LSE MSc Finance & Private Equity vs. MBA in Canada for Equity Research and immigration
Hi!
I have an unconditional offer to do MSc Finance & Private Equity program at LSE. It is without doubt one of the best MSc Finance programs, and I am happy to receive an offer but I am very concerned about the possibilities of working in the UK after the graduation. I am a non-EU international student and I have heard that it is nearly impossible for people without work permit to find any job in the UK. In the case I will not be able to secure a single offer in the UK, I will have to return to my home country, which is currently in VERY VERY VERY DEEP recession. Most investment banks do not hire anymore, and some are even closed their offices. There are almost zero jobs in the finance sector available, and people with 3+ years experience in IB have to apply for entry-level positions in companies like Big4 (or worse). I personally have 2 years experience in IB but haven't been able to land any decent job for the last 6 months. So it would be a disaster for me to spend all my savings on LSE, return home with a huge amount of debt and try to find a job on a dead market.
At the moment I have been thinking about the possibility to immigrate to Canada by getting an MBA there. It seems that I will be able to receive 3-year Canadian work permit and apply to more senior positions than in the case with LSE. I have passed CFA Level II and will be a charterholder by the time I finish MBA.
After the graduation I would like to work for some boutique equity research firm or investment fund. Which is better for that: MSc at LSE or MBA in Canada (Rotman, Ivey)? Am I too risk-averse and worry too much about job prospects in the UK or is the situation with work visas really as grim as it seems to be?
I would really appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks!