MSc Finance LSE/Imperial/LBS/Warwick

Of course, I hope someone can provide some insight on the topic for you.

In my opinion if you are going PURELY for the job prospects, go to Cass. The course has got very good employment stats and I think you will be open to a lot of London based opportunities such as network events. Have a look at the Financial Times stats for Cass MSc Finance, it must place quite well into the market.

I don't know anything about a financial management course, but in my view if you want a job in finance you are much better going for a Finance/econ degree rather than a management one. New courses are also quite risky. Yes, they are part of a reputed institute, but do you really want to be the guinea pig?

If you are thinking about other aspects, then I would consider Warwick. I think its nicer to have Warwick on your CV, given its long standing reputation, rather than just a good business school linked with City uni. In addition, I much prefer a campus lifestyle to a London one. Live next to the business school, cheap living costs, etc... Remember, you want to enjoy the year too!

Hi Stefan! Thank you so much for the much needed insight. Appreciate ya!

I am primarily looking for the career opportunities post-graduation. And I agree new courses are super risky even though it has Warwick brand stamped on it.

Again, thank you Stefan! Very helpful

~72.5% average all 3 years in Econ at Exeter
~80% average in finance modules i've taken




A target is a target indeed, hard to accurately describe opportunity differences between the top ones. Does that happen to be the Grundy fund or whatever its called? Received an email about that one.

Same for me too - don't think I can even afford the 31k + living costs even if I get accepted to LBS

Excuse me for diverging from your original question op, but may I be so bold as to ask whether Warwick stated which part of your application was the "clinger" that made them offer you half the tuiton fees?
I am asking because I hope i get offered the same scholarahip, and will certaintly take it even if the lse offers me a place
(Ps i am applying next year for Msc Fin&Ec in both unis)
Thanks in advance!!

No problem, and not a clue, they didn't mention it in the offer or even when I spoke 1 on 1 at the open day. Just to note, I did received the scholarship offer 1 WEEK AFTER my initial offer.

My guesses for improving chances would be (in importance order)...

Grade and University - If not a UK Russel Group then at least a very well known non UK uni. I'd assume a first class predicted/obtained is almost mandatory unless you're from a VERY good uni, like top 5 UK equivalent

EU student - I'm not 100% sure but I think I read somewhere on the website EU students are favoured for this particular scholarship.

GMAT? - They don't care about it too much, but I did reach their threshold for a score that 'boosts my application' (700+)

Personal statement - Talk big about why you want to study there, really


Hope this helps, remember I'm just guessing! Let me know if you get in.

Thanks for the info, I reckon my chances are decent, escpecially if I ace the GRE which I am taking tommorrow!!
Fingers crossed :P

Hi guys i know this is really early but i am currently in my first year of studying Business at Cardiff and currently looking at prospective Finance MsC (preferably would like to go to LSE). I have strong A-levels of A*A*A however havent done maths at A-level. Would you recommend switching degree to economics or is placement in finance more important?

Its GREAT that you're focusing this early. LSE won't care about wether you had math at A levels or not. Try to sign up for Math/Stats courses at University or Accounting/Derivatives or any courses with some form of mathematical foundation.
Business Courses are good in the sense that they cover small aspects of everything from Economics to Finance to HR, but not in major detail.
LSE is a fantastic option, Oxford's MFE too has great career prospects

Thanks for your reply, really encouraging! I currently do modules in Statistical Analysis, Accounting and Economics and next year will hopefully have a second semester placement. I also aim to join the finance and trading society next year to further my CV/application. My main current issue is that i'm worried that Cardiff isn't as prestigious a institution as Warwick or Bath so currently think of transferring university for this sole reason! Do you think it's worth considering a change of course to Economics or not? Worried that I may struggle against competition who have more relevant degree disciplines and stronger university. Also apologies for the fairly novice questions but is it possible to go straight into an MsC from Undergraduate study? As i would preferably like to minimise the time spent in gap year etc...

Those are great modules to get into an MSc in Finance at a prestigious university, and focusing on Finance based societies is a great way to up your CV as universities as well as recruiters look for the extra efforts that a student makes during their undergrad, while getting good grades. Ive studied at Heriot Watt (Not a big name either) but appeared for CFA examinations and did a finance based internship at an average firm so luckily I was accepted into an MSc. As long as it is a UK university and you're applying for a UK MSc as well it shouldn't make a difference, but transferring is a personal decision you would have to make.
Personally, I feel that unless you're super passionate about specialising in Economics don't pursue it at an undergraduate level. The few Economic modules that you will study (Micro/macro at most) should be enough to apply to an MSc Finance and Economics or an MSc Finance at LSE or even the likes of Oxbridge.
Keep your grades up and get a few fancy sounding extracurriculars on your CV and you will be able to secure an admission RIGHT after undergraduate study, no gap year required.

But do ensure that you get an Honours degree as I didn't bother to pursue it (and regretted it) as there is heavy weightage given to those who hold it.

Happy to help

MSc Finance at Imperial / MSc Finance at LSE are both highly regarded schools and fabulous options with great employment rates!
Cass- Meh
Warwick- I was really enticed by WBS initially until I started asking around and (bear in mind this is information received from friends, online portals as this, etc and have NOT personally attended the university) and Ive heard a bunch of things- The coursework is divided into examinations and group assignments as most universities and majority and I mean almost 50% of the students are rich Indian kids who do not contribute as much which might affect your overall academic experience.
Now I am an Indian but I've worked way to hard to waste my time at a school with high rankings but a school which won't give me the academic environment I deserve.

Go to a University in London, sure you'll miss out on the experience of residing in a student city, but this is post grad after all and securing a good job should be a priority and no better place to bag one then London!

Those are great modules to get into an MSc in Finance at a prestigious university, and focusing on Finance based societies is a great way to up your CV as universities as well as recruiters look for the extra efforts that a student makes during their undergrad, while getting good grades. Ive studied at Heriot Watt (Not a big name either) but appeared for CFA examinations and did a finance based internship at an average firm so luckily I was accepted into an MSc. As long as it is a UK university and you're applying for a UK MSc as well it shouldn't make a difference, but transferring is a personal decision you would have to make.
Personally, I feel that unless you're super passionate about specialising in Economics don't pursue it at an undergraduate level. The few Economic modules that you will study (Micro/macro at most) should be enough to apply to an MSc Finance and Economics or an MSc Finance at LSE or even the likes of Oxbridge.
Keep your grades up and get a few fancy sounding extracurriculars on your CV and you will be able to secure an admission RIGHT after undergraduate study, no gap year required.

But do ensure that you get an Honours degree as I didn't bother to pursue it (and regretted it) as there is heavy weightage given to those who hold it.

Happy to help

Thanks for your reply, really encouraging! I currently do modules in Statistical Analysis, Accounting and Economics and next year will hopefully have a second semester placement. I also aim to join the finance and trading society next year to further my CV/application. My main current issue is that i'm worried that Cardiff isn't as prestigious a institution as Warwick or Bath so currently think of transferring university for this sole reason! Do you think it's worth considering a change of course to Economics or not? Worried that I may struggle against competition who have more relevant degree disciplines and stronger university. Also apologies for the fairly novice questions but is it possible to go straight into an MsC from Undergraduate study? As i would preferably like to minimise the time spent in gap year etc...

I agree, LSE is a tier above the rest, unfortunately i'm yet to receive an offer from them, and I've heard things about LSE too (poor student satisfaction etc). As for Imperial, i'm definitely turning it down due to the scholarship offer from Warwick, no way is it worth the extra $$$ given my financial situation. Maybe your friend is right, but from what I heard on the open day from the course administrator this isn't totally correct, regarding the structure of the course. The population is heavily rooted in favour of Chinese I believe too. Idk about MSc Finance, but MSc Acc and Fin ive been told is 80-90% Chinese students alone.

Oh then obviously that would be more accurate information! Either ways Warwick does look good on a resume so Id say go for it!
Getting a scholarship is super lucky and I'm going to be neck deep in debts after this so if I was in your place I'd probably pick the same route.
Good luck with whatever you choose



You're obviously out to succeed with a plan, which is a lot more than what I could've said for myself in first year. There is no doubt, if you succeed in your course, and whip up some good EC/Internship, you will get onto a good MSc course. If you're aiming for the top (LSE etc) I would heavily suggest looking to change to Bsc Economics.

LSE take huge focus on your mathematical background, and I would be highly surprised if a business degree would sufficiently provide that. I believe its almost a prerequisite at Exeter to take the 'Advanced Mathematics for Economists' module in order to stand a chance, which is what i've opted to do (and i'm still sceptical about my chances). Another alternative would be to absolutely murder the quant GMAT section, but this is a long shot. To put it into perspective, I've heard of a Science student at Imperial (obviously mathematically capable) being rejected from LSE, with good internships.

I'm not saying you're not LSE material potential, I'm saying if you're going for a heavily maths based course such as MSc finance at Imperial or LSE, you'll really have to do something special to prove you're up to the challenge in terms of quant ability. Remember your competition.

Yeah you might be right. Well I guess me passing my CFA examinations did lead me towards getting an offer from them, as I had a Business degree as well. And I didn't not submit GRE/GMAT scores either.
You have to make up for it either way, a sole degree would never quite cut it for LSE.

Good luck!

Well played, is that for MSc Finance? Well in terms of finance, a lot of standard university finance is CFA so I'm sure it contributed.

Mind sharing your profile? Did you say you had some good work experience?

Honestly speaking, those exams literally kill! It was horrible passing them while getting good grades at university, even with the advantages its not something I would recommend (Unless ones got photographic memory or doesn't care about a social life). I went to Heriot Watt, an average university and I'm about to give my finals. My work experience constitutes of a 2 month internship at a mediocre firm (after year 2) so I doubt that made a difference in their decision.

I have a first class though but I still think these top schools highly regard the CFA so slogging did pay up in the end!
(and yes, for MSc Finance.)

How did you get your CFA done?

Honestly speaking, those exams literally kill! It was horrible passing them while getting good grades at university, even with the advantages its not something I would recommend (Unless ones got photographic memory or doesn't care about a social life). I went to Heriot Watt, an average university and I'm about to give my finals. My work experience constitutes of a 2 month internship at a mediocre firm (after year 2) so I doubt that made a difference in their decision.

I have a first class though but I still think these top schools highly regard the CFA so slogging did pay up in the end!
(and yes, for MSc Finance.)