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Bayes or KCL

I’ve applied for MSc corporate finance at both Bayes and KCL and really struggling to pick between the two

For context I have already received an offer with a partial scholarship for Bayes and am yet to hear back from KCL

Anyone with any thoughts would be highly appreciated!!

Reply 1

Original post
by Henryoconnor
I’ve applied for MSc corporate finance at both Bayes and KCL and really struggling to pick between the two
For context I have already received an offer with a partial scholarship for Bayes and am yet to hear back from KCL
Anyone with any thoughts would be highly appreciated!!

Here's a breakdown in my opinion from some research I've done (and with experience working at a Business School)!

1. Course strength & academic focus comparing the 2
Bayes MSc Corporate Finance
Bayes Corporate Finance MSc is very specialised and built around valuation, M&A, IPOs, corporate governance, risk, and real‑world applications taught by City of London practitioners. The course is designed to prepare graduates for investment banking, corporate finance advisory, and risk roles, and teaching is shaped heavily by industry input.

Bayes’ finance courses are also part of a highly ranked master’s suite, the school holds triple accreditation which i know some student value.

King’s College London MSc Finance (Corporate Finance)
KCL’s Corporate Finance MSc provides a broader foundation in finance, covering investment management, risk management, valuation, derivatives, and corporate finance theory with a strong academic research angle. It benefits from being taught by an internationally recognised business school with strong institutional links and extensive tutorial support.

2. Rep in the finance industry
In London finance circles, Bayes is recognised as a strong practical, industry connected finance school, especially for corporate finance, because of its location in the City and close employer ties.

In comparison KCL is academically prestigious and globally recognised, but for finance specifically, it is not considered a traditional target school for front office roles in the same way as places like Imperial or LSE. Try and chat to a recruiter about this to see if you can get some insight from them.

3. Think about location, networking, and industry exposure
Bayes Located in the heart of the City of London literally surrounded by banks, consultancies. This boosts networking, events, guest lectures, and practical insights significantly. Check out their website and see what they've been offering on this front.
KCL Still in central London and close to major financial districts, but its finance programmes are less directly embedded in City networks compared to Bayes’ long‑standing ties.

4. Career outcomes
Bayes Strong placement rate: over 90%+ find roles within months (from overall MSc Finance data). Corporate Finance MSc includes CFA partner status and offers ACCA/CIMA exemptions. I found this on the Bayes website.

KCL Good outcomes for financial analyst, investment management, and risk roles. Strong global brand can help internationally if you want to work abroad.

5. Fees & Scholarships

Bayes MSc Corporate Finance: £31,000 tuition.

KCL MSc Corporate Finance: £45,100 tuition (2026 entry).

Since you already have a partial scholarship from Bayes you should consider that in your decision.

Using the info I've given you, plus extra research, I'd weigh it up in terms of what YOU prefer.

I hope that helps,
Mandi - The University of Law🎓️

Reply 2

Original post
by Henryoconnor
I’ve applied for MSc corporate finance at both Bayes and KCL and really struggling to pick between the two
For context I have already received an offer with a partial scholarship for Bayes and am yet to hear back from KCL
Anyone with any thoughts would be highly appreciated!!

I'm biased but Bayes

Reply 3

Original post
by llama02
I'm biased but Bayes


How come you have a bias? Feel like it’s a good sign if you have a positive bias though

Reply 4

I wonder how Bayes works with Uni of Law as the opinion seems to be very much one sided? Although I agree KCL is not strong in Business area.

Reply 5

Original post
by Henryoconnor
I’ve applied for MSc corporate finance at both Bayes and KCL and really struggling to pick between the two
For context I have already received an offer with a partial scholarship for Bayes and am yet to hear back from KCL
Anyone with any thoughts would be highly appreciated!!

Hey Henry, congrats on your Bayes offer!

As a Bayes Representative and a current Bayes MSc Management student, I can’t really speak for KCL. But I’m happy to share some insight into what it’s like attending Bayes and what you can expect.

Firstly, the MSc Finance (Corporate Finance) at Bayes is specifically built to develop corporate finance capability, and Bayes really embeds career strategy into its postgraduate programmes. It isn’t just something you think about at the end of the year at a careers fair. I’m guessing you’ve already looked at the programme page, but I’ll share it here anyway in case you want to revisit the specific details as I'm not really specialized in finance as a management student.

If rankings and brand matter to you, Bayes is strong on that front too. Bayes is one of the few business schools with the Triple Crown Accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS), and it appears frequently in the Financial Times rankings (5th in the UK and 2nd in London for Finance). Of course, rankings aren’t the end all be all, but they can definitely help with long-term signalling.

From a student experience perspective, I’ve personally found Bayes extremely rewarding. You end up with a pretty tight-knit cohort and you’re constantly collaborating, whether that’s through regular classwork, group coursework, or events. I’m new to London myself, so being able to build those relationships quickly has been beneficial academically, but also socially. And Bayes being right in Central London makes the whole experience feel even more immersive.

You also have a great selection of Bayes clubs you can join. I’m personally in the Bayes Consulting Club, which I’ve found super interesting, we had a great talk from an Assistant Director at Deloitte on Defence and Infrastructure consulting last week. For you specifically, I think you’d really like the Bayes Finance & Banking Club and the Bayes M&A and PE Club.

Career support has also been fantastic, and I’ve genuinely benefited from it. They offer 1:1 career coaching and advice (career consultations, mock interviews, CV and cover letter feedback, etc.), corporate engagement events, workshops, and a ton of online resources. The market is tough at the moment, so that support really adds up.

Since you already have a scholarship, your ROI will also be better, especially given London can be pretty pricey. And if you haven’t already, I’d recommend booking an MSc consultation for the programme too, it can be a helpful way to get answers specific to your situation.

Hope this helps, and best of luck making your choice!

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