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Studying in halls, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Cambridge

Cambridge Masters

Hi,

So I am thinking of applying for a masters, and I started to look at Cambridge, I called up to find about the entry requirements and they said their only requirement is a 2:1.. surely that can't be it? Does anyone know what you should have to apply there? (finance/econ related masters if that helps)

I have done many internships at top firms so my motivation should be clear.
I can not remember my gcses but they were something like 4 'A' grades and the rest 'B' grades. I did not do A levels, instead I went to college to study maths and sciences. After which I went onto studying maths at a Russell group university predicted 2:1. (in my second year now) achieved a 1st class in year one.

Also can you apply for a masters straight after you finish your bachelors? I heard somewhere you need to have a minimum of two years work experience in a relevant area?
Reply 1
Re having a 2:1, if that's what they said why doubt it? Although, obviously you'd be more competitive with a 1st.

Re going straight to Master after Bachelors - It depends. Is it for Judge BS? If so, the MBA needs a minimum of 3 years work experience. The MFin is minimum 2 years work experience.

For a non-business Masters, most students go straight in after completing their undergrad course.
Studying in halls, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Cambridge
Reply 2
Original post by jneill
Re having a 2:1, if that's what they said why doubt it? Although, obviously you'd be more competitive with a 1st.

Re going straight to Master after Bachelors - It depends. Is it for Judge BS? If so, the MBA needs a minimum of 3 years work experience. The MFin is minimum 2 years work experience.

For a non-business Masters, most students go straight in after completing their undergrad course.


I just thought a 2:1 for cambridge is too lenient, thought they also would have a requirement for previous grades as well from pre uni education.

Yep JBS. Ah I see. I would of preferred to go straight into the MFin from undergrad. I will see if I am allowed to do economics without doing an economics undergrad, i dont think you need work experience for that
Reply 3
(edited 8 years ago)
Reply 4


Oh thanks for that, that is actually something I think I will look into to potentially apply for, as I did not do economics, I will have to apply for the diploma to then go straight onto the finance&econ Mphil.

If for instance I was to go into work and then just apply to JBS after the required number of years of work experience, would I have to do the MFin prior to an MBA? or could I go straight into the MBA after 3 years of work exp
Reply 5
Original post by 11harry11
Oh thanks for that, that is actually something I think I will look into to potentially apply for, as I did not do economics, I will have to apply for the diploma to then go straight onto the finance&econ Mphil.

If for instance I was to go into work and then just apply to JBS after the required number of years of work experience, would I have to do the MFin prior to an MBA? or could I go straight into the MBA after 3 years of work exp


No you'd go straight into the MBA.

TBH, if you are considering an MBA most people wait 5 years (or more) before doing it. It's much more relevant if you have a good amount of business experience under your belt.

It's also expensive... (some employers might help with that but, again, it's not likely unless you've been working at that employer for a significant time)
Reply 6
Original post by jneill
No you'd go straight into the MBA.

TBH, if you are considering an MBA most people wait 5 years (or more) before doing it. It's much more relevant if you have a good amount of business experience under your belt.

It's also expensive... (some employers might help with that but, again, it's not likely unless you've been working at that employer for a significant time)


Oh I see, okay thanks!

What are your thoughts on MFin vs MBA?
Reply 7
Original post by 11harry11
Oh I see, okay thanks!

What are your thoughts on MFin vs MBA?


Sorry, I can't really advise. MFin looks to be more specialised. MBA is well understood by employers (but some say it is becoming a victim of its own success).

Why do you want to do either?

Oh and here's an example of an employer (PwC) sponsoring MBAs
http://www.strategyand.pwc.com/global/home/careers/life/your_career
Reply 8
Original post by jneill
Sorry, I can't really advise. MFin looks to be more specialised. MBA is well understood by employers (but some say it is becoming a victim of its own success).

Why do you want to do either?

Oh and here's an example of an employer (PwC) sponsoring MBAs
http://www.strategyand.pwc.com/global/home/careers/life/your_career


Oh okay! thanks for providing the link:smile:

Well I am looking to go into finance as a career, possibly IBD and as I am coming from a more maths background I really want to learn and understand finance more before entering it as a career. Also I understand how competitive it is to get into, so I figured an MFin will do me justice ideally from Cambridge. I would also assume that once you start work as an analyst it is very difficult to progress further than associate level and feel an MBA could open doors in career progression e.g. reaching more senior levels such as VP or moving into HF/PE, and reaching life long goals (Hypothetically speaking, I am not saying this will happen to me)

So in summary, the MFin to learn and help land the job and an MBA to help progress my career further.
(edited 8 years ago)
Reply 9
Ah, IB... you should probably ask the experts in the IB forum :wink:



Posted from TSR Mobile
Reply 10
I and a few friends have received offers from Oxford and Cambridge this year (some for Economics, some for Finance). All offers were First class honours in third year. (Unis we are attending are York and Warwick).

I have a feeling that even though the official requirement is a 2.1, you won't be very competitive unless you have other things that speak in your favour (very good references, internships as you have, etc.).
Reply 11
Original post by Chr0n
I and a few friends have received offers from Oxford and Cambridge this year (some for Economics, some for Finance). All offers were First class honours in third year. (Unis we are attending are York and Warwick).

I have a feeling that even though the official requirement is a 2.1, you won't be very competitive unless you have other things that speak in your favour (very good references, internships as you have, etc.).


Oh well done! :smile: Will you be doing the MFin? What degree are you currently studying?
What was your previous academics like, e.g. a levels or equivalent?
Also did you have any internships under your belt? if so where?

(sorry for all the questions)
Reply 12
Original post by 11harry11
Oh well done! :smile: Will you be doing the MFin?

No, I'll be doing the M.Phil. Economics as I want to do a Ph.D. in either Statistics or Econometrics.

Original post by 11harry11
What degree are you currently studying?

Philosophy, Politics and Economics at York, 74% average so far.


Original post by 11harry11
What was your previous academics like, e.g. a levels or equivalent?

1.1 Austrian Matura. Don't think you can convert it. But typical undergrad offers for Austrian students ranged anywhere from 1.1 - 1.5 for unis wanting AAA / A*AA from British students.

Original post by 11harry11
Also did you have any internships under your belt? if so where?

No, but I have been working as a part time software developer for several years and went volunteering in Nepal for one summer.
Reply 13
Original post by Chr0n
No, I'll be doing the M.Phil. Economics as I want to do a Ph.D. in either Statistics or Econometrics.


Philosophy, Politics and Economics at York, 74% average so far.



1.1 Austrian Matura. Don't think you can convert it. But typical undergrad offers for Austrian students ranged anywhere from 1.1 - 1.5 for unis wanting AAA / A*AA from British students.


No, but I have been working as a part time software developer for several years and went volunteering in Nepal for one summer.


Oh that sounds great! What makes you think you got the offer? Was there anything you did during interviews or anything in the application process which you felt influenced their decision in giving you an offer?
Reply 14
Original post by 11harry11
Oh that sounds great! What makes you think you got the offer? Was there anything you did during interviews or anything in the application process which you felt influenced their decision in giving you an offer?

They don't generally interview for M.Phil.'s, only for Undergrads and Ph.D. and some selected masters courses.

I feel like it's pretty much unpredictable how they assess giving offers. For example, I got offers from LSE, UCL and Warwick for Statistics, but not from Imperial or Manchester. If you apply, just make sure that you have strong references, a very good personal statement and good grades, other than that you can't really influence it. There's some luck involved as well.

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