Advice for master studies

Dear Community,

I face the following decision for my master studies:
LSE MSc Finance vs LBS MFA vs HEC MSc International Finance vs HSG MBF. The most important goal is, that I would like to secure a full-time BB M&A offer directly upon graduating from my studies. Even though all four programmes are very popular, and it should be possible to receive a BB offer at all of those universities, I want to maximise my chances as far as possible.

My background:
- Bachelor in Business Administration at one of (continental) Europe‘s top target universities + semester abroad at one of (continental) Europe‘s top target universities
- Currently in the final semester, very likely to graduate with First-class honours
- One Big4 FDD internship + one Big4 M&A internship (most likely my weak point)
- CFA Level 1 and CAIA Level 1 already in my pocket
- 760 GMAT

How would you rank the above-mentioned programmes in my case?
Thank you so much.

 

Thank you very much for your comment. I really appreciate your opinion. I do already have offers, and therefore must make a decision. My personal feeling is also, that LSE/LBS are slightly above HEC/HSG, but as I already mentioned, I do not have BB experience until now and therefore lack the ability to perfectly assess the programmes in terms of chances of receiving a BB offer. Do you think - with my profile - it is realistic to directly receive a full-time M&A offer upon graduating?

 

Although many take the summer analyst -> FT analyst route post master, some do receive FT offers straight out of their MSc.

Given you have no prior M&A experience, I would still recommend applying to SA positions post-MSc if you are aiming for the top shops. If you are good enough, you will get a return offer.

Regarding LSE v LBS - I am also deciding between these two. It is hard to say which course is better! Your quality of life will definitely be better at LBS with more opportunities to network with classmates and MBAs, the opportunity to do a global immersion field trip... their careers service is also quite strong, but I still feel that academically LSE has an edge in terms of prestige.

Check out my thread for more info.

 
Most Helpful

HSG is stronger if you want to work in Zurich. HEC the same, for Paris. I don't think you'll find exact numbers for how many kids from each program end up in BB FO, but I would personally rank LSE one notch above LBS. However, LSE is more theoretical than LBS so if you're not strong in the more theoretical aspects of finance I would go for LBS. 1:1 LSE > 1:1 LBS > 2:1 LSE etc...

I don't know... Yeah. Almost definitely yes.
 

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