Oxford vs University of Chicago

I am an international student debating between reading chemistry at New College, Oxford, as opposed to University of Chicago where I'd likely study some combination of economics and computer science. My long term goal is to follow the IB -> PE path in either NYC or London, and then return to my home country to work in the highest echelons of PE or the government. Which university would better suit my aspirations?

I've also received offers from Duke, UPenn CAS, Dartmouth, and UC Berkeley.

15 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I think it depends more on what country you want to pursue the IB/PE opportunities in. UChicago/Upenn probably make the most sense if you want to go to the states I'd guess.

Degree choice is also a pretty substantial factor too; chemistry and econ/compsci are worlds apart and are unlikely to have any overlap whatsoever. The oxford chemistry course looks especially rigorous (coming from a current chemistry student elsewhere) so you're going to spend a lot of time dedicated to ensuring you understand the topics.

 

Not familiar with the US recruiting scene so can't really speak on that, but if you are determined you should quite easily (relatively speaking) be able to land IB at a BB in London reading chemistry at Oxford

 

Would say Oxford for London and +Uchicago for the US. Depends where do you see yourself working for the first 5 years of your career NY or London? Good luck :)

 

Internationally, Oxford is much more well-known than UChicago. Your average international and even probably some Americans won't be that familiar with UChicago. 

I'd probably say Oxford is the 2nd most well-known school in the world after Harvard. Even schools like Stanford don't have that much name recognition outside of the US among your average lay-person. 

 

I'd go Chicago for the US optionality. I think you could still recruit in London, given the more impersonal nature of recruitment there. 

 

Considering your ultimate goal is to go back to your non US home country, Oxford is definitely the move here.

Although if you were aiming to maximize fun + recruiting opportunities and outcomes for your goal, I'd rank it Duke = Dartmouth > Oxford > UChicago > UPenn CAS > Berkeley

 

I don’t think it’s an issue, especially in the UK. Choosing a degree solely for a career can be quite dull.

Chemistry should be fine for recruiting in all walks of finance

 

Are you replying to the right comment? I never said that oxford chemistry bars them from finance? I literally ranked it higher than uchicago.
In terms of choosing a degree solely for career, I literally advocated for duke/dartmouth because it'll be a more fun experience LOL

 

Nihil similique consequuntur ut. Vero eos et laboriosam alias consequatur quod. Consequatur autem earum aut qui aliquam debitis. Occaecati mollitia quisquam non molestiae est ut. Officia quia in ut quam ut neque. Ratione non rerum nobis rem non. Porro ut repellat reiciendis ullam ab voluptatem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”