From Architecture to Finance, which course to choose for Master's?

Hello! Long story short, I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from a non-target university, achieving first-class honours. I've been working in the architectural industry in the UK for nearly two and a half years. While I enjoy seeing tangible results from my projects, I don't see this career as financially rewarding in the long run.

For that reason, I'm considering pursuing a Master's degree in finance. After digging into finance and chatting with some finance bros, I've gotten really interested in deal structuring, financial modeling, trading, and learning about strategic financial management. I'm curious about how these things work in both private and public sectors around the world

I recently received offers to pursue an MSc in Global Investment Banking at Northeastern University London and an MSc in Finance and Management at the University of Kent. Both programs align with my interests and career goals.

The Global Investment Banking course at NU London is integrated with Financial Edge and is tailored for those aiming to become investment banking analysts. On the other hand, the Finance and Management course at the University of Kent offers a broader perspective on finance, focusing on general public and private sector management and strategy on a global scale and relevant subjects on that regard.

Given these two options, which course would be the better choice and what job opportunities might be available after completing either of these degrees?

Any input would be appreciated!

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 1

MonicaVanL

Original post by TommyNartish

Hello! Long story short, I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from a non-target university, achieving first-class honours. I've been working in the architectural industry in the UK for nearly two and a half years. While I enjoy seeing tangible results from my projects, I don't see this career as financially rewarding in the long run.
For that reason, I'm considering pursuing a Master's degree in finance. After digging into finance and chatting with some finance bros, I've gotten really interested in deal structuring, financial modeling, trading, and learning about strategic financial management. I'm curious about how these things work in both private and public sectors around the world
I recently received offers to pursue an MSc in Global Investment Banking at Northeastern University London and an MSc in Finance and Management at the University of Kent. Both programs align with my interests and career goals.
The Global Investment Banking course at NU London is integrated with Financial Edge and is tailored for those aiming to become investment banking analysts. On the other hand, the Finance and Management course at the University of Kent offers a broader perspective on finance, focusing on general public and private sector management and strategy on a global scale and relevant subjects on that regard.
Given these two options, which course would be the better choice and what job opportunities might be available after completing either of these degrees?
Any input would be appreciated!

can’t you get into investment banking with any undergraduate degree unless you want to specialise?

Reply 2

NU London

Official Rep

Original post by TommyNartish

Hello! Long story short, I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from a non-target university, achieving first-class honours. I've been working in the architectural industry in the UK for nearly two and a half years. While I enjoy seeing tangible results from my projects, I don't see this career as financially rewarding in the long run.
For that reason, I'm considering pursuing a Master's degree in finance. After digging into finance and chatting with some finance bros, I've gotten really interested in deal structuring, financial modeling, trading, and learning about strategic financial management. I'm curious about how these things work in both private and public sectors around the world
I recently received offers to pursue an MSc in Global Investment Banking at Northeastern University London and an MSc in Finance and Management at the University of Kent. Both programs align with my interests and career goals.
The Global Investment Banking course at NU London is integrated with Financial Edge and is tailored for those aiming to become investment banking analysts. On the other hand, the Finance and Management course at the University of Kent offers a broader perspective on finance, focusing on general public and private sector management and strategy on a global scale and relevant subjects on that regard.
Given these two options, which course would be the better choice and what job opportunities might be available after completing either of these degrees?
Any input would be appreciated!

Dear Tommy,

We are thrilled to hear that you are considering the MSc Global Investment Banking program at Northeastern University London. It looks like you have already done extensive research into your masters options and delighted to know you have multiple options to think about.

We will be glad to arrange a meeting for you with the founder of Financial Edge who is happy to meet with prospective students to share more about the program and answer any questions, to help you make an informed decision. He will be able to explain in depth about the career outcomes from this programme and how it prepares you to be 'desk ready' for a role in investment banking, as well as how the skills developed throughout the degree are also transferable to and valued in other roles and industries.

If that is of interest to you, please do get in touch with me at [email protected].

All my best,
Maya

Reply 3

University of Kent

Official Rep

Original post by TommyNartish

Hello! Long story short, I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from a non-target university, achieving first-class honours. I've been working in the architectural industry in the UK for nearly two and a half years. While I enjoy seeing tangible results from my projects, I don't see this career as financially rewarding in the long run.
For that reason, I'm considering pursuing a Master's degree in finance. After digging into finance and chatting with some finance bros, I've gotten really interested in deal structuring, financial modeling, trading, and learning about strategic financial management. I'm curious about how these things work in both private and public sectors around the world
I recently received offers to pursue an MSc in Global Investment Banking at Northeastern University London and an MSc in Finance and Management at the University of Kent. Both programs align with my interests and career goals.
The Global Investment Banking course at NU London is integrated with Financial Edge and is tailored for those aiming to become investment banking analysts. On the other hand, the Finance and Management course at the University of Kent offers a broader perspective on finance, focusing on general public and private sector management and strategy on a global scale and relevant subjects on that regard.
Given these two options, which course would be the better choice and what job opportunities might be available after completing either of these degrees?
Any input would be appreciated!

Hi @TommyNartish,

I hope you're keeping well.

I'm truly sorry for not responding sooner, this thread flew under my nose!
Unfortunately, I can't speak too much for Northeastern, though I'm sure they're great.
What I can tell you though is that Finance at Kent is honestly a great choice for a whole host of reasons.

Firstly, it's very close to London and Canterbury is actually becoming more of a commuter city to the capital as more links establish, which makes sense considering its about an hour away from Victoria by train. The city is also absolutely beautiful (mixing the best elements of architecture with nature), and full of history and culture, whilst also happening to be relatively close to relaxing coastal areas such as Whistable, Herne Bay, and Margate, making it an incredibly cozy and stunning place to live in.

The finance course itself here is highly praised and great to study, offering top quality, relevant modules - funnily enough, the business department really prides itself a lot more on its postgraduate courses (but don't tell anyone I told you that). It's a Triple Crown Business School which places a lot of focus on the quantitative side of finance, whilst still teaching about other necessary business elements that are needed to carry you to the job-market securely.
I can assure you though that youll be taught the relevant modules to make the jump from Architecture to Finance though, as the course itself beings with a Foundations of Finance module, as well as many other more relevant modules which will help you quickly understand the modern financial and management landscape in the world. (In a sense, you get to skip over much of the boring theoretical parts of finance!)

We have a lot of alumni here at Kent who have not only worked in banks such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and the Central Bank in Monetary Policy, but who also return to give talks to current students about what they can expect and how to prepare! Though I can't say specifically what job you'll get, I will say that it very much depends on your own effort - however, that being said, the university does provides a lot of support on this front too, especially if you decide on taking the industrial placement year with this too! If you happen to have any queries, please also feel free to also talk with our Director of Studies for Finance so that you can have any questions answered - or just to check whether we're the right fit for you! You can find their details here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/kent-business-school/people/866/voukelatos-nikolaos
(Sorry, I don't think I can actually post contact details under TSR terms of service).

Honestly though, the best thing that I truly love about this University though is the amount of support which it provides it's students with. It's an incredibly underrated factor, however, for me it's been instrumental in helping my academic life evolve and improve since I joined. I mean this in the sense that most major classes have drop-in sessions, whereby it's really just an hour of questioning your lecturer, consultation hours which is where professors have to drop everything they do and converse with you about any questions you may have, as well as you having your own academic advisor - who are staff with specialised knowledge in your area of study whom you can contact to support you, if need be. (I guess I may as well note, this is all alongside your regular classes as well!)
Kent also has a whole host of support departments which are around to give you necessary help, such as Mental Health Support. Work Opportunity and Job Searching Support, Academic Support, etc.

Campus is very cozy, with a very friendly atmosphere. In my opinion, it's rural enough that's its peaceful and green (you'll see many rabbits, birds, squirrels, and the like) - but close enough to the city that we don't starve during harsh winters!
There are also many welcoming societies here, all of which would be more than hapy to take you in!

Sibson (KBS and Economics department) also happens to be an award-winning building which hosts a Bloomberg Suite, Computer labs, breakout spaces, student meeting areas, dedicated MBA suite, modern seminar rooms, multiple lecture theatres, a big atrium for conference and meeting events, and an ASPIRE lab. You'll often see students studying all around, or just sitting comfortably whilst waiting for friends or lectures to start - it's a really comforting environment there. Plus, the building has a nice little cafe for coffee breaks as a cherry on top. Kent actually wanted these two schools to also be shared by the two schools in order for networking between the cohorts to be easier - and you'll not only see this through the different students talking to each other, but students from the other school always being invited to attend events hosted by the other - i.e Economics students are free to join their KBS entreprenuer events, and KBS students are always free to join Economic panels hosting famous and influential speakers in the economics world.

Anyways, I'm sorry for writing a lot, but I do feel like Kent would be a great place for you to study. It has been for me afterall!

I hope this helped at least somewhat.
If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask

.

Warm Regards,
David

University of Kent Student Rep

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