A graduate's route to IB
Hi,
I work in retail banking for a small bank after graduating in accounting and finance 5 years ago from a mid tier UK university. I currently specialise in portfolio and risk management in a manager's role.
I wish to move into corporate finance, mergers and acquisition, wealth management or risk within an investment bank. Maybe consultancy within the Big4.
I'm considering bolstering my CV by the following options:
1) MSc in Economics from Bath (offer received) - study online part time
2) MSc in Mathematical Finance at York (conditional offered received - must complete pre-requisite course) - online part time.
3) MSc in Global Banking and Finance at King's College London (online part time)
4) MSc in Global Finance at CASS (online part time)
5) MSc finance at SOAS (online part time)
6) study CFA now but was thinking of doing it after completing my Masters. I believe I meet the pre-requisite work experience anyway so all I'd have to do is pass the exams and I could be made chartered instantly. Regardless of route I like to do my CFA. And then way down the line do an MBA (10+ years later).
Couple of concerns I have is the reputation of the above courses and universities. Which is 'better'? Bath is ranked highly in the UK and I am aware they are a semi targeted bank, but they rank poorly globally whereas Kings perform admirably on the international scene.
The other aspect is which I feel academically I lack is quant skills. Although I'm highly numerate and work with numbers all the time, I'm no mathematician. The course at York will be rigourous and challenging and feel I won't enjoy it. I will be constantly having to make up my gaps in my maths as I go along. I feel economics will provide enough of the quant skills on my CV without having to study a course in mathematics. Also as I have an undergrad degree in accounting and finance I wanted to add diversity to my profile by adding economics and not overlap with a finance MSc suggested above. The CFA should cover them anyway and intend to study this anyway. Would you suggest this is a good idea?
Apologies for long post, finding it difficult to choose an ideal route.
Thanks
I work in retail banking for a small bank after graduating in accounting and finance 5 years ago from a mid tier UK university. I currently specialise in portfolio and risk management in a manager's role.
I wish to move into corporate finance, mergers and acquisition, wealth management or risk within an investment bank. Maybe consultancy within the Big4.
I'm considering bolstering my CV by the following options:
1) MSc in Economics from Bath (offer received) - study online part time
2) MSc in Mathematical Finance at York (conditional offered received - must complete pre-requisite course) - online part time.
3) MSc in Global Banking and Finance at King's College London (online part time)
4) MSc in Global Finance at CASS (online part time)
5) MSc finance at SOAS (online part time)
6) study CFA now but was thinking of doing it after completing my Masters. I believe I meet the pre-requisite work experience anyway so all I'd have to do is pass the exams and I could be made chartered instantly. Regardless of route I like to do my CFA. And then way down the line do an MBA (10+ years later).
Couple of concerns I have is the reputation of the above courses and universities. Which is 'better'? Bath is ranked highly in the UK and I am aware they are a semi targeted bank, but they rank poorly globally whereas Kings perform admirably on the international scene.
The other aspect is which I feel academically I lack is quant skills. Although I'm highly numerate and work with numbers all the time, I'm no mathematician. The course at York will be rigourous and challenging and feel I won't enjoy it. I will be constantly having to make up my gaps in my maths as I go along. I feel economics will provide enough of the quant skills on my CV without having to study a course in mathematics. Also as I have an undergrad degree in accounting and finance I wanted to add diversity to my profile by adding economics and not overlap with a finance MSc suggested above. The CFA should cover them anyway and intend to study this anyway. Would you suggest this is a good idea?
Apologies for long post, finding it difficult to choose an ideal route.
Thanks
(edited 4 years ago)
This is good advice. Otherwise from the options you listed CASS is your best bet. Avoid KCL and SOAS. Not that sure about York and Bath.
But since you’re already working your path is a bit different compared to a graduate. It might be better for you to switch jobs to a bigger bank and then work your way up through that. IB Wealth management are more sales rather than quant jobs. Risk can be very technical. So you need to decide firstly what path you want. As a graduate you’ll also be competing with lots of other people on a similar footing, while an internal move may be less competitive.
But since you’re already working your path is a bit different compared to a graduate. It might be better for you to switch jobs to a bigger bank and then work your way up through that. IB Wealth management are more sales rather than quant jobs. Risk can be very technical. So you need to decide firstly what path you want. As a graduate you’ll also be competing with lots of other people on a similar footing, while an internal move may be less competitive.
Original post by CityofMud
This is good advice. Otherwise from the options you listed CASS is your best bet. Avoid KCL and SOAS. Not that sure about York and Bath.
But since you’re already working your path is a bit different compared to a graduate. It might be better for you to switch jobs to a bigger bank and then work your way up through that. IB Wealth management are more sales rather than quant jobs. Risk can be very technical. So you need to decide firstly what path you want. As a graduate you’ll also be competing with lots of other people on a similar footing, while an internal move may be less competitive.
But since you’re already working your path is a bit different compared to a graduate. It might be better for you to switch jobs to a bigger bank and then work your way up through that. IB Wealth management are more sales rather than quant jobs. Risk can be very technical. So you need to decide firstly what path you want. As a graduate you’ll also be competing with lots of other people on a similar footing, while an internal move may be less competitive.
I agree an MBA would be ideal, but unfortunately money is the constraining factor especially at a top business school. The courses I've highlighted are significantly cheaper. I do want to do an MBA but realistically need to wait another few more years. Imperial provide an online and weekend MBA course which is something I'm keeping an eye out on for. Again a long time away from that.
I intend to move to a larger bank, but looking to grasp a lot more experience in my current role as smaller banks provider greater level of exposure and in depth knowledge versus a larger bank will.
Btw out of interest why would you suggest not choosing KCL?
Original post by Kau54r
I agree an MBA would be ideal, but unfortunately money is the constraining factor especially at a top business school. The courses I've highlighted are significantly cheaper. I do want to do an MBA but realistically need to wait another few more years. Imperial provide an online and weekend MBA course which is something I'm keeping an eye out on for. Again a long time away from that.
I intend to move to a larger bank, but looking to grasp a lot more experience in my current role as smaller banks provider greater level of exposure and in depth knowledge versus a larger bank will.
Btw out of interest why would you suggest not choosing KCL?
I intend to move to a larger bank, but looking to grasp a lot more experience in my current role as smaller banks provider greater level of exposure and in depth knowledge versus a larger bank will.
Btw out of interest why would you suggest not choosing KCL?
KCL isn’t really known for finance. The program is relatively new while Cass is established. If you’re going for ‘brand name’ Cass would be better. It might even be on par with LBS, LSE or Oxbridge. Here’s a link (albeit slightly dated) for reference:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cityam.com/how-to-get-a-job-in-banking-or-finance-lse-oxbridge-and-cass-these-are-universities-most-finance-sector-workers-attended/amp/
York and Bath, while good are not classic ‘name-brand’ unis so if you do choose it ,would be for the technical skills you gain from the modules.
One thing you could do would be to email the respective departments and ask for statistics on graduate employment for these courses, or at least information as to where they ended up. LinkedIn stalking people who have taken these is also an option.
A disclaimer: Most of my experience comes from people doing full-time programmes and then applying for jobs.
Original post by BusMan21
York and CFA would be the juicy boost if you can hack both...
Very juicy indeed. I just feel I'm not going to enjoy the MSc and have to pass the pre-requisite course (extra money). I'm in no way at the same standard as a maths grad.
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