Warwick vs Queen Mary University of London

Prospective undergrad here (starting September).

My firm choice is QMUL, which isn’t the best uni, i.e. is a ‘non-target’, but has a geographical advantage of being in London (networking, proximity).

However, I’m thinking of contacting Warwick via clearing in August, which seems better, but is disadvantaged due to its distance from London.

I’m looking to go into AM for my career, so if anyone could offer any advice, that’d be greatly appreciated.

16 Comments
 

Warwick. Quality of students on average is higher and more will end up in ibd (bigger network)

 

It's a tough one. Being in London is certainly attractive from a networking standpoint. Canary Wharf and the City are only a tube journey away, and no need to hurt yourself financially from travelling from the North, or West. So the networking aspect can be beneficial to you. I wouldn't beat yourself up too much about QMUL, there are plenty of terrible London-based universities. In terms of ranking, QMUL is probably 5th or 6th best after UCL, Imperial, LSE, KCL, and CoL/Cass.

That being said, Warwick is a fantastic university with Target status. Which, will help a lot more in applications at least on paper. In terms of either university, you aren't reducing your chances that much if you go with QMUL over Warwick. A quick pander on LinkedIn shows numerous people from QMUL in a variety of financial sectors, including AM.

If you go with QMUL, then I wouldn't worry, as you can make up for the benefit of Warwick by involving yourself in as many student-based activities as possible. Sports, Department Representative, Finance clubs, etc.

Overall, Warwick > QMUL

Warwick Degree QMUL Degree with extra-curricular activities.

What matters is whether or not you actually make the most of your time at University.

 

He can also do the same extra-curriculars and more at Warwick. I go to Warwick and I think I've lost track at the number of Finance type societies there are on campus.

London is a max 1-1.5 hour train ride away in case you do need to network (though networking is not a big thing in UK like you read on this site; pretty much the only geographical advantage of London in this regard will be that it will be less travel time for you to attend insight days and such- obviously story changes if you are planning to do part time work at some small boutique)

Also our new sports centre is pretty sick so OP you can pursue a whole lot of Sport at Warwick. Go to Warwick you won't regret it (though I am not sure which course you will be looking at via Clearing)

 

Sorry, I forgot to mention.

I definitely will be wanting to pursue spring weeks, as well as summer internships in 2nd and 3rd year, so the distance plays a big part on this factor.

 

QMUL's location is only an advantage compared to other semi/non targets, where students have to network more extensively (i.e. it's easier to do it when in London).

Warwick is not in that category, it's above it. It's a top target and City / Canary Wharf recruit heavily out from there so its location is a complete non-issue (as is the case with the rest of the non-London based target unis such as Oxbridge, Bristol, Durham etc.).

 

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