WBS vs IE Business School

Hello!

I am in a bit of dilemma here. I have offers for MSc Finance from Warwick Business School and IE Business School. Even though IE is a better ranked school, Warwick, on the face of it, seems to have an advantage in terms of placement, given it's proximity to London. I can't validate that but the language barrier in Spain will certainly narrow my options.

I have just a couple of months of work experience and I intend to get a position in Asset Management/PE after the course. Trying to weigh both the schools in terms of student life, reputation, and certainly placement opportunities. Any thoughts or opinions on this one?

 

I have some firsthand experience with Spain and know a few people who attended IE. It is highly regarded in Spain, but from what I was told, placement isn't necessarily the best. Their career services weren't too helpful and seems like many of the people stay in Spain (or return to their home countries). Would love to hear other's thoughts on the topic though.

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ai215:

I have some firsthand experience with Spain and know a few people who attended IE. It is highly regarded in Spain, but from what I was told, placement isn't necessarily the best. Their career services weren't too helpful and seems like many of the people stay in Spain (or return to their home countries). Would love to hear other's thoughts on the topic though.

I can confirm this. I think it is more a function of Europe than it is IE. Spain and Italy in particular.
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it is the common tradeoff:

some b-schools are better at a region (typically local, because recruit happen often, often those schools train part-time students, and firms send endowment checks for those schools)

and then internationally famous schools are typically strong with global networks, but not going to be super strong in any small region. I know of a good school in a small town, and some local employers are afraid of their graduates, because the graduate are too high-quality--which leads them to eventually work for bigger cities---NYC, Los Angeles, etc., instead of staying in the little town.

It's a tradeoff and you just have to consider which option fits you better.

 

I agree that European employers do tend to favour their local degrees and I've come across mixed reviews regarding IE's career cell, consistent with your remarks. But is it worth picking Warwick over IE just based on the quality of their career services? Warwick does have a highly regarded one.

But beyond placements, I am rather biased towards IE. The school in general has a better reputation and ranking and the content and course structure looks better.

 

I was considering IE Business School for their MBA program but decided against it for two reasons. The first being its location in Spain, which I viewed as a hindrance because the Spanish economy is very weak and many students from what I hear stay in Spain after the program. The second reason is because internationally, IE Business School does not have a strong reputation outside of Europe. Yes, in Spain and in Europe it might be highly-regarded, but if you go to the U.S. or Asia most people will not have heard about it.

I recommend Warwick due to the London location, which will serve you better for networking purposes and better global reputation.

 

I'll go ahead with Warwick. It seems like a more practical option and possibly a better one overall.

I agree with you on IE not being a very commonly acknowledged name in Asia. Maybe because it is relatively new and majorly has a good local-school image. But I do have to factor the reputation and alumni network because in the end, I want to land a job, and a good one at that.

 

Thank you guys. I appreciate your help with this one!

Could you also comment on networking and internships? From what I've come across, people start with the internship hunt right from day 1 of the session. Probably because most of the SA programs recruit in autumn. Some even have job offers a couple of months into the program. What is the better approach though? Trying for a SA position and then slogging to have it converted into a FT offer or apply for FT positions from the beginning.

 

Take Warwick and don't think twice. Their master in finance is one of the best degrees in the UK/europe. I think it blows IE out of the water easily. It is far more selective than ie, placement is better and the location (only career wise of course) is better.

 

Can't say about Warwick being more selective but IE definitely had a more extensive application process. WBS is excellent in UK and the location, even though it is not London, overrides IE. Agree with your opinion. Thank you!

 
Best Response

I have my EMBA from IE so I cannot speak directly to the MSc program.

The classmates from IE would likely be extreemly international in nature. You will have classmates from all over the world. Depending on where you want to work later, this may or may not matter to you. I don't believe that Warwick draws as international a group generally.

Reputation wise, I can't speak for London. I work in San Francisco, CA and the reputation of IE would outweigh Warwick quite significantly here - amongst those who know rankings.

On placement, personally I think IE did a fine job with those who needed it. I can't speak comparitively about that. We all had jobs after the program. Many upgraded their positions.

Also, living in Madrid is great. No complaints about that.

 

I admit that IE is ranked higher than Warwick but you do have to consider that an MSc candidate is on a different footing than an MBA candidate. The former has minimal or no work experience but the latter could have 3-10 years of experience behind him/her. So getting a job after an MBA or upgrading is easier owing to the prior work-ex. IE is anyway regarded mostly for it's MBA program.

MSc kids usually don't have anywhere to go back to. They're trying to build it ground up and really need a good foundation. From that perspective, Warwick just seems a safer bet. It's proximity to London just means more opportunities to network in person.

Had it been an MBA, it would've been a no-brainer. IE is really good. But maybe not that practical for MSc.

 

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