ESSEC MiM vs ESCP MiM (PGE)— Fixed Income Sales / Risk-Sales Trading
Hi guys,
I'm Italian and I was lucky to be admitted at both ESSSEC MiM and ESCP MiM, both PGE.
Choosing between the two and would love input from people who've actually recruited from either or alumni
Target roles: Fixed Income Sales, Sales Trading, or Risk in London, Paris, or Milan.
- ESSEC has a dedicated Financial Markets specialisation (trading, sales, structuring, derivatives) which seems more directly relevant.
- ESCP on the other hand has the London campus — Graduate Route visa, no sponsorship needed, and Investment Investment Banking + Banking & Finance specialisations.
Main question: does the ESSEC Financial Markets track actually give a meaningful edge for FI/sales trading recruiting, or is it irrelevant and what matters is just the brand + internships?
(I know the MiFs would have been better, but I didn't get in)
And more broadly — how do recruiters at banks (especially for markets roles) view ESSEC vs ESCP? Are they genuinely interchangeable or does one stand out for this specific path?
thank you in advance!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to consider:
Specialization vs. Location:
Recruiter Perception:
Internships and Networking:
Broader Considerations:
Recommendation:
If your primary focus is London, ESCP's London campus and visa advantage might outweigh ESSEC's specialization. However, if you're equally open to Paris or Milan and value the technical depth of the Financial Markets track, ESSEC could be the better choice. Ultimately, your decision should also factor in where you can secure the most relevant internships and build a strong network.
Sources: European Master in Finance programmes (pre-experience), Bocconi AFC vs ESCP MiM, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/trading/qa-senior-financial-services-executive-fixed-income-equities?customgpt=1, Imperial MSc Finance and Accounting vs. ESCP MiM vs. IE MIF
I'm sure someone asked a very similar question a few weeks ago.
Regardless, MiF are not necessarily better than MiM (PGE) in French schools (for the same school, it's actually the opposite), as PGE are flagship programme in France, are usually longer and give more flexibility to complete OC internships.
ESSEC and ESCP are pretty similar in term of prestige/placement if you are an international, and both will give you the exact same shot for IB.
Go where you think you'll enjoy the most, where people were the most likeable etc
Hi man, thanks for the insights,
Yeha i think ESSSEC I think it's just a little more quantitative than ESCP, especially for financial markets, even if life on ESCP campuses is definitely better
in france essec is better than escp in reputation, but it makes no damn difference in S&T.
at escp MiM, you have a finance track but is not amazing, it covers basics.
What makes the difference at the end is your networking to get the good internships.
I'll finish by saying I was at your position last year. The quicker you decide your school and move on to :
-knowing technicals
-talking to professionals aka networking
-preparing summers/springs which will come by july
the better.
If I were you I'd just take essec cause better in name and I value the ranking more than the place I live (cergy sucks bad).
Hi Victor,
Exaclty, I just think the Financial Markets specialization offer by ESSEC is a bit more quat, not a lot b ut maybe it gives more understaning
You're absolutely right, the name of the school matters only up to a certain point.
I'll work to research and prepare myself as best I can for Sumemr Anayst and Off-Cycle in S&T for next summer
In the end, the person matters a lot.
Thanks for your opinion man
ESCP has a financial markets specialisation as well, and is considered one of the toughest ones to pass.
But regardless, you could be studying markets but if you don't have the visa, you'll get screened out, simple as that. Even doing a crappy specialisation like Marketing, but doing it in London is better.
If you target London, Paris and Milan then ESCP is obviously the one to pick over Essec.
oh, okay thanks man
yeah the visa advantage from escp is essential
ESCP >> ESSEC for you. Especially if you don't speak French.
ESCP is better known in Italy and the UK. Do an internship in Milan, springs in London etc., then do a year in London to the get the visa and convert.
Ut odio nam veritatis quia. Dolor repellat in eum corporis quia. Fugit voluptatibus recusandae doloremque magnam ea rerum. Quisquam ducimus saepe odio repellat ipsum harum. Culpa tempora impedit aut. Labore ipsum esse nostrum dolor porro rerum. Tenetur ipsa deserunt iusto quia error deleniti.
Et officiis officiis asperiores saepe. Consequatur quas omnis qui quis et doloremque commodi. Iusto tempore accusamus officia voluptate. Asperiores et adipisci nihil consequuntur et omnis vero.
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...