[geoff185]

Hi - I'm graduating from the University of Bristol this year, probably with a 2.1 in Law. I don't want to go into law, but will be aiming to get a place with one of the large consultancy firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain etc). I've just received an offer from Imperial for the 1-year MSc Management. The course content sounds interesting, but I was wondering if it'll really have any impact on my job applications. What are your thoughts? Worth the £20,000 tuition plus ~£10k cost of living in London?

The alternative is a bit off-the-wall: 10 months teaching English in China. Hopefully, I'll pick up some decent Mandarin and might even apply to some HK/Shanghai jobs as well as City ones...

[dugdugdug]

Teaching in Hong Kong can pay around £50-60K, lecturing easily the six-figure mark.

Tax is a flat rate 15%, so it might be a better option than the consultancy 70+ hours per week.

[rohitbose]

i know its out of line, but i am somewhat in a similar situation, except that i've got an offer for UCL MSc Management.
and the alternative for me is to continue working with my father in his business.
In my undergrad, i have done computer science.
Anyone helping geoff185 maybe can throw some light on whether UCL MSc management is worth spending 21K and that to for an international student.

[dugdugdug]

(Original post by rohitbose)
i know its out of line, but i am somewhat in a similar situation, except that i've got an offer for UCL MSc Management.
and the alternative for me is to continue working with my father in his business.
In my undergrad, i have done computer science.
Anyone helping geoff185 maybe can throw some light on whether UCL MSc management is worth spending 21K and that to for an international student.

You're in an eviable position, to be able to work in the family business and therefore probably have less risk if you make the wrong decision, if that's possible.

I think ultimately you have to decide what is the main reason for choosing to do postgraduate studies. Is it to carve out a career for yourself and stand on your own two feet or do you really enjoy studying, with a view to staying in academia?

Given your undergraduate degree was Computer Science, a management postgraduate degree is not very scientific and unless you want to pursue a career in finance, it might be tough to motivate yourself.

[geoff185]

Thanks dugdugdug - I'm not looking for a career in teaching, though I had no idea academia could be so well paid. The issue is whether I would be at a significant disadvantage if I spent a year in China rather than a year doing the MSc. I just wonder whether or not the MSc is better suited to non-UK graduates who want a heavy-weight institution on their CV to get work in London. Perhaps not as valuable for a UK graduate?

[dugdugdug]

(Original post by geoff185)
Thanks dugdugdug - I'm not looking for a career in teaching, though I had no idea academia could be so well paid. The issue is whether I would be at a significant disadvantage if I spent a year in China rather than a year doing the MSc. I just wonder whether or not the MSc is better suited to non-UK graduates who want a heavy-weight institution on their CV to get work in London. Perhaps not as valuable for a UK graduate?

I think it'll be a good idea to do the MSc.

I agree it's quite a lot of money but these days everyone has a degree so in order to single yourself out, even if it's only a bit (because more people are doing masters as well), having another degree on top of law would stand you in good stead.

You are not looking for a career in academia, at least not now but who knows what the future may hold? You could be fed up with consultancy after a few years and may want to change track.

As you're still a student, it's easier to get motivated studying now than when you've started to earn money and have to take time out later for it.

There are a fair few international students doing finance related masters (maybe just to gain a UK qualification) but the majority doing the Imperial Finance masters is that they want to gain a thorough understanding and prepare themselves for quant related jobs.

[TBD]

Take a break, do the teaching, get some experience of the world. The MSc will still be there when you get back with some money.

TBD

[geoff185]

Thanks TBD - having considered my options, I think that might be best. Perhaps the graduate job market will have picked up a bit by then too...