Which Master degree in Finance in my situation?

Question

Hey guys

I'm planning on starting a Master degree in Finance in September 2014.

Profile:

-Swiss, speak English and French, but no German (which will impact my decision on which Master degree I decide to undertake)
-GMAT: 680
-TOEFL: 104
-currently undertaking an internship in a bulge bracket bank in back office (FX Derivs area)
-should be able to secure a FO internship in FX E-sales (interview next week)
-bachelor degree in Economics from average Swiss Uni, grades not great but very good bachelor degree thesis (professor said it was the best he had ever read). Also my grades improved over the 3 years so it shows progression. But again, not great.

Since I do not speak German, I think the best option for me is to do a Master degree in the UK. That way, the language issue will be gone.

My goal is IB in London. Therefore, I was thinking of applying to the following programs:

-LSE: Master in Finance
-Warwick: Master in Finance
-Cass: Master in Banking and International Finance or Master in Finance (got an offer here for the MSc in B. and Int. F. this summer but turned it down because in the end, I figured I needed experience since it was a 1 year degree)

Others that might be good but dont have as big of a "finance" image than above:

-Oxford: MFE
-Imperial: Master in Finance

Then there are other Euro programs that are apparently very good:

-SSE
-Bocconi
-HEC
-ESSEC

I'm not too keen on not going to the UK but who knows, I might change my mind. Also I don't really feel like writing a 100 page Master degree thesis. If it can be avoided, then great.

Are there any that I forgot and that I might have a shot at?

It would be amazing if I could get input from you guys.

Thanks

MSFHQ · Answer

I think you have the bulk of them. Maybe INSEAD's new MSF should be added. I know many of the continental European programs place in London so don't feel like you need to go to a UK school. LSE also has a ton of MSc programs, some easier to get into than others. From what I hear they all enjoy the same recruiting so might be something to consider/look into more.

Juz2play · Answer

Hi, I am wondering whether IE is as good as Warwick or LSE? I hope you can share your useful insight :-D

MSFHQ · Answer

I would say (I could be wrong) that IE and Warwick are on the same level, while LSE is slightly above.

Juz2play · Answer

Let me kindly ask you one more question. How would you rank CASS, Warwick, Imperial, and IE? I plan to work in either Singapore or Hong Kong (investment banking). I would appreciate your response.

MSFHQ · Answer

Let me just say I think they are all good programs and I am not an expert on UK programs and placements. I'd probably rank IE and Imperial above Cass and Warwick.

I say this simply because I hear more good things about those two programs and more people seem to be interested in them. If someone has boots on the ground in the UK and can talk more intelligently on this I will politely defer.

swissstud · Answer

thanks for your responses guys.

I managed to secure an Investment Bank Front office internship position and I am starting beginning of February, ending end of July. It's FX Sales in another BB bank. I'm so relieved and glad. I think this will really increase my chances at getting into a top program.

Thing is, I'm still going to work as hard as I can to secure a Full-time position at the end of this internship. The team asked me what I planned to do after the internship and I said that according to what happens, if I get an offer from you for a FT, I'd accept, and if I don't, I'll start a Master degree. I know that securing a FT offer, especially in IB FO, after an off-cycle internship is really tough, but I'll give 100% to do so.

Therefore I'm still going to apply to MSF programs as a backup option.

So, on a side note, how long can one hold an offer from one of these top MSF programs? I'll be starting the program in September but will probably only know whether or not I decide to accept it in July when my internship ends and I know if I'll be offered a Full-time position...

My dream has always been to study in an English speaking country but I might consider continental europe programs as well. With my profile and my time frame, which programs do you guys suggest I apply to?

Looking at my grades, I think I have literally no chance at LSE MSF and Oxbridge. Plus I'd be applying there really late so it's more competitive.

What do you guys think of the LBS MiM? I know it's management but several people have suggested me this program as it has the LBS brand name and you can actually specialize your degree quite a bit in Finance. Apparently it places very well in IBD and S&T in the City.

So taking all this into account, my grades, my 2 IB internships, 680 GMAT, my overall profile, so far, I think I can/should apply to:

- LSE Master in Accounting & Finance  (I really think my back office finance internship will give me an edge)
- Warwick Master in Finance  (a grade lower than LSE MSF and Oxbridge but still one of top programs in UK)
- Imperial Master in Finance   (places extremely well I heard, especially in quantitative roles)
- Cass Master in Banking and International Finance/Master in Finance  (I think I can get in, I got in last year without my 2 internships)
- LBS MiM

thanks again guys.

MSFHQ · Answer

I don't know how long you can hold onto an acceptance letter. Would depend on when the program started. I would imagine that if a program started in the summer/fall you could have it as a backup.

I'd focus on the job right now. Even if you don't get a FT offer it seems as if this is some great experience. Do well, network and you'll either get an offer or be able to leverage this experience for an offer at another bank.

swissstud · Answer

For sure, I'm gonna focus on the job. But I still think that applying to 3-4 good programs is a good idea, you can never be too sure.

Getting the job after my internships is my goal, absolutely no question. In Sales, I know that going from an off-cycle internship to a FT, even with a bachelor degree, is possible, but it's going to be tough. The Sales force at most IB BB divisions is not exactly expanding at the moment, rather the opposite.

So in terms of programs to apply to, I think I have a pretty good shot at these:

LSE Master A&F
LBS MiM
Warwick MSF
Imperial MSF

what do you guys think?

swissstud · Answer

What do you guys think?

Also, anyone else have an opinion on Cass for MSc? I've been trying to get info on this school but as always I'm getting very mixed reviews. It goes from the "it's not worth the money and doesn't place well" to "it's very underrated compared to LSE, Oxbridge,.... but places extremely well in IB FO".

swissstud · Answer

What do you guys think?

Also, anyone else have an opinion on Cass for MSc? I've been trying to get info on this school but as always I'm getting very mixed reviews. It goes from the "it's not worth the money and doesn't place well" to "it's very underrated compared to LSE, Oxbridge,.... but places extremely well in IB FO".

Which Master degree in Finance in my situation?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards