Cass Business School, #1 in London, #3 in UK, #12 in Europe and consistently moving up the rankings!!
Ok since people are always curious as to why I am such a fan of Cass...here you go! A quick interview I did a while back. FYI I am not saying other european business schools aren't better than Cass... I'm just saying Cass deserves to be recognized as one of the leading business schools, with a high potential going forwards!
Where did you hear about Cass?
I spoke to many friends and industry contacts to gain insight into the best programmes available in International Finance. Cass was consistantly recommended over and over, so it seemed like a great fit for what I was looking for in my academic studies. I also had a personal connection with Cass since my father completed his Masters here in 1977!
Why did you choose to study at Cass?
It was tough deciding where to complete my masters, but ultimately Cass stood out as the leading faculty for specialist degrees in Finance. Rankings can validate this, as Cass keeps climbing in the FT’s European Business School Ranking.
Having completed my bachelors degree at Cass in Investment & Financial Risk Management, I had a solid network within the school, and really enjoyed being a part of a number of societies. Enrolling in the masters allowed me to continue learning in a fast-paced environment, whilst participating in a number of activities that Cass has to offer, and interact with new classmates.
What were you doing before you started the course at Cass?
Before starting my masters, I spent 3-months working in Mergers & Acquisitions at a Global Investment Bank. In M&A you constantly scrutinize financial statements, and this was a key motivation for me wanting to pursue an MSc in International Accounting & Finance.
Why did you choose to Study an MSc?
The MSc for me was all about expanding my skill set and thus increasing my employability, whilst developing my network, and learning in a challenging yet enjoyable environment.
What aspects have you enjoyed about the course?
The people and the course structure.
On our course there is a huge diversity of students, the perfect example of Cass’ international importance. I enjoy working with people with different and often fascinating backgrounds and definitely adds to the overall enjoyment of the course.
I greatly enjoyed the balance between the accounting and finance aspects of the programme. Of course, these two disciplines interact, and the course usually requires us to use accounting measures for a markets-oriented purpose This means we often work through a company’s accounts with the mindset of a financial analyst.
What elements of the way in which the course is delivered that you especially like? Or the way in which the course is structured?
The MSc programmes have more interaction between students than at the BSc level. This is due to more emphasis on group work, presentations and class discussions. In class we spend a lot of time working through Case Studies, where we are not only asked to calculate financial elements, but also asked encouraged to discuss our findings and develop in-depth analysis of our own.
What are your career ambitions?
After completing my masters I will be joined the Investment Banking Division of a XYZ Bank in London, as a first year analyst.
Careers in Investment Banking are extremely rewarding. What attracted me in particular is they encompass a number of interesting aspects within finance:
-Quantitative and financial research and modelling
-Strategic understanding of large entities
-Financial knowledge with respect to capital markets
Developing strengths in these areas, hopefully will allow me to work on exciting projects in the hopes of working as a key intermediary between the companies and the market, in the hope of adding to the value creation process.
My career ambitions are to work with large corporate clients in advising them on their most important strategic decisions. In 5 years, I hope to have worked on a number of large corporate finance transactions involving M&A, Restructuring, IPOs, Equity and Debt Recapitalisations.
How will the programme help you achieve your career objective?
The programme at Cass allowed me to strengthen my skills, and receive a well-recognised degree from the leading finance faculty in London. Having the Cass MSc stamp on my CV undoubtedly gives you a strong competitive edge as you start your career.
How did you find the facilities at Cass? Is there anything that stands out specifically?
Cass is famous for having exceptional facilities, and as students we are all very proud about these. The building and its state-of-the-art resources are hugely important to the day-to-day life of the students. As students, we all enjoy working in a modern and user-friendly space, and having the best tools at our disposal, such as the dozens of Bloomberg and ThomsonReuters terminals.
This is essential to the success of Cass producing well prepared and successful students ready to enter the employment market.
What I enjoy the most about the Cass facilities is the Bloomberg trading room. With a few friends we enrolled on a trading simulation game, and spent countless hours in that room. With live feed from the markets and Bloomberg TV screens, the room is really set up to feel like a trading floor!
What kind of support did you receive from the staff?
The staff at Cass are fantastic at making themselves available to students. Every professor that I have had has been able to give me individual advice if needed. During my course, I made use of the drop-in hours, but I also contacted my professors by email, and this ultimately meant that I never felt lost, confused or unsupported during my studies- a huge relief given the demanding nature of the course!
Have you used the careers service? How did they help you?
The careers service works very hard in trying to provide us with detailed information on how to succeed in finding the right job. We have weekly information sessions and meetings with career consultants. The careers service also have a great online website where we can upload our CV and find out what jobs are available. Once you know what job you are looking for, the careers service will help you to brush up for an interview or assessment center.
Are you/have you been a member of any of the University clubs and societies? If so which?
At the start of my masters, I was elected president of the M&A Society. The society pools together students that have a strong interest in deal-making, and it is a platform for us to bring in guest speakers and create insightful events. As president of the M&A Society, I have worked closely with the Mergers & Acquisitions Research Center (MARC) at Cass; the leading research center/think-tank in M&A intelligence.
This year the M&A Society is hosting the M&A Conference, the first of what we hope to become an annual series. The conference has secured leading deal-makers as participants, and it will help showcase Cass and our research center as the leading faculty for M&A.
How would you describe your experience of living in London?
London is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and welcoming city, that prospers due to its ability to attract talent internationally. I enjoy living and working in London, for these aspects. And afterall, where else is more suited than studying finance than in the heart of the City of London!
Good info, but prefer London Business School!
Sure, I think the MSc Management (pre-experience) there is a good alternative, although they should let you tailor electives more towards corporate finance
dude we get it you love cass and it places people into BB FO and is a good school no doubt. you dont need to try to convince everybody on here that this is the case.
go and enjoy the last couple of months before you start FT,
haha thanks!
Nico thanks for that, one thing I didn't see is the Masters program tite. was it quant finance or finance? Did you take the take the option for a project or more module? Do IBs visit the campus?
Thx!
-I did a quant programme undergrad and a pure finance programme post grad. -I did the dissertation in undergrad, and decided to do modules for post grad. Instead of the research project in MSc, we can chose 5 modules worth 15 credits each.
I chose one "supermodule" which was the certificate in IFRS, and this actually counts for 45 credits (3 modules), and chose the M&A elective (Professor Scott Moeller), and the Private Equity Elective
I bet you work for Cass in the marketing team. Go on, admit it.
Why don't you post a link to a profile of a guy from a top firm that went to Cass?
love how Clarkey had to come hate.
Cass is an up and coming school but lots of alumni hold top ranks. CEO of BNY Mellon is a cass alumni...
Have a look at our current Dean, Richard Gillingwater. he is the non-exec of debenhams and a number of uk companies and made his career in corp fin.
Hahahahhahahahahahahahah
Zain Latif seems do be doing alright.
^ LOL.
This thread has now come to a closure.
ugghhh
just stop
did you do this interview with yourself, it seems so absolutely fake
Yeah, just stop with this Cass propaganda. Even if it is a good school, your incessant claims of its elite status isnt convincing anyone.
If anything, I would just avoid the school because I would meet douches like you.
Just got accepted into cass, Does anyone know how good the MSc in Financial Mathematics program is?
Good programme if you want to go into trading or risk management. I think Investment Management is a better course, and places well for hedge funds
I am looking at this programme as well. How fast did they reply? Do you mind sharing your profile with us?
They replied in a month or so. GPA: 3.83/4.00 Major: 3.95/4.00 Major: Mathematics and Economics Internship: Morgan Stanley Work Experience: AP Geometry for Teach For America GMAT: N/A
I hope this helps.
Cass worked for me in NY - gret job, MSC in Investment Management Program placed 9 out of 10 my close contacts at a hf, pe or ib role in London. LBS will always dominate in Europe but think Cass is 2 in London bc of strong network.
Congrats LoneWolf. Did you go to UG in the states?
My wife goes to Cass and I go to LBS. The two things are not even comparable, Cass is worse than any state uni in the US, not to mention LBS. Their MSc Finance is really badly organised and gives a sh&t about their students in general..
I wonder in what dreamworld it is #1 school in London. :D
William Castell13 – Chairman of the Wellcome Trust and a Director of General Electric and BP, former CEO of Amersham plc Peter Cullum – British entrepreneur Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou – Founder of easyGroup Bob Kelly – CEO of Bank of New York Mellon, former CFO of Mellon Financial Corporation and Wachovia Corporation14 Muhtar Kent – CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. Formerly, President and COO of Coca-Cola International and Executive Vice President of The Coca-Cola Company Syed Ali Raza – President and Chairman of the National Bank of Pakistan Liu Mingkang - Former Chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission[15]
City University - Cass Business School (Originally Posted: 03/07/2007)
http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/
Has anyone heard of it? How does it place into IB? Is it worth attending?
They have two programs I am interested in
BSc Investment and Financial Risk Management http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/undergrad/courses/bscifrm/index.html
BSc Banking and International Finance http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/undergrad/courses/bscbif/index.html
Which one seems more appropriate for someone trying to break into IB?
Any information would be of help. Thanks in advance.
I hear it's pretty good, actually. For London IB, of course.
i have heard it is good, but i read otherwise in here. http://www.ibtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3444
still, they say it is good
A lot of the people there were Russians just waiting until they got their work permit (the way the British system works....) I don't actually know anyone from there who landed a job at an IB but I think this is more of a reflection of the people I know rather than the school - they are pretty highly rated I think.
I'm final year BSc Banking & International Finance right now. Virtually evryone goes to IBs, those that don't go to accounting. Deutsche Bank are big hirers of Cass people, Credit Suisse also but not to the same extent. Just in my circle of friends I know of 2x Deutsche (IDB & PWM), 1 UBS IBD, 1 ABN AMRO (unknown division), 2x Credit Suisse (Derivatives trading I thnk), 1 JPMorgan (unknown div) 1 BNP Paribas (trading) 2x RBC Capital Markets.
As for the Russians comment, there are quite a few, but they're actually amongst the best achievers.
There are a lot of their grads going to the bank I'll be at in London, but very few in front office.
How does Cass place into the States?
From my experience, cass is not well known in the states at all. Im from ny but studied abroad in london at cass so it was on my resume and people alwaysss asked about it in interviews. having said that, they werent necessarily asking in a negative way, they just had never heard of it.
I hope it is good i may go there next year
where is that
"Has anyone heard of it"? They're ranked 2nd in the UK, 4th in Europe and 21st in the world by the Financial Times in 2008. Also apparently they're the largest European provider of specialist MSc degrees in financial services according to businessbecause.
But to answer your question, they're in London =)
Yeah, have to be surprised if an employer hasn't heard of them - employers are more swayed by rankings than the marketing/branding of a school.
Cass and its affiliated university, City University London, are complete shit.
The only good thing about Cass is maybe its finance programme. That being said, you are better off going to Warwick, Imperial, LSE, Oxford, Cambridge, UCL not to mention several other schools.
This.
I've been using a business student networking site to get into contact with some students/alumni from Cass. They helped me with by giving me some interview techniques: http://www.businessbecause.com/cass-business-school.htm
what's your point?
Bath for the placement year. It's all about work experience unless you have offers from LSE/Oxbridge.
Can someone comment on the magnitude of difference between Cass and UCL?
Cass Moving Up the Ladder (Originally Posted: 11/19/2010)
While CASS is already well ranked generally - if you look at research alone it ranks as high as 3rd in Europe.
"Finance research from Cass Business School, which is part of City University London, has been ranked third best in Europe and second in the UK, according to a new study to be published by the European Financial Management Journal."
More about CASS's finance ranking here: http://www.businessbecause.com/business-school-news/finance-research-fr…
Probably the best business school on earth
Cass Business Schools MSc (Originally Posted: 03/17/2011)
Hey, I was wondering how much acknowledged is Cass business school when in comes to investment banking. There are several courses offered. What do you think of
MSc in Banking and International Finance MSc in Financial Mathematics MSc in Quantitave Finance
Much appreciated!
Cass is not a target school in the UK, even though several kids from Cass make it to FO roles.
If you have the opportunity to go to LSE/Imperial/UCL instead, do consider these schools.
You have a PhD in laser physics according to your other thread...more school is not the answer dude
Of course, for consulting i'm ok but for IB i feel i have to do some more!
to start as an analyst after you have a PhD (by getting an MSc)?
get some experience and work, dont do a MSc after a PhD it does not make any sense really. look for some quant focused roles and go out there
Well I have 2.5 years of work exp but on telecomms industry. senior manager.
just network.
yeah i just saw your other thread, sorry about that. but it still does not make sense to get an MSc. and by quant role i meant finance related where you can get in with a Phd, anything really for now. then as suggested spread a net and start meeting people. if you are already in london even easier.
Thx for that. Your point is understandable and I share the same opinion...is just a question of forcing these people to see you in an IB role. U do that better with a degree from Tier 1 uni. I agree with all of you on the networking part.
laser physics phd? that's just fucking cool tho
I don't know why people keep saying Cass is not a target. I have almost always met someone from Cass at assessment centres and two of the Associates in my team at a BB (cap markets) were from Cass. It has a good representation in London in BB FO roles.
Edit: Why did i get monkey poo for this? anti-Cass much?
yep would also say its a target, maybe not on the same level as oxbridge, lse but definitively sending loads of people into BBs.
Not a target, some people get in but thats only because it is in London.
Wasnt a single CASS person in my intern class and grad program might be 1.
Definite target- I declined imperial for Cass. best decision ever
Would anyone say there would be a benefit to doing study abroad at Warwick instead of Cass? I have heard it does not matter what institution you go to unless it is super prestigious; so I figure Cass because it is in London. Any thoughts?
Warwick is prestigious enough, I can tell you that. Especially its Financial Mathematics MSc. Can open a lot of door for you. Between the two (War & Cass) I would go for Warwick in terms of interest of the curicullum. On the other hand Cass is in the heart of London, offeres a variety of MSc with very decent course structure comparable to LSE (in my opinion) but not anywhere near the name LSE it has on the market.
Super prestigious in most of the cases means that you get to be teached by the best and with a superbly structured curiculum take for instance Oxbridge and Imperial...LSE does not fall into this category for me. there are at least another 4 unis with better or the same course structure as LSE but you dont get the same impact.
Cass Business School (Originally Posted: 10/04/2011)
Ok,i know there are plenty of such threads but i really dont know what to believe.Some say that is a target school for its masters,while some others say that is completely non target,although some students got great jobs(Moodys,Goldman Sachs etc) after their graduation.Ok,maybe they graduated on top of their class and thats why they got hired from top firms,but i still think that the majority of the graduates get nice jobs at the banking sector,especially in London.What is your opinion guys?
I would also like to know this. Linkedin is riddled with cass front office, while (keep in mind older) post say its not target. Do banks show up for recruiting/ how are all these people networking in?
Got an offer from Cass - MSc in Banking & International Finance (got a little problem) (Originally Posted: 05/09/2013)
Hey,
So I just got an offer from Cass Business School for their MSc in Banking & International Finance.
I'm quite pleased but I've got a big problem; they want me to give an answer by May 29th. I've also applied to Bocconi, St.Gallen and Warwick. I'll only be getting answers from Bocconi and St.Gallen at the beginning of June. As for Warwick, it's on a rolling-basis so I could get the answer tomorrow or in a month...
This is what it says on the offer paper: "...to accept this offer and secure your place please submit your response form and pay your deposit of GBP 2000 at the latest by 29 May 2013".
I'm gonna send them an email to ask but do you think they'd be willing to give me an extension to decide? I can't decide if I don't have all the answers. The whole point of applying to many programs is to have all the answers in front of you and then decide...Imagine if I accept Cass' offer but then get positive answers from St.Gallen or Bocconi, which are arguably better programs...
On a side note, Cass was more of a "secondary" choice for me. It's one of the most expensive ones and living in London is 10x more expensive that St.Gallen, Milan or Warwick so... It also lasts a year while the others are two years long. The reputation of Cass is also a bit lower than the rest of the ones I applied to so I really hope I get another offer.
I've been asking around a lot and it seems like there are mixed reports. Some say it's really great, has excellent connections with the City, has amazing infrastructures. But others are saying that it's not all that great, that it's really expensive for what it provides...
In applying to Cass, I really wanted to expand my opportunities and maximize my chances of getting accepted somewhere.
(On a side note, my goal is IB)
I had to look Cass up after reading your question Hold out for as long as you can, wait and see if you can get a better offer If you need a compelling reason for Cass as to why you need more time to decide, tell them that you're trying to sort out your finances to see if you can actually afford to go the school or not. Hopefully, with this reason, they'll be a little more sympathetic, and more likely to give you an extension
Also, ask them if scholarship information/financial aid is available. Maybe they'll give you extra time to sort that shit out
Lol is that a bad sign?
Yeah I think I'll give the financing reason.
What do you guys think of this program and Cass in general?
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