of UK business schools. Obviously, I know that LSE is the school with the biggest/ best "brand-name" - but all three programs are pretty similarly ranked, according to the FT, so how big a consideration should I put on the school's overall rep...? I would really appreciate some advice from anyone familiar with these schools or MSc Management programs in general or, ideally, both!

Some extra info:

Regarding careers, I am not one hundred percent sure yet where I want to end up. Maybe management consultancy.

Also: financial considerations are a concern. Cass has already promised me a small scholarship. This makes Imperial look quite a bit more expensive, so I would need a pretty good reason to pick Imperial over Cass. And since LSE is a two-year program, it is basically twice the price of Imperial, so I would need a VERY good reason to choose LSE.

One more thing, conditions of my offers: Cass requires that I graduate with a 3.2 GPA, LSE requires a 3.5 - I'm assuming this means LSE is more selective... Is it best to go with the most selective school that accepted me?

Any thoughts are welcome, I want to make sure I make the right decision!

 

LSE is a great school, but for the price of its course I wouldn't recommend it.

CASS is very good, but you will struggle to get interviews at top firms, especially with the current situation here in London.

 

Thanks for the advice! Would you recommend Imperial over CASS?

Also, I MIGHT get an offer from LBS - less expensive than LSE, but still much more expensive than CASS or Imperial. Considering the school's rep, would a degree from LBS be worth the extra 5-10K pounds?

 

Coming from the U.S., I'm pretty sure LSE is definitely more well-known here. That said, if the price difference is very dramatic, then it isn't an easy choice. If you're planning to return for FT work in the U.S. then name recognition in the U.S. is probably a big consideration, to be honest. That said, I've definitely also heard of Imperial and feel that it has good recognition in the U.S. too. For what it's worth, I haven't heard much about CASS ever before.

 
Best Response

LSE and Imperial are considered a lot better than Cass (though it is still possible to get a great job after Cass, just harder). (LBS is considered extremely well also).

I hear a lot of people get hired from Imperial programs like engineering or computer science for trading or quant roles, so Im guessing their graduate school has strong links too.

As for LSE, if you feel it could be in any way financially feasable, go for it. It is the best college in the UK for financial roles, as for other good paying business jobs, its probably tied with Oxbridge, but still considered excellent. They are more selective because they get a lot more applications from around the world. IMO a good degree from there is like gold in the UK.

If you want more programme-specific information (comparing the 3 based on the content of the MSc.), go to www.thestudentroom.co.uk, they've got a ton of threads on this sort of stuff.

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Out of the three I'd suggest Imperial. a) Financial considerations seem to be very important to you and I don't support the whole "let's take a big student loan but then I also HAVE to get the job which simply pays me most (but which I don't like)". b) Imperial has overall a better reputation than Cass as was already said.

SynergyWeek is absolutely right about LSE. You need to determine where your financial limit is. 5-10k for a better school extra is definitely worth it. A full additional year in London (tuition and living expenses) is a different game altogether. If you get LBS, I think that's worth your consideration since the brand name from the MBA program might get you some more pull with US firms than Imperial while still being at a lower cost than LSE.

 

I am an engineering final year student and I always wanted to work in a Management Consultancy. I decided to pursue a MSc in Management to change my career path from Engineering. Since I applied really late(April'2012) most schools in Europe were almost done with their this years enrollment. However I have offers from the following schools: Warwick, Cass, Grenoble,Edinburgh and Strathclyde. I am on the reserve list for LSE(as their class was full but my application was strong so they have put me on a reserve list) I am waiting to hear from Imperial and Rotterdam.

While the FT Times ranks Grenoble really high, I am not sure if its a good course. Cass is ranked as the third best in UK but I have always seen people saying Warwick is a more reputed business school. I have to pay my deposit at Cass by June 1 and I am really confused. Cass has great networking links and they have already started to send me CV tips, linkedIn Alumni Networking Groups etc. Cass also costs 6000 pounds cheaper than the Warwick Course. And the career fairs at Cass are highly popular.

Please help me with the pro's and con's of each school. Specially considering that I need a school that will help me network in the management consultancy field!

 

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