Cass MSc Finance class profile

My background:
- I attended MSc Finance during 16/17 at Cass.
- Studied Accounting & Finance from Warwick/Bath/Exeter/Lancaster type uni.

Class Profile:
- There are two big groups in the class: either from China or Europe.

- Mainly accounting, finance and economics background.

- For those studied in UK, they are from: UCL/ Durham/Warwick/Exeter/Lancaster. Some worked 1-2 years in finance experience.

The course:
- Investment, asset classes focus (material similar to MSc Investment Management)

- The material is not that difficult (many free time to explore London before mid-term) but the exam is quite challenging (see below). Good training in finance, valuation and Excel.

- For Accounting Student: it is harder for them to study because many of them lack of basic quantitative training like statistics, algebra (matrix) and calculus (taylor series)

- Term 1: Basic Training in Accounting and Finance (Financial Reporting, Asset Pricing, Corporate Finance, Econometrics)

Please note that the module “Financial Reporting” is quite challenging: from basic to very advanced materials (financial instruments, consolidate acc, fx accounting), steep learning curve.

- Term 2 Modules: topics in asset pricing, financial economics and empirical finance.

- Quite busy in term time: packed with projects, mid-term, career networking, job interviews and maybe CFA exams.

- Quite high failure rate for in Term 1 (25%-35%)

*Cass Grading System: 70% for distinction, 65% for merit (not 60%), 50% for pass.

- Teacher profile: Many did their PhD or taught in one of those uni before: Cambridge, LBS, LSE, Imperial.

- Cass reputation is quite strong in European area, less in Asia (compared with Warwick, LSE).

Other top finance courses in UK:

LBS: MFA or MiM (offers finance track)

Imperial: MSc Finance, MSc F&A, MSc IWM

Warwick: MSc Finance, MSc A&F

LSE: MSc Finance (and private equity), MSc A&F

Oxford: MFE