What is the best Finance Master's programme to get placement in London IB?

Hello everyone,

I have seen this similar question posed on WSO, but I am looking for some very recent insights. I am currently preparing for my Masters, with the aim of getting into IB in London. Based on insights from others and info on WSO, my top four picks are as follows:

  • LBS Financial Analysis
  • LSE Finance
  • Oxford Financial Economics
  • HEC Paris International Finance

Before going into the process, I would like to set an order of preference for myself, but I am struggling as I feel like each one of these programmes have their own strenghts and weaknesses. Which one do you think could best serve my medium term goal of getting an IB job, preferably at a BB or an EB bank in London? Any current insights and information are welcome.

Little bit about myself: currently finishing my BA in Finance and Accounting at a Hungarian target school, just started a 3-month internship at an MBB (consulting role, not support analyst), before that I was doing valuation at a Big 4. I'm expected to graduate with a GPA of 4.98 on a scale of 1 to 5, summa cum laude.

Looking forward to your suggestions!

9 Comments
 

This is pretty inaccurate. The program is more selective by a decent margin than the others (GMAT/GPA/UG Institution), and don't think it is discounted because it is a PG program, or more discounted than LSE/LBS for the same reasons. Placement seems just fine, not sure why you claim LSE/LBS are way better. The ranking above used to be the consensus on this forum before LBS brigading, and want to repeat again this is splitting hair at this point

 

Yes, Oxford is more selective academically, but beyond a certain point, academics add very little value for landing a job. The academic criteria for LSE/LBS are beyond that point. From there on, what should matter most is what resources each programme provides for job placement. (i.e career support center, job fairs, on campus recruiting, etc). I wouldn't say that Oxford placement is worse than LSE, but it is definitely behind LBS.

 

I agree. If you are good enough to get all these offers, then the IB roles are well within your reach. For Uk schools, it’s about living in London vs studying at a mythical institution. If London is your choice, simply decide if you like red or blue more

 

If you want to work after masters, anyone but prob LBS would be more helpful. If you want the option to pursue academia, LSE/Oxford. If you want to get into a more quant role, Oxford

 

LBS would be the best option imo. It's a one year programme but they have an optional additional term. This allows students to pass as penultimate year students, and hence have more chances to land a SA (as some banks shun from final year students) which is the safest option to break into IB. Also heard that its academic workload is very light.

LSE would be my second choice, great brand and name. However, as some banks have quotas for each university, the MSc students would have it harder as they would be competing against the BSc students. This is not the case for Lbs, as it does not have undergrauate programmes (tho the MFA class is bigger than LSE MFin)

 

Non minima ut aut et exercitationem blanditiis quasi. Et ducimus suscipit eos ut nobis. Maiores beatae labore quis temporibus iste est reiciendis. Et ut officiis eius eum ut. Culpa fuga consequatur et et voluptas ex et. Similique sint quis error earum dolor voluptatem. Odit qui repellendus voluptas sapiente libero quas nulla.

Qui quia nesciunt minima ratione distinctio. Nostrum voluptas temporibus ea excepturi quisquam explicabo vitae voluptas. Est molestias ut doloremque. Temporibus eos nemo ratione.

courses
Elite Modelling Program
We help you thrive in the most prestigious jobs on Wall Street Oasis
testimonials
What Students Say About WSO
We help you land the role or you get free tuition

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”