Imperial Management vs. LSE International Relations

I just received my offer for Imperial's MSc International Management. I already accepted LSE's offer for the MSc International Political Economy, so I'm already a bit set on that. Is this the right decision?

For context, I am not sure on my career ambitions after the program, but I will be targeting management consultancies and other business roles (with 1 or 2 IB applications, probably).

 

Really? I've also read on this forum that you need a finance-focused degree to get into BB/EB/MM front-office roles. Not that it matters at this point since I'm for sure proceeding with the LSE program, but can you provide a bit more insight if possible? It would help when knowing what I stand a chance at in the job/internship application process in London.

 
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Would err towards Imperial. Some thoughts (not sure if these are helpful):

  • Imperial and LSE are roughly seen as equal for placement in most industries - LSE probably has marginally better PE/IB placements, Imperial (in proportion to applicant numbers) tends to place better for MBB, HFs, and S&T/quant
  • Both, broadly speaking, are slightly above UCL and Warwick and slightly below Oxbridge - for MBB, the gap between Oxbridge and LSE/Imperial and then those and UCL/Warwick is much larger than it is in finance 
  • Imperial's Business School is seen as weaker than the College
  • IPE is one of the few IR-focused courses at LSE that has reasonable professional services placement
  • Holborn or S.Ken?
  • IPE will be an academic environment, Management will be an applied and networking-heavy environment - probably more social, but also more competitive
  • If you didn't do a quant-heavy UG (STEM/econ/finance), I would choose Imperial as it's got a good reputation there and IPE does not scream "I can do maths"
  • If you did do a quant-heavy UG, really depends on what you want - I'd say Imperial Management is probably less of a risk, but LSE IPE should get you where you want to go - esp. if targeting more consultancies than IB
 

Thanks for your input. At LSE, I’m taking a course in mathematics and statistics starting in a week, which would enable me to take MSc-level economics courses. I also have a relatively quantitative background (economics undergrad at a good university). LSE IPE also enables students to take almost two-fifths of the program in other departments like finance or management. Issue is that the finance courses I can take are a bit basic.

My view with LSE is that it’s a more prestigious program in a more prestigious department, and I already have a relevant undergrad and can take some relevant courses during my masters. On the other hand, I do get that ICLs MiM is more vocational and could better set me up for a job. FWIW I have a merit-based partial scholarship at ICL.

Do these factors at all change your view? I’m leaning more toward LSE at the moment honestly. My deadline to respond to ICL is tomorrow afternoon hahah.

 

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