Non-EU international applicant: which European econ/finance undergrads actually place into London IB/AM/PE?
Background: I'm a final-year high school student (Indian curriculum, based in the Middle East) applying for Economics/Finance undergrad in Europe. Non-EU, so tuition and visa/work-rights matter. Long-term goal is London front office (IB, then AM/PE). I run my school's economics club, have done two finance-related internships, and I'm working through the CFI FMVA.
Shortlist:
- UC3M (Carlos III Madrid)
- UPF (Pompeu Fabra)
- Università Cattolica (Milan)
- Copenhagen Business School
- Aalto
- Corvinus (Budapest)
- SGH (Warsaw)
- Charles University (IES Prague)
- Stockholm School of Economics
- NOVA SBE (Lisbon)
What I'm trying to figure out:
- Which of these have real London placement (IB, AM, PE, not just "alumni in finance")? Are there any where London recruiters actually show up or where the alumni network is strong there? and which one of these have real placement in the UAE(Dubai)
- For those who've recruited from Europe into London: what did you wish you'd known? (Internship timing, spring weeks, language requirements, visa sponsorship.)
- Any schools here that are overrated or underrated for finance recruiting and which ones you would shortlist(5-7 schools)
Happy to hear from anyone who attended, hired from, or recruited out of these schools. Blunt answers welcome.
Based on the highest ranked content on WSO, here's the reality check you need for European undergrad placement into London finance:
The Harsh Truth About Your ShortlistLooking at your list against WSO's European target university discussions, none of these schools are considered true targets for London IB/PE. The established European targets are:
Tier 1: Oxford, Cambridge, LSE Tier 1.5: Imperial, Bocconi, Warwick
Your Best Bets from the ListTier 2: UCL, Durham, St. Andrews, HEC, ESSEC
Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) - This is your strongest option. SSE appears in WSO discussions as having "great placement across the board" and is mentioned alongside other respected European programs.
Copenhagen Business School - Decent Nordic reputation, but limited London placement data.
Università Cattolica (Milan) - Italy has some finance presence, but Bocconi dominates Italian placement into London.
What WSO Veterans Wish They'd KnownFrom previous WSO threads on European recruiting:
- Location matters enormously - London universities have massive advantages for networking events and BB/EB access
- Spring weeks are crucial - UK recruiting timeline is different from US
- Visa sponsorship is still manageable post-Brexit, but adds complexity
- Alumni networks in London are what actually get you interviews, not just program rankings
Realistic AdviceThe brutal reality? You're fighting an uphill battle with this list for London IB/PE. Consider whether the cost savings justify the significantly reduced placement odds.
Sources: UK Target Universities Discussion Thread, European Master in Finance programmes (pre-experience), Undergrad Tier List for London across Europe, European Masters Rankings
I dont have any skin in the recruitment game anymore but it absolutely blows my mind when a student says Im from developing-country A, I want to study in country B so that I can work in developed-country C.
Absolutely mindblowing. If you want to work in developed-country C then the best course of action is to find a way to study there especially when the pathways are so clear and formal.
If youre talking abt lack of financial resources - well, if you cant afford country C? Then spending money to study in country B just for a shot to work in country c generally isnt going to happen and will result in even more debt
so what's you advice on it for me, what should I do
1)Apply and get admitted to a top american or uk school
2) crush it in academics and do everything you can (spring weeks at top banks / multiple relevant internships )
If you dont have money then find a way to get it in the next 3-4years so that you can study in a target school at the masters level.
I cant afford a uk school its way out of my budget and I cant do the USA(personal preference), few of these schools would put me in a bit of debt(25-35k usd) so I want to pick the one with the best RoI, I plan on writing the gmat in the future and getting into a top 10 b school in the UK/europe(insead/hec/ect)
so I need to pick one of these 10 unis(my target is SSE) Orr go regional(dubai unis are shit) which seems like a bad option to me, what's your opinion on it tho would you go regional or go one of the 10 from the list
You dont really have many options available.
Uh none of these would place you in London. The only target schools in continental Europe placing in London are hec, bocconi, escp and maybe a few others.. But they don't look for Indians, only for French/italian/Germans for their language ability. Or really top percentile Indians like those from IIT or worked at family office at Mittal/hinduja etc.
Got to a UK target like the other commentator said. Although more importantly build some experience beforehand. Certificates mean fuck all in this market.
So what do you think I do now? try getting into any of these 10 unis or just go regional
either way I plan on doing masters at a top 10-20 b school
So then assuming you do a top target master after, from your choices SSE is best. Won't place you in uk still directly (perhaps through a spring). Copenhagen is solid too, and aalto. But nordic schools are worth it only if you speak one of their languages for doing internships, attending career fairs etc.
The rest are non targets. Nova can be alright I guess, but not sufficient as a brand name.
I went to one of the schools above and echoing what others have said - the main reason that Ldn recruits from these schools are the fact that they can cover these areas language wise. If not for that reason, they just recruit from one of the top 5 schools, which are not the above.
Noting that you can't afford one of the top schools, I would play the long game and go to one of the good schools in the UAE (i.e. NYUAD), get a few years of experience and then do a MBA in the UK or US. Your current plan needs a miracle and then some.
Btw, if you end up shooting for the miracle, at least do one of the Western European schools.
if you dont mind telling, which school did you go to?
CBS - by far the best school together with SSE in the Nordics in terms of placing in London, but still miles behind HEC, Bocconi, top UK schools etc
I would add RSM Rotterdam in there as well, it’s free or almost free to attend and much better than many of the options above. Maastricht might also be worth looking into. German schools like whu, fsfm or tum are also relatively international and set you up better for target master.
But ofc. London school would be far superior to all options
Rsm is not much better than these. That said it does belong in this group. Somewhere after SSE and CBS.
RSM is way better than those you mean!
Rsm very expensive for non EU students
still cheaper than most
Highly suggest the Canary Wharfian website, most advice/info here is US-focussed
its paid tho
Et ab quis rerum dolor in omnis. Dolores rerum laudantium in corporis animi. Adipisci inventore non corporis molestiae deserunt laborum.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Velit voluptate et quae quod perferendis veniam in est. Ea dolor molestias in qui itaque. Sapiente consequuntur fuga fugiat dolorem nam.
Occaecati iure et sed ut cupiditate unde non. Sint totam mollitia placeat quae sed veniam omnis facere.