UCL in the 'top tier' in terms of Investment Banking

I know extra-curricular activities are important, but is UCL in the very top bracket for IB

May I also ask why LSE is regarded as having the premier economics department in the country (in particular why it's regarded so much better than UCL's).

Cheers

Reply 1

President_Ben

15

John5000

I know extra-curricular activities are important, but is UCL in the very top bracket for IB

May I also ask why LSE is regarded as having the premier economics department in the country (in particular why it's regarded so much better than UCL's).

Cheers

I think it'd be fair to say that the very top bracket is Oxbridge, LSE and Imperial. With a sub-bracket of UCL and Warwick below.

LSE is regarded as the best because they bring in many of the best staff (along with UCL, they are the only two unis for Economics who are 5*A for research). They do this by being able to pay more. LSE is also well-known as an investment banking factory - and for people taking economics, that matters (usually).

Reply 2

ba_ba1

10

i agree with you ben, but then whats all this stuff about UCL being in the g5??

Reply 3

John5000

OP

1

President_Ben

I think it'd be fair to say that the very top bracket is Oxbridge, LSE and Imperial. With a sub-bracket of UCL and Warwick below.

LSE is regarded as the best because they bring in many of the best staff (along with UCL, they are the only two unis for Economics who are 5*A for research). They do this by being able to pay more. LSE is also well-known as an investment banking factory - and for people taking economics, that matters (usually).

So does this mean a sensible bet, assuming you like campuses + the atmosphere equally as good, would be to definitely take a LSE offer over a UCL offer?

Cheers

Reply 4

John5000

OP

1

Also, is it true to assume L100 from UCL would be better looked at than most subjects at LSE other than their straight economics course (L101) - for instance, BSc. Economic History, BSc Management, BSc Government.

Basically, do banks actually look at the fact that UCL Economics is a particularly great course to get into or do they feel LSE in general as a uni. is just better.

Cheers

Reply 5

MMA

10

John5000

I know extra-curricular activities are important, but is UCL in the very top bracket for IB

No, although UCL is still regarded very highly. Tier 1 is generally considered to be Oxbridge, LSE and Imperial. As someone has pointed out already UCL is not that far behind.

John5000

May I also ask why LSE is regarded as having the premier economics department in the country (in particular why it's regarded so much better than UCL's).

LSE has better staff and researchers than UCL. It also attracts slightly better students, on average, than UCL and therefore has better employment prospects.

Reply 6

MMA

10

Sentooran

It is important to note that your degree is only a passport to an interview, not a job. Once you receive an interview, the differentiating factor is going to be your abilities and your personality - not which university you came from.

Very true. Being a well-rounded student is much more important than the university you have attended when it comes to interviews and assessment centres.

Reply 7

Alex_18

When we talk about Tiers, is this in general or for economics? if its for economics, what course does imperial offer, coz i know it doesnt offe straight economics.

Reply 8

President_Ben

15

ba_ba1

i agree with you ben, but then whats all this stuff about UCL being in the g5??

The G5 is a pure academic thing.

LSE offer over a UCL offer?

For the same degree course, in terms of employment, typically yes.

L100 from UCL would be better looked at than most subjects at LSE

Yes. L100, out of about 150 students in the second year, about 30-40 have landed banking internships. More than that in accountancy. The rest, unlucky or don't really care (many people don't care about finance). For whatever reason, consultancy isn't popular among UCL economists though about half a dozen will go for it. Probably because I don't 'pimp it' very much... especially after my experience of doing risk management consultancy for the summer in my first year. It was interesting, but not, in my opinion, very 'career worthy'.

LSE has better staff and researchers than UCL. It also attracts slightly better students, on average, than UCL and therefore has better employment prospects.

Staff and research are about the same... both 5*A. LSE has more of a culture of banking... one that spreads over the whole uni (whereas in UCL, it is spread over only some departments) and too many UCL courses are **** in comparison to the 'elite'.

The tiers are general. Imperial don't do Economics at all.

Reply 9

Alex_18

Would business managment at Imperial which is in tier 1 be better than straight economics at Bristol which is in tier 2????

Reply 10

President_Ben

15

Alex_18

Would business managment at Imperial which is in tier 1 be better than straight economics at Bristol which is in tier 2????

Business Management at Imperial is **** and not taught in London. It's taught on something that looks more like a farm in the countryside... (Wye) and focused on Agricultural Science... don't touch it with a barge pole!!

Reply 11

N9ne

7

Imperial only ranks highly for investment banking because of its science courses, not its business management course. People often go from Maths or Physics degrees into investment banking because the degrees are mathematical and can develop logical thought and sharp minded people will undoubtedly do well.

Reply 12

elephantom

John5000

Also, is it true to assume L100 from UCL would be better looked at than most subjects at LSE other than their straight economics course (L101) - for instance, BSc. Economic History, BSc Management, BSc Government.

Basically, do banks actually look at the fact that UCL Economics is a particularly great course to get into or do they feel LSE in general as a uni. is just better.

So basically if i have to choose between LSE acc&fin and UCL econ, you say i should choose ucl econ for investment banking??