Bocconi MSc Finance or Erasmus MSc Finance

Hi,

Quick question. What do you know about the two programs above, Bocconi (Milan) and Erasmus (Rotterdam) MSc Finance, in terms of prestige and recruiting. Any insight is very appreciated.

 

Correction to George's post: Cambridge, Oxford or LSE. Stay away from Imperial.

Between Erasmus and Bocconi I'd have to say Bocconi has far better representation in London and seems to have among the best IB recruiting in Europe (apparently). All the Italians who get recruited seem to have graduated from Bocconi (or at least the vast majority of them). Erasmus is a bit of a backwater, even though they like to trumpet the rankings of RSM and the "triple accreditation" (who cares). Plus Rotterdam is a shithole you don't want to live there. RSM is located in a particularly boring part of that shithole and isn't much of a campus to be honest (I went to one of their open days).

 

In terms of prestige and recruiting Bocconi is superior.

Note that the MSc Finance at Bocconi is very theoretical, so much so that it is one of the preferred programmes for future PHDs.

Rotterdam is a mixed bag... too many people per promotion, and most of them not so much IB focused. You may want to leave it as a back-up and consider HEC Paris, St. Gallen and Stockholm School of Economics instead, which together with Bocconi, are probably the European top 4 for the City. Note that SSE is free and St. Gallen costs less than 3000€, and this means that if you are not Swedish or Swiss, you'll need a GMAT of around 700 to get in. Bocconi and HEC are less selective if you are willing to pay the full fee (around 20000€).

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the responses guys.

Dacasale, I've heard some positive things about St. Gallen, but I also heard some grumblings about how you had better be fluent in German to go there because you are likely going to get a job in Zurich. I am fluent enough in Italian to go to Bocconi but my ultimate goal, if I end up going to a European MSc finance program , is to work in London. I've applied to LSE, but also wanted to check out some of the continental programs, hence my question about Erasmus and Bocconi. What are your thoughts on St. Gallen if I may ask?

 
Best Response

There are pros and cos.

In comparison with Bocconi, the first obvious difference is the setting. Milan is a very ugly city, yet much more interesting than St. Gallen, which is just your average swiss town. If you are into partying and clubbling Milan is your place. If you are into nature, St. Gallen will suit you better.

If your goal is to work in London both can position you well (although not as good as LSE, which is probably the best place to be (pre-expetience) in the whole Europe). There are way more Bocconians in London, maybe because people from St. Gallen stay in the German speaking world.

St Gallen's academics are a bit of mess, nad the 3 hour long class-slots are... well, too long. Bocconi uses 1.5h slots. Both unis are a bit bureaucratic when it comes to enrolling, crediting, or making paperwork in general.

St. Gallen's programme is more flexible. You only have 3 core subjects and you can then select your academic path (corporate, markets, quant). Bocconi has a fixed curriculum for the first year (10 subjects) which are about 50% corporate 50% markets. You can choose your path in the second year.

 

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