Best Masters for a Career in Asset Management

Hi guys.

Which is the best Masters program and university in the US/UK for a career in Asset Management. Last year I graduated with a Bsc degree in Mathematical Statistics and I am currently doing a Bcom honors degree in Financial Analysis and portfolio management in Cape Town South Africa. I am also a June 2012 CFA level 1 candidate. There are quite a few institutions I have found that offer good programs what seems to be good programs e.g.

CASS business school - MSC Investment Management University of Exeter - MSc Financial Analysis and Fund Management University of Edinburgh Business School - Msc Finance and Investment

I know that I will have to start off as an analyst then work my way to being a portfolio manager. Any general advice wil be appreciated. Thanx in advance.

9 Comments
 

Thanx for the list nauprillion but its not answering my main question. I saw all those programs but I need to find out which program is the best for Asset Management.........a reason for the choice of program will be very helpful too. From my research on masters programs I found the MSc Investment Management from CASS Business school to be quite interesting compared to the other programs. With more electives to choose from and flexibility in ur course structure.

 

I get what you mean by no "best degree for asset management" but surely some business schools should have an advantage over others. Well I want to do a masters degree and can only get enrolled if I have an honors degree. Yes work experience is key but then again I don't believe that having a masters degree will not add any substance to my CV. The interview may make or break you but then again having a masters will keep you a step ahead.

 
Best Response

There are a lot (I think 20) of schools in Europe that are CFA program partner schools that offer 1 year masters courses that cover c70% of the CFA curriculum. I did one of these, albeit at a less prestigious school than the ones you have mentioned, and it made CFA 1 a breeze and CFA 2 more manageable. If your plan is to go into Asset Management you might want to look into one of these schools as more likely than not you will need the CFA for asset management roles.

I believe Oxford is a CFA partner:

http://www.cfainstitute.org/partners/university/Pages/cfa_program_unive…

 

[quote=Ovechkin08]There are a lot (I think 20) of schools in Europe that are CFA program partner schools that offer 1 year masters courses that cover c70% of the CFA curriculum. I did one of these, albeit at a less prestigious school than the ones you have mentioned, and it made CFA 1 a breeze and CFA 2 more manageable. If your plan is to go into Asset Management you might want to look into one of these schools as more likely than not you will need the CFA for asset management roles.

I believe Oxford is a CFA partner:

http://www.cfainstitute.org/partners/university/Pages/cfa_program_unive…]

Thanks for your reply! Regarding courses, do you recommend I apply for a Masters in Economics (2 years as I'll need to get some foundations in Mathematics + Economic theory) or Finance?

 

Non et officia enim sapiente voluptatem sunt. Voluptas fugiat dolorem dolor eveniet tempore repellat explicabo. Omnis consequatur voluptas molestiae quaerat labore pariatur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (49) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”