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KCL vs. Cass

Hi all,

I am from Germany and currently involved in my postgraduate application process.

As I got two offers
1. KCL (new MSc Banking and Finance)
and
2. Cass (MSc Banking and int. Finance)

it would be very kind to hear your opinion.

Based on my research, I feel like KCL has a better overall reputation, maybe also a consequence of its history. On th other side, I do not know whether the before mentioned course which is commencing in 2016 for the first time, will develop well and catch attention within the finance industry on a positive way. Cass would may be a little less prestigious, but at least you would know what you can expect and moreover, it is ensured that the connection to the industry is provided.

What do you think? I am planning to work after my studies either in Corporate Finance or in Consulting (Tier 2 institutions would be sufficient).
Is KCL too risky or recommendable?

Thanks in advance!
MaPe

Reply 1

Tcannon

You need to distinguish btw parent uni and MSc Banking and Finance programme offered at both business schools. King's as a parent uni has the better reputation, but this reputation is actually earned mainly by traditional faculties (medicine, law, languages, humanities). King's management department is a recent addition and most of its MSc programmes are new and untested. It has a smaller alumni base for its business students and industry contacts are not as deep. How do strong law, medicine and humanities benefit in your personal & professional development? UK HR know the difference. I think KCL's course (see syllabus) does not have advanced electives compared to Warwick, ICL, LSE and Cass. Corporate Finance recruitment is highly selective and firms use target unis. I would be reluctant to sign up with a new course as it is untested, profs are not fully integrated and firms need to be convinced about new course. I would be surprised if career center can provide first class support in Corp Fin jobs. You will be a guinea pig while paying prohibitive tuition, only mugs do it.

On the other hand, you have Cass that has an established MSc Finance course. It is considered as one of the best along with LBS, LSE, ICL, WBS and MBS. Cass has developed good industry contacts with the City and placed students in relevant finance jobs. It has better facilities such as IT and trading room. There are some good profs who also worked in finance. I believe you will find a better calibre of students at Cass. One often see applicants rejected at Cass, but admitted at KCL management course.

Imagine: German student reads MSc Business at Frankfurt Uni (mid ranking for parent uni, not excellence uni in surveys, but very strong business school and contacts with banking) = Cass.
Marburg: Old uni with history and tradition, parent uni does well in ranking. But its business school is mediocre. = KCL

Reply 2

MaPe

Hi Tcannon,

thank you very much for your quick response; I see your point!

However, King's might be the right University for me if German recruiter do not distinguish between parent uni and Business School/Department of Management as UK HR do.. Thus, I definetly have to get some more information about that.

Even if the KCL's Career Center (or other uni-events) can not provide a sufficient entry channel for Corporate Finance, do you think that Tier 2 IB appreciate applications from KCL students in the UK (even if it's no target uni)? I mean universties like St. Andrews are also no target uni but do quite well in CF...

And do you see any chances in the new MSc Banking and Finance of KCL to develop well over a short period of time?

Thank you in advance!
MaPe

Reply 3

Oilfreak1

General rule of thumb First 3 tiers can be lumped into 1 category very very little between the 7 (Locally, internationally LSE,LBS and Oxbridge totally destroy the others).

1) LBS, LSE, SBS (Oxford)
2) ICBS, WBS, CJBS (Cambridge)
--Gap--
3) UCL
--- No more targets ---
4) MBS, Cass
5) Strathclyde, Aston a bunch of other obscure B-Schools

After all of these comes KCL, so I would say generally speaking Cass>/=KCL because as things currently stand KCL isn't even considered "second tier" in corporate finance.
That being said be sure to speak KCL about careers as the considerably stronger reputation of KCL could help significantly outside of London (If it were say MBS vs KCL it would be much easier to say MBS with Manchester being a global powerhouse and all).

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 4

Tcannon

What is the feedback from Investment Banking recruiters in Germany when you posed this question? I would be intrigued to learn. The German recruiter would ignore basic Business School rankings such as FT, Economist. Cass is featured and ranked, KCL is not even featured. I just see more Cass people in the City and know a German guy with Cass MBA at a German bank. You are making the mistake to be swayed by brand of parent uni. For master's, the department and course are more relevant. You can get an equal education at lower cost in Germany or Holland. If you intend to invest £ in your education and have good grades, you can aim higher than KCL MSc Finance. Why not ICL, LSE or are these parent unis less regarded in Germany?

St Andrews as parent uni is actually now higher ranked and more selective (NC) than KCL. See Will & Kate factor. StA and Edinburgh are target uni in the milkround. If your uni is not target uni with campus presentation & recruitment, your speculative application ends up in the general pile. Good luck with that.

Unlikely given the glut of competition and it is a big IF, KCL's strategy is to piggyback on parent uni's reputation. KCL MSc Finance can't establish a profile even among London competition: LBS, LSE, ICL, Cass, UCL. Add Oxbridge, WBS, Cranfield, MBS just have stronger MSc Finance.

Reply 5

MaPe

Thank you very much, both of you!

You gave me some good reasons to prefer Cass. I wasn't aware of the importance of the Business School as I have the feeling that German recruiter are usually asking for the University you are visiting rather than after your programme... Anyway, my objective is also to create international work possibilities, therefore KCL won't be my choice.

I guess, you both agree that Cass is better than Trinity College Dublin and Strathclyde?

I have been also accepted at these universities and I am currently waiting for a decision form LSE + Imperial.

Thank you again for your help!

Reply 6

Oilfreak1

Original post by MaPe

Trinity idk
But strath has a huge business school I would say between strathclyde and Cass its down to your own personal preference. (London factor versus inflated course price)

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 7

Tcannon

Interestingly for undergrad courses, HR looks at your parent uni first. Hence you see lot of Oxbridge grads who did not study business at all. The quality of the parent uni carries and it is target uni for most industries. I think for master's, UK HR looks at departments and course as it is specialised master's. Example: City and Heriot Watt are strong in MSc Actuarial Sciences.

Hope it works out with ICL and LSE admissions. This would solve all your concerns. Great parent uni, strong course, target uni, international recognition, quality profs and students.

I thought German firms look at your subject first and uni second as qualifications in job ads. "MSc Business or Engineering essential"

Reply 8

MashedPotat0

I'd advise against going for CASS. I'm from a lower end russell group school, and I know 2 guys who barely scored 2:1 from my school and they were offered CASS. They've even gotten a few third classes throughout their undergraduate studies. My impression is that the school accepts anyone as long as it brings in money.

Reply 9

Oilfreak1

Original post by MashedPotat0

Yeah this reputation seems prevalent for Cass, they seem to accept anyone. No doubt the b-school enjoys a great reputation but it's not the most selective b-school by any means.

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