QMUL (AAA) vs Exeter (ABB) for Investment Banking – Which Should I Pick?
Hi everyone,
I’ve received offers for BSc Economics from both Queen Mary University of London (AAA) and University of Exeter (ABB, contextual), and I’m trying to decide which one would be better for breaking into investment banking or high finance.
From what I understand:
• Exeter is a semi-target for IB, meaning it has some presence in the industry, but it’s not on the level of Oxbridge, LSE, or Warwick.
• QMUL is a non-target, meaning recruitment is much less common directly from there.
• However, QMUL is in London, so I’d be surrounded by networking opportunities, insight events, and finance-related societies, which my cousin (who works in finance) says is a huge advantage.
I’m torn between these two options:
• Should I go for Exeter, since it has a better reputation for finance and IB recruitment?
• Or should I go for QMUL, since being in London might give me better access to networking and finance events?
I’d really appreciate insights from anyone in IB or with knowledge of how recruitment works for students from these unis! Thanks in advance.
I’ve received offers for BSc Economics from both Queen Mary University of London (AAA) and University of Exeter (ABB, contextual), and I’m trying to decide which one would be better for breaking into investment banking or high finance.
From what I understand:
• Exeter is a semi-target for IB, meaning it has some presence in the industry, but it’s not on the level of Oxbridge, LSE, or Warwick.
• QMUL is a non-target, meaning recruitment is much less common directly from there.
• However, QMUL is in London, so I’d be surrounded by networking opportunities, insight events, and finance-related societies, which my cousin (who works in finance) says is a huge advantage.
I’m torn between these two options:
• Should I go for Exeter, since it has a better reputation for finance and IB recruitment?
• Or should I go for QMUL, since being in London might give me better access to networking and finance events?
I’d really appreciate insights from anyone in IB or with knowledge of how recruitment works for students from these unis! Thanks in advance.
Reply 1
Hiii, If your goal is investment banking, QMUL is the stronger choice due to: London location (easier networking, internships) Semi-target status (better recruitment prospects) Stronger brand in finance
The only reason to pick Exeter is if you strongly prefer the lower grade requirements, but for IB, QMUL will set you up much better.
The only reason to pick Exeter is if you strongly prefer the lower grade requirements, but for IB, QMUL will set you up much better.
Reply 2
Original post
by mohsinKHi everyone,
I’ve received offers for BSc Economics from both Queen Mary University of London (AAA) and University of Exeter (ABB, contextual), and I’m trying to decide which one would be better for breaking into investment banking or high finance.
From what I understand:
• Exeter is a semi-target for IB, meaning it has some presence in the industry, but it’s not on the level of Oxbridge, LSE, or Warwick.
• QMUL is a non-target, meaning recruitment is much less common directly from there.
• However, QMUL is in London, so I’d be surrounded by networking opportunities, insight events, and finance-related societies, which my cousin (who works in finance) says is a huge advantage.
I’m torn between these two options:
• Should I go for Exeter, since it has a better reputation for finance and IB recruitment?
• Or should I go for QMUL, since being in London might give me better access to networking and finance events?
I’d really appreciate insights from anyone in IB or with knowledge of how recruitment works for students from these unis! Thanks in advance.
I’ve received offers for BSc Economics from both Queen Mary University of London (AAA) and University of Exeter (ABB, contextual), and I’m trying to decide which one would be better for breaking into investment banking or high finance.
From what I understand:
• Exeter is a semi-target for IB, meaning it has some presence in the industry, but it’s not on the level of Oxbridge, LSE, or Warwick.
• QMUL is a non-target, meaning recruitment is much less common directly from there.
• However, QMUL is in London, so I’d be surrounded by networking opportunities, insight events, and finance-related societies, which my cousin (who works in finance) says is a huge advantage.
I’m torn between these two options:
• Should I go for Exeter, since it has a better reputation for finance and IB recruitment?
• Or should I go for QMUL, since being in London might give me better access to networking and finance events?
I’d really appreciate insights from anyone in IB or with knowledge of how recruitment works for students from these unis! Thanks in advance.
Exeter is a strong semi target a lot of friends I know have went into IB securing internships etc, haven’t heard too much about queen mary
Reply 3
mohsinK
OP
3
Original post
by ByrceExeter is a strong semi target a lot of friends I know have went into IB securing internships etc, haven’t heard too much about queen mary
For someone without those existing networks (me), wouldn’t being in London (QMUL) provide a better chance to build connections through networking events, insight days, and spring weeks? Given how important networking is for IB, do you think the location factor could make up for Exeter’s reputation?
Reply 4
mohsinK
OP
3
Original post
by hannaaaaaaaaaaahHiii, If your goal is investment banking, QMUL is the stronger choice due to: London location (easier networking, internships) Semi-target status (better recruitment prospects) Stronger brand in finance
The only reason to pick Exeter is if you strongly prefer the lower grade requirements, but for IB, QMUL will set you up much better.
The only reason to pick Exeter is if you strongly prefer the lower grade requirements, but for IB, QMUL will set you up much better.
Reply 5
Original post
by mohsinKHi everyone,
I’ve received offers for BSc Economics from both Queen Mary University of London (AAA) and University of Exeter (ABB, contextual), and I’m trying to decide which one would be better for breaking into investment banking or high finance.
From what I understand:
• Exeter is a semi-target for IB, meaning it has some presence in the industry, but it’s not on the level of Oxbridge, LSE, or Warwick.
• QMUL is a non-target, meaning recruitment is much less common directly from there.
• However, QMUL is in London, so I’d be surrounded by networking opportunities, insight events, and finance-related societies, which my cousin (who works in finance) says is a huge advantage.
I’m torn between these two options:
• Should I go for Exeter, since it has a better reputation for finance and IB recruitment?
• Or should I go for QMUL, since being in London might give me better access to networking and finance events?
I’d really appreciate insights from anyone in IB or with knowledge of how recruitment works for students from these unis! Thanks in advance.
I’ve received offers for BSc Economics from both Queen Mary University of London (AAA) and University of Exeter (ABB, contextual), and I’m trying to decide which one would be better for breaking into investment banking or high finance.
From what I understand:
• Exeter is a semi-target for IB, meaning it has some presence in the industry, but it’s not on the level of Oxbridge, LSE, or Warwick.
• QMUL is a non-target, meaning recruitment is much less common directly from there.
• However, QMUL is in London, so I’d be surrounded by networking opportunities, insight events, and finance-related societies, which my cousin (who works in finance) says is a huge advantage.
I’m torn between these two options:
• Should I go for Exeter, since it has a better reputation for finance and IB recruitment?
• Or should I go for QMUL, since being in London might give me better access to networking and finance events?
I’d really appreciate insights from anyone in IB or with knowledge of how recruitment works for students from these unis! Thanks in advance.
Id say go with Uni of Exeter, they have loads of connections with IB firms such as JPM,UBS, standard charter, Barclays, HSBC and others with their degree apprenticeships, obviously of you were to go uni, the degree apprenticeships would not help, but as the are partnered with these firms I think that they will most likely have career fair and other campus recruitment event. Secondly, even though it is not in London, it does not necessarily prevent you from net working as you can still apply for the spring weeks and interns, but you would just have to travel further. Lastly, like you said, even though Exeter is only a semi-target uni, I think their reputation and prestigiousness is better than QMUL. I also have a offer from Exeter for investment banking (some how grade requirement of AAB ☹️ )
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