The Student Room Group

LSE - Economics vs Finance and Economics?

From the postgrad prospectus, I understand it's harder to gain admission to the pure Economics course at LSE (obviously, being the flagship course) but from employment POV, which one do you think stands out? Which course has - so to say - higher "employability"? I do have plans to take up doctoral studies later on but as I'd be heavily indebted after LSE, I would prefer a job for 3-4 years.

Much appreciated!
Reply 1
Mmmh both are great, both will get you interviews so no difference in employability. Still, my opinion is nothing can beat straight Economics.
Reply 2
Octavius85
Mmmh both are great, both will get you interviews so no difference in employability. Still, my opinion is nothing can beat straight Economics.

I do currently hold offer for MSc Eco (2 year) and there is a possibility of changing next year, so I enquired. About the jobs, wouldn't the banks sort of prefer a person who has done finance in much more detail than a straight economics graduate? Isn't a straight economics degree better suited for those with academic interests?

And yes, I am pretty sure the snob value that comes with a degree in Economics from the LSE is unparelleled but it's just that I just want to MAKE SURE that I do indeed end up with a job after I graduate as I currently have no work-ex or any other "ace" up my sleeve! Also, is 30K per year a safe estimate for job offers?

P.S. If anyone bothers to peruse over the new 2007-08 prospectus, it may be seen that the entry standards for straight econ. degree are now officially THE HIGHEST for any postgrad course at the LSE. minimum first class honours degree and 780+ GRE Q score :eek:
Reply 3
I do currently hold offer for MSc Eco (2 year) and there is a possibility of changing next year, so I enquired. About the jobs, wouldn't the banks sort of prefer a person who has done finance in much more detail than a straight economics graduate? Isn't a straight economics degree better suited for those with academic interests?


MSc Economics must have a more global approach while F&E is way more professionalizing. But if you are talking about what banks prefer stricto sensu, then there is no difference. They will interview both. No advantage for F&E over Economics (banks ARE snob). And other parts of your application (undergrad degree etc) will be far more important.

And yes, I am pretty sure the snob value that comes with a degree in Economics from the LSE is unparelleled but it's just that I just want to MAKE SURE that I do indeed end up with a job after I graduate as I currently have no work-ex or any other "ace" up my sleeve!


You will end up with something. Maybe not exactly what you wanted but 1 thing unprobable is unemployment... *fingers crossed*. Btw, I don't have work exp either :frown:

Also, is 30K per year a safe estimate for job offers?


30k is OK. 35-40 base salary is not unheard of. If you add the benefits (bonus, golden hello) you will be around 50-60k. Depends on the area mainly.

P.S. If anyone bothers to peruse over the new 2007-08 prospectus, it may be seen that the entry standards for straight econ. degree are now officially THE HIGHEST for any postgrad course at the LSE. minimum first class honours degree and 780+ GRE Q score.


760 actually, which is OK. You still have to be dam good..
malhotra

P.S. If anyone bothers to peruse over the new 2007-08 prospectus, it may be seen that the entry standards for straight econ. degree are now officially THE HIGHEST for any postgrad course at the LSE. minimum first class honours degree and 780+ GRE Q score :eek:


I don't think that conclusion is necessarily valid.

The intake/applications in MSc F&E is 71/1,141 = 6.2%
The intake/applications in MSc Econ is 80/947 = 8.4%

Furthermore, the MSc F&E's average GRE is 775.

To my knowledge, the average GRE for MSc Econ is not publicly available, but they do say they "expect" to see 760+ for the taught programme. For MSc F&E they stipulate 85th percentile, which corresponds to 770 if I'm not mistaken.
Reply 5
Octavius85

You will end up with something. Maybe not exactly what you wanted but 1 thing unprobable is unemployment... *fingers crossed*. Btw, I don't have work exp either :frown:
30k is OK. 35-40 base salary is not unheard of. If you add the benefits (bonus, golden hello) you will be around 50-60k. Depends on the area mainly.


Afternoon, I'm on the straight MSc. Economics (**** knows how :wink:) I don't know if you had the chance to catch one of my old threads about where I was asking if I had a chance of getting to interview.

Anyways, just to get your opinion, I only got BBC at A-Level but graduated from Southampton with a First class BSc in Economics and like I said will still be doing the MSc...what do you think my employability prospects will be like?

I have a fair amount of experience, including an internship with Fujitsu, which was obtained internally and although whilst none of it is financially based, the work was based around statistical analysis.

In addition to what you said above, the average postgrad salary coming out of LSE is £30k (this is an average across all fields) whilst for UG's its £25k, so the MSc in Economics must be surely above the average do you think? Considering that you'll have people doing some stuff like IR etc...??
Reply 6
sins55
Afternoon, I'm on the straight MSc. Economics (**** knows how :wink:) I don't know if you had the chance to catch one of my old threads about where I was asking if I had a chance of getting to interview.

Anyways, just to get your opinion, I only got BBC at A-Level but graduated from Southampton with a First class BSc in Economics and like I said will still be doing the MSc...what do you think my employability prospects will be like?

I have a fair amount of experience, including an internship with Fujitsu, which was obtained internally and although whilst none of it is financially based, the work was based around statistical analysis.

In addition to what you said above, the average postgrad salary coming out of LSE is £30k (this is an average across all fields) whilst for UG's its £25k, so the MSc in Economics must be surely above the average do you think? Considering that you'll have people doing some stuff like IR etc...??


LOL, dude, it's not as black and white. For most jobs(inc. IB/MC), an IR student will have the same chances as you to land those interviews. Only whre they require strong mathematical skills (derivatives, sales, trading, whatever..) will you have an advantage. The MSc Economics does have a better average salary but probably because most students want to go into banking and are really motivated in finding something in London and they do. While MSc IR have people who want to get into interesting but less lucrative fields or who will be returning to their home countries.

So in clear, you will get the interviews because you have the LSE brand on your CV - and accessorily because you are doing their flagship course. But your other academic background (including institution, subject +class of degree and A-levels) and how you perform at interviews will be far more determinant.
Reply 7
sins55
Afternoon, I'm on the straight MSc. Economics (**** knows how :wink:) I don't know if you had the chance to catch one of my old threads about where I was asking if I had a chance of getting to interview.

Anyways, just to get your opinion, I only got BBC at A-Level but graduated from Southampton with a First class BSc in Economics and like I said will still be doing the MSc...what do you think my employability prospects will be like?

In addition to what you said above, the average postgrad salary coming out of LSE is £30k (this is an average across all fields) whilst for UG's its £25k, so the MSc in Economics must be surely above the average do you think? Considering that you'll have people doing some stuff like IR etc...??


With your grades you are extremely lucky to be on it! Congrats. What did you get for GRE though? 760 /770 is not that bad- i know many people who got 800 in both sections!

MSc Econ is intensive - my advice is to spend all summer preparing hard - really hard. Trust me its a whole new wolrd from Southammpton however, if you are reasonably intelilgent, it is doable. LSE will threaten to overwhelm you but it does give you breathing space every now and then. Plus social life is amazing.

Getting a job is simple : LSE will GET you interviews but from then its up to you. Its by far the best place to be if you want to be an investment banker but then again many people leave unemployed because it is competitive. However with an LSE degree employability should not be a problem in the long term.

Have fun - being there was one of the craziest years in my life.
Reply 8
BigDog04
With your grades you are extremely lucky to be on it! Congrats. What did you get for GRE though? 760 /770 is not that bad- i know many people who got 800 in both sections!

Cheers, I kinda thought that. I didn't have to do a GRE either as I'm a UK student, and studied my degree in the UK, the MSc is exempt from doing a GRE in these circumstances.

BigDog04
MSc Econ is intensive - my advice is to spend all summer preparing hard - really hard. Trust me its a whole new wolrd from Southammpton however, if you are reasonably intelilgent, it is doable. LSE will threaten to overwhelm you but it does give you breathing space every now and then. Plus social life is amazing.


Its a common misconception about Southampton, don't get me wrong it may not have the reputation of LSE, but (at least when I started) the Economics school was a top 5 school - and one of very few that offered a BSc. It was hard work, I would argue as hard as any other top school having seen the content of my friends Economics from Cambridge. I'm quite studious, have been known to work every day for long periods. I finished with a ~80% average so I like to think that I'm more than capable! :biggrin:

At the moment I'm preparing for the presessional maths course which starts in a week - I never did A-Level maths so I've got a fair bit to catch up on, but I'm making progress.

Getting a job is simple : LSE will GET you interviews but from then its up to you. Its by far the best place to be if you want to be an investment banker but then again many people leave unemployed because it is competitive. However with an LSE degree employability should not be a problem in the long term.


So if I were to go to the careers service, they would actually put me forward for interviews? Or are you saying that I will be able to get interviews via application? Cheers for the words of encouragement, whilst I am studious, I like to think I have enough character to shine through also...I'm not square! :biggrin:

Cheers for your help - positive feedback has been accrued! :biggrin:
Reply 9
sins55
Cheers, I kinda thought that. I didn't have to do a GRE either as I'm a UK student, and studied my degree in the UK, the MSc is exempt from doing a GRE in these circumstances.



Its a common misconception about Southampton, don't get me wrong it may not have the reputation of LSE, but (at least when I started) the Economics school was a top 5 school - and one of very few that offered a BSc. It was hard work, I would argue as hard as any other top school having seen the content of my friends Economics from Cambridge. I'm quite studious, have been known to work every day for long periods. I finished with a ~80% average so I like to think that I'm more than capable! :biggrin:

At the moment I'm preparing for the presessional maths course which starts in a week - I never did A-Level maths so I've got a fair bit to catch up on, but I'm making progress.



So if I were to go to the careers service, they would actually put me forward for interviews? Or are you saying that I will be able to get interviews via application? Cheers for the words of encouragement, whilst I am studious, I like to think I have enough character to shine through also...I'm not square! :biggrin:

Cheers for your help - positive feedback has been accrued! :biggrin:


I dont have friends from southampton but trust me, its not like LSE. Just take that as a given. an 80 average is AMAZING- uni marks are standardized so 80 is generally equivalent. I think you will struggle mathematically if you didnt do A - level maths : Im SHOCKED they let you in without it. im assuming you did a lot of maths in your degree to make up for it right?

Its a tough course but its not impossible: hard work and intelligence would suffice but just get ready for an amazing year. you will definitely get interviews simply by applying but obviously everyone else at lse is also applying so there's still competition.