MPhil Finance Vs. MSc Finance & Economics (Cambridge Vs. LSE)?

Hey forumers,

I have been made offers to study for an MPhil in Finance at Cambridge and the MSc Finance and Economics at the LSE, and was wondering whether anyone has any advice on which one is the better course for entering investment banking?

I understand that a large number of those on the course at the LSE go in to banking, but I have very limited knowledge about the course at Cambridge with regards to employment figures in banking sectors. :confused:

One thing that I have been considering is the cost of the courses- LSE £25K(16K course + 9K living) Vs Cambridge £12K(5K course + 7K living)- what do you think represents better value for money in terms of course quality and ability to get into IB?

thanks in advance for any advice... :wink:

Reply 1

dallepalle

no course by itself will get you into banking

--> both courses will get you interviews (or at least I would hope as am doing MPhil myself)

--> thus I would suggest that the choice should not be based on whether the course will get you into banking both courses could if you have the necessary experience etc

Reply 2

shady lane

16

In terms of cost, Cambridge is two years for an MPhil so isn't that 24K?

Reply 3

Derek_The_Hamster

3

The Cambridge MPhil is usually one year - it's the equivalent of MAs at most UK universities (given the MA is the usual first degree at the ancient universities)

Reply 4

BowlofSoup

I'm making this decision myself. Planning to return to the US after graduation to work in investment banking (M&A).

Cambridge MPhil Finance
Pro - overall prestige, cheaper (~$10,000 ), college system
Con - coursework too theoretical/rigorous, not enough application, small class size (~35), limited student interest in finance

LSE MSc Finance and Economics
Pro - immersion in finance environment (finance-minded students, finance seminars/events), better finance network (not sure how useful this will be in the US), more applied coursework
Con - less selective (I don't want to seem like I am "buying" my degree and I somehow get this feel with LSE), impersonal environment, limited reputation outside of social sciences

To be honest, I'm drawn to piggyback riding off of the university rep even though Cambridge is not as well-known in finance (and living the Oxbridge experience -- I'll have the chance to live in big cities like London later in life). Does Cam have the same reputation in graduate studies, particularly in finance/business? LSE tends to be a better environment for grad studies, being 50% grad students. I also don't think there's much interest in finance among the Cam students, so would be nice to be around like-minded students at LSE.

Is LSE worth the added loan burden? Would appreciate your advice.

Reply 5

salesch

I would take LSE over Cambridge as you received an offer for the MSc in F&E.

Reply 6

fail@maths

9

Both will open the same doors. I would go with Cambridge and save some money, however these courses are very different. You need to thoroughly review the content and make a decision to which interests you the most.

Reply 7

mlsbbe

what are your stats??

MPhil Finance Vs. MSc Finance & Economics (Cambridge Vs. LSE)?

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