Oxford MFE vs. Cambridge MPhil Finance

Hey guys,

I reeeeally need your advice. I recently got an offer from Judge for their MPhil Finance program and I had my interview for Oxord's MFE program yesterday, which went pretty well. Now I'm facing a huge dilemma as to which one to choose, should I get an offer from Ox, of course.

I know that Cambridge's program is more established and is generally pretty good (and much cheaper, too), but Oxford has a really good reputation abroad (which really metters to me) and the program is generally pretty well advertised. According to my interviewer, they have noticed many things that didn't go well with it last year and that they are going to make significant changes to accommodate the students' comments regarding the curriculum and the organization of the program, which is also good.

It's really hard for me to decide, since I'm in Canada and have never been to either of the two universities. Aside from the information that I can find on their respective webites, I really don't know all that much about the two programs.

Please help!!! I would really appreciate your comments!

Thanks,
Rob

Reply 1

bluefuture

5

Personally, I would go for the Cambridge program. Although i prefer Oxford on the whole (as a soon to be Oxford man even! Im a real traitor.) 1) It is better established (Oxford are improving it, but still a gamble. It may take a few years to be perfected or knowing Oxford, a few centuries!)
2)It is much cheaper.
3)Judge Business school nice building and in a nice location (have been there)
4)Cambridge is the prettiest city in Britain. Punting down the Cam in summer is shamelessly romantic, check out the photos. (Oxford is much larger and more imposing- as beautiful, but in a different way)
5)Cambridge has marginally better reputation in maths/science based areas.

What colleges are you applying for at both? Could play important decider.

Reply 2

rghenchev

OP

At Oxford, I'm applying for University College and St. Catherines. At Cambridge, I let them pick a college for me. Frankly, I didn't realize that the college plays an important role and, since I was already late with my applications, too lazy to read all the information, and don't mind walking (hence distance did not matter), I simply selected colleges at random. I know, big mistake... too late now, I suppose.

Otherwise, I am a bit worried that Cambridge's program is more academic, rather than applied. On the other hand, since Oxford's MFE program is not well established yet, I suppose that it won't really give me an edge with my job applications. Honestly, I am really confused. It's an important choice and I really don't want to regret it five years down the road.

Reply 3

bluefuture

5

rghenchev

Honestly, I am really confused. It's an important choice and I really don't want to regret it five years down the road.

No matter what your decision you really wont regret it. Both programs are world class, both programs have practical elements, both are highly theoretical.
Both of them provide more than enough for a successful career in finance.

Oxford and Cambridge are still the oldest, most famous, most beautiful and arguably the most academically prestigious universities in the world. Not to mention the uncomparably exciting student life they provide (Im guessing from the hundreds of novels, drama's and films set there and from people i know and on this site)

Honestly, once you've visited either of them you'll realise that i hope. There's nothing between them really. The same can be said for college choice.

Reply 4

GB_GB

I will go for Oxford. I think It has strong links with some hedge funds like MAN Group. Overall, MFE i think is more practical course.

Reply 5

LeaNawooKim

rghenchev, out of curiosity as a potential applicant in the future, the list of colleges offering MFE does not include University College. Can I still apply for Univ College to read MFE? I would very much appreciate your reply on this!

Reply 6

Observatory

20

Original post by rghenchev

According to my interviewer, they have noticed many things that didn't go well with it last year and that they are going to make significant changes to accommodate the students' comments regarding the curriculum and the organization of the program, which is also good.
I read this statement as "We know people are not happy with the course and that this information has become public, but please don't run away!" Especially if it was unprompted. Even if it's true they're trying to improve things, you're going to be a guinea pig for whatever untested 'significant changes' they introduce. I'm really struggling to see how to view that statement as a good thing.

bluefuture

Oxford and Cambridge are still the oldest, most famous, most beautiful and arguably the most academically prestigious universities in the world.

But neither are leaders for Finance or MFE, even just within Britain. It's a different market than the usual undergraduate one.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 7

poohat

18

Original post by bluefuture

5)Cambridge has marginally better reputation in maths/science based areas..

Ive no idea whether it translates to the employability of their MFE program, but Oxford has one of the best finance departments in the UK (probably only behind LBS and LSE), whereas Cambridge lags a fair bit behind in econ and finance.

But I doubt this affects the prestige of their Masters programs much, realistically both are going to be considered prestigious in the private sector due to the strength of the Oxbridge brand name. But Oxford is the more recognized university in Finance.

see for example:

http://ideas.repec.org/top/top.fin.html
http://legacy.wpcarey.asu.edu/fin-rankings/rankings/results.cfm (
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-036X.2010.00555.x/abstract
etc

(edited 11 years ago)

Oxford MFE vs. Cambridge MPhil Finance

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