UK MSc Finance
Hi!
I have recently been admitted to Imperial's MSc in Investment and Wealth Management.
While this program was my top choice in the first place, I have read/heard many people saying LSE, LBS and Oxford are far better options and place much better into top firms. How big is the difference between Imperial and those three schools?
I did my undergrad in Economics at a top UK university, and while many of my friends want to go into IB, I am leaning towards buy-side finance - hence why Imperial's program looks so interesting to me.
I would love to get more opinions, especially from Imperial alumni and anyone who has experience working with/recruiting students from the schools listed above. How do these programs compare? And more importantly, am I making the right choice going for Imperial considering that I don't want to go into IB? The course looks more quantitative than LSE's and more adapted to my career prospects than LBS', but I don't want to regret that decision.
For more information, I am still waiting on LBS and haven't applied to LSE (perhaps it's not too late?).
Thank you!
The MSc Finance at Imperial would be much more quantitative and targeted by employers compared to the MSc in Investment and Wealth Management.
Considering that the classes are 85% the same in both courses, wouldn't it be the same? The main difference between the MSc Finance and the MSc IWM is that Finance students take a core module called Corporate Finance while IWM students take Asset Allocation and Investment Strategies. Then, it all comes down to electives for which IWM's seem more quantitative.
I might be wrong, but both programs seem to be quantitative.
That may be the case but is still viewed differently by employers.
The ranking at Imperial would be:
1. MSc Finance
2. MSc Finance & Accounting
3. MSc Investment and Wealth Management.
I would say that the Imperial MSc IWM is just below the normal MFin in terms of placement, but only because of the weaker profiles entering the program.
Overall It's a top program that open every door in London.
Okay that makes sense, I was expecting that to be honest.
I keep seeing some of your comments about Imperial on WSO, can you dm me please? I have a few more questions and wouldn't want to overcrowd this thread with them. I'm also a new member so I can't send private messages yet.
LSE, LBS and Oxford are far better options. The Imperial MSc in finance is not even a target imo. Wait for LSE and LBS. Good luck
even less the other less important masters...
What do you mean by that?
from experience
If I may ask, what's your experience?
I'm trying to understand what you base your opinion on. Sure, LSE has a better reputation than Imperial, I'll agree with that. But how do you measure that difference, are you a hiring manager? Work in IB or AM maybe?
What even is your experience, exactly? LinkedIn placements and testimonies by actual students/alumni/London employees I've spoken to seem to contradict everything you're saying. OP, take this guy's advice with a huge grain of salt. As to your questions, the MFin is better for PE/HF roles within Imperial, but it will come down to whatever relevant experience you have. I'd say the LSE MFin/MFin & PE would've been better options overall, but assuming you have a strong profile and know how to prepare for the recruiting process, you'll still tick the target uni box and move forward. Grades also don't matter much, given how early recruiting begins.
Would you say that it applies to all career paths? I thought that was mainly the case for IB, considering LSE and LBS students often target IB careers.
And I haven't applied to LSE, do you think it would make sense to apply now?
I would next year round 1
Don't listen to this guy, he's a frustrated Warwick alumnus
No man Imperial is a target for STEM just put it on another post
Haha makes sense then, I actually took some time to look through his other answers on similar threads - seems like he’s got something against Imperial.
I might more unfamiliar with the UK job market but wouldn’t it make more sense to obtain the CFA rather than spend on a masters in order to get into asset management? You mention graduating from a top undergrad school so you already have brand on the resume. The CFA would have the rigour and content necessary for portfolio management and traditional investment strategies if that’s what you’re going for. Again, not familiar with the UK or Europe but the CFA seems like a cheaper option.
The good thing about Imperial's MSc is that it's CFA Affiliated, meaning that I will be preparing the CFA Levels 1 and 2 during the program.
I will definitely be taking the CFA as soon as I can.
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