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Aston, Bath, Durham, Lancaster

T.M.

Hi, I have got offers for the MSc in Finance from the following Universities:
Aston, Bath, Durham and Lancaster.

Do you have any advices for me?

Which program is the best?
Which university has the strongest reputation?
Beside university, where is living the best?

Many thanks for your help!

Reply 1

Happy1

14

I;d say Durham is best on reputation... but it's very subjective, you should choose more on the place you like best and teh course

Reply 2

finmath7

1

For business/finance courses, Lancaster seems to be the best among your offers.

But in terms of overall reputation, Bath is ahead, followed by Durham, Lancaster and then Aston.

Tough choice, but Aston is definitely out for me.
Faced with these offers, I think I might settle for Bath.

Reply 3

Jazzza

1

But have you been to see any of these places. Bath is a much better place to be, but it's more expensive to live. Compared with Lancaster which is cheaper to live, but the Uni is a long way from anywhere and is a bit of a bleak 1960s campus.

Reply 4

arkbar

12

But in terms of overall reputation, Bath is ahead, followed by Durham, Lancaster and then Aston.

In what deeply weird world does Bath have a better 'overall reputation' than Durham?

Reply 5

finmath7

1

Guardian Education 2005 rankings for Business & Management:
Bath 3rd, Aston 12th, Durham 14th, Lancaster 21st

Times Good University Guide 2005 for Business:
Bath 4th, Lancaster 8th, Aston 12th, Durham not in top 20

*2001 Research Assessment Exercise: (we shouldn't be looking at research for a taught programme)
Durham 11th, Lancaster 12th, Bath 18th, Aston 31st

My opinions are strictly from rankings - I don't know how else to compare...I've never studied in these schools.

Reply 6

Retardchar

1

Jazzza

Compared with Lancaster which is cheaper to live, but the Uni is a long way from anywhere and is a bit of a bleak 1960s campus.

It's not that bleak, seeing as it's surrounded by stunning country side. :p:

Also, the uni is a quick bus ride away from town, so it's not that far from anywhere. I wish everyone would stop assuming that all campus universities are in the middle of nowhere with no way of getting anywhere. :rolleyes:

Reply 7

arkbar

12

Not only are those leage tables surely for undergraduate degrees but also you said "But in terms of overall reputation, " implying the overall reputation of the university, for which Durham beats Bath by a way.

Reply 8

Busta

1

The only programme that is really valued by employers would have to be Bath Uni. Just have a look at what calibre of recruiters they attract- McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bain, Data Connections etc.

In terms of careers, Bath will add the most value in your subject arae by far. Although there are better options if you have a big budget - Warwick, LSE, LBS, Oxbridge

Reply 9

T.M.

OP

Well, my budget is not that big, that is why i am only applying to the next bests...I just read an article in the Financial Times that Lancaster is getting better and better, especially in Accounting and Finance...

Reply 10

Busta

1

T.M.

Well, my budget is not that big, that is why i am only applying to the next bests...I just read an article in the Financial Times that Lancaster is getting better and better, especially in Accounting and Finance...

What career do you want to pursue?

If you are intending on going into academic research then Lancaster is the best choice. If you want a job then Bath is purely because it is best business school, best at Finance, most respected by employers etc out of your choices.

Reply 11

T.M.

OP

Many thanks for your help so far...

I intend to join the business-life after graduation. So you think that for this purpose Bath is the best option? I just know the FT MBA ranking and there Lancaster is the best Business School (out of Aston, Bath, Durham, Lancaster) and Bath isn't even announced. I know that a lot of employers only look at this ranking, at least in Germany, and I dont have any other experiences!!!

Reply 12

hm82

1

TM,

I posted a similar reply to a guy on another forum. If you are not planning to work in the UK Lancaster is probably a better choice if you are on a tight budget because it is cheaper and as you said many foreign firms tend to look at FT rankings (Even though they are for MBAs) - I know this is the case in the Nordic region at least, save for some firms such as McKinsey/Bain etc with huge UK divisions. They tend to have a list of schools they hire from in each country although even for them Bath is a total longshot, most of interviews are with Oxbridge/LSE people.

Reply 13

Busta

1

T.M.

Many thanks for your help so far...

I intend to join the business-life after graduation. So you think that for this purpose Bath is the best option? I just know the FT MBA ranking and there Lancaster is the best Business School (out of Aston, Bath, Durham, Lancaster) and Bath isn't even announced. I know that a lot of employers only look at this ranking, at least in Germany, and I dont have any other experiences!!!

Yes but you are not doing an MBA. An MBA and MSc are different so comparing the ranking is pointless. MBA is a category in itself. The teachinf for MSc is more reflective of the ranking of it's business school by say the Times. If you really do want to use FT ranking then there is a MSc section I believe.

But out of all of those universities, Lancaster is best for research which you are not doing, Durham has the best overall rep as a uni (very very marginal over Bath) but then it's business school is not regarded highly at all. Best business schoool, overall rep, attractiveness to recruiters is easily Bath.

Check out which recruiters visit which universities and Bath will stand out by far from all of them. To my knowledge Investment banks and top consultancies don't visit any of the others with a few exceptions possible but all the top calibre employers are regularly at Bath.

Reply 14

finmath7

1

Agree with Busta.

IMO Bath is the better school.

Reply 15

T.M.

OP

Busta

Yes but you are not doing an MBA. An MBA and MSc are different so comparing the ranking is pointless. MBA is a category in itself. The teachinf for MSc is more reflective of the ranking of it's business school by say the Times. If you really do want to use FT ranking then there is a MSc section I believe.

I know, that an MBA is another discipline but as long as the employers take these rankings as the source for an overall ranking for the business school, it doesnt mater...

Dont understand me wrong, for sure I want a good education and that is why I wanted to know which of the mentioned programes is the best. Otherwise I would have chosen Lancaster because of the MBA ranking...

But you think, for a good education which may leads to a good job Bath is the best, right?!?

Reply 16

Busta

1

T.M.

I know, that an MBA is another discipline but as long as the employers take these rankings as the source for an overall ranking for the business school, it doesnt mater...

Dont understand me wrong, for sure I want a good education and that is why I wanted to know which of the mentioned programes is the best. Otherwise I would have chosen Lancaster because of the MBA ranking...

But you think, for a good education which may leads to a good job Bath is the best, right?!?

Unless you are going into a senior position (associate) then the recruiters will be interested in the MBA but you are not. If you are going for an entry level position like most graduates then your MSc will be regarded in the same light as a BA/BSc so choosing it on this basis is the best thing to do.

Does any job specify in finance an MSc? Very very few as those that do typically want an MSc Mathematics but prefer a PhD. So they specify only a Undergrad degree or MBA, you are in the former.