LBS MiM or HEC Grande Ecole MSc??

Hello all, I trust you are all doing well. I applied to some business schools in Europe and it turns out that I have been admitted to both London Business School and HEC Paris for their respective Masters in Management (MiM) programs. I'm in quite a fix now though (a good kind, I know, but still a fix!) because I can't quite decide between the two - I was hoping you all might have some insight to share to help bring a little more clarity to the matter for me.

Just for some context, my objectives for doing an MiM are (in order) 1) to gain practiced business skills and knowledge, 2) to leverage the brand and personal development programs of the school to get a good start in the job market, 3) to identify possible future specializations and industries and 4) to learn a second language (I have intermediate fluency in both french and spanish). I am open to working in the US, Europe and Asia (where I hail from) after I finish my postgraduate studies. One main weakness to my resume is that I have only done one summer corporate internship (unpaid, freshman summer) so I lack the soft-skills and experience of working. My interests career-wise are management consulting, branding/marketing and social enterprise, and industries like telecoms, energy, new media and internet technologies all interest me.

What makes the decision so difficult is that I feel like there are different sets of pros and cons associated with each choice, that are hard to compare. LBS is a brand new one-year intensive program. It's new so I expect teething problems, it's one-year and intensive which is cheaper and more 'efficient', it's LBS which is a top-name school, it's in the heart of London so lots of big businesses and opportunities there. No chance to do an internship to bring back to class though.

HEC is the top MiM program globally for many years now so it will be a great learning experience, but I'm worried that it's reach is only European, or worse, within France. It's two-years, so more costly, but I plan to take a gap year in between my first and second years to do one or two long internships in Europe, and gain fluency in french. I don't mind limiting my first job search to Europe but I would not be fully ok with just France.

I apologize for the lengthiness of this, but I figured some context and my initial thoughts would help you all get a better idea of my dilemma. Any and all thoughts would be greatly appreciated regarding what you think is the true value of each degree. Am I just paying for the name of LBS on my resume? Is getting work experience much more important for me at this point than finishing my MiM in a year? These are just some of the questions I've been thinking over.

Thanks for reading, and for being willing to hear me out.

Reply 1

In1Su

Toss a coin. That usually works.

Reply 2

raykee

it landed on its edge.

Reply 3

fais

First of all, I wouldn't say HEC's reach is just France, or even Europe; any decent employer will have heard and know of it. Personally though, I'd go for LBS, and not just because of its rep, but also because of its strength in the tech/social enterprising arena. It's the languages that really complicates things, as you'd obviously not be able to pick up a language (to any fluency) at LBS, but then again if you pick an overseas job off the back of your LBS degree, then you can be earning and learning the language at the same time (and earn considerably more than the internships in your gap year at HEC).

Just my $0.02.

Reply 4

raykee

fais

thanks for your 2 cents, fais. very much appreciated. you say, lbs has some strength in tech/social enterprise but i've not come across anything (yet) that points particularly toward this - could you kindly elaborate?

i do agree with your thoughts about learning french through other means. i know that even doing a msc in france does not guarantee that i will be speaking french at the end of two years if i'm only spending time with english-speaking classmates. i do think i might try learning french while at lbs (unlikely though because the course looks extremely rigorous and demanding) and get a job that could expose me to france and french. long way to go to fluency though.

thanks again for your comments. are you an alum of hec? or les grandes ecoles?

Reply 5

deldongo

Given your background and objectives I would recommend HEC. As said earlier it has a strong global reach, strong research and links with industry, unlike LBS the programme is not new and has produced some excellent and successful graduates. Furthermore I believe you have to do some mendatory internships which is what you need given your limited professional experiences.

Reply 6

raykee

thanks for your advice, deldongo. definitely food for thought. would my limited professional experiences severely hamper me from getting a good job, even if i am from lbs and do well on the interview? i mean, would the latter compensate for my lack of experience or is that experience a necessity for recruiters in any consulting firm hiring from a b-school?

Reply 7

Aemilius

Isn't it mandatory to do a years internship in order to pass MIM at HEC? If you don't have much experience this will def work towards your advantage. And lets not forget that this, more than often, leads to a full-time position once you gradaute.

The problem with LBS is also that the MIM programme may be overshadowed by thier flaghship MBA. A prof even said in an interview that the MIM at LBS is a chance for less experince tutotors to get experience. At HEC, however, thier proven ranking and flagship MIM will make for a world class experience.

Reply 8

deldongo

I think a degree from such a school can only improve your employability but it will not make up for a lack of experience. However, some professional experience with a good education can be enough for a good internship that may then be converted into a full time position. But if you arrive in the job market with a only a few month of experience you will definitely strugle, even if you come from LBS/HEC et al, expecially in this job market.

Reply 9

europe2010

Why don't you try to defer your LBS offer for one year to get 2-3 high qualty internships meanwhile? if that's not an option i would choose HEC for the sake of its etablished master programme and the mandatory internship! the better (if only marginal) brandname of LBS won't get you a job just like that without any decent professional background! hope that helps

Reply 10

redhovid

I am graduating next June and I am considering to apply to HEC, LSE and LBS for their management program. Although all three universities are very reputable, I reckon the HEC program is the pick of the lot. I have spoken to quite a number of people.

From what i understand, the HEC Grande Ecole is more established and very reputable among employers. It is the flagship program of HEC and the chance to undergo a good internship during the program is important for getting a good job upon graduation.

The LSE and LBS programs are reputable but the programs are not the focus of their respective institutions. Further, the LBS program is too new and untested. LBS does have a great MBA program. However, that might mean that the LBS MIM program could be overshadowed by the school's premiere program - the MBA.

Reply 11

tentop6521

MIM is a the money minting program of LBS. Don't be swayed by LBS' MBA reputation which doesn't necessarily apply to its MiM program just as how IE's Bschool rep doesn't carry over to its Master Finance program. That said, LBS is a "bigger" brand name, so if you've already got a good profile (ie. good internships), then certainly you could benefit from LBS. HEC has a well established program, and the has a great brand in Europe.

Reply 12

cpl.fir

I'd say look into the programme structure and course contents and give it another thought. Also, London is a much more vibrant place for business and jobs than Paris I think. Maybe there's a reason why they have compulsory internships at HEC. HEC offers LSE postgraduate students in various business/management a shortcut to its MBA programme. LBS is overall a notch higher, I think. If you find that the course details are more or less comparable, choose LBS and wow people. Besides, it's only a year.

As for the language thingy - I'm joining my Japan Society at LSE and will take their free language lessons! In business now, people speak French only to embellish their superb English.

Reply 13

firewolf7606

In my opinion I think that HEC is the better choice because:
1.) The program is more established (its older, its the number 1 program at hec, its been ranked and tested multiple times; its just known to be good)
2.) The gap year is a great oportunity to find your interests (if your not yet sure where u want to work I wouldnt take a FT offer) (plus you get to know different companies and can find your "fit")
3.) You learn the language
4.) Last but not least: Student life is ******* awesome: rather 2 years than 1 (plus it is probably a little more relaxed because it is spread out over 2 years)
4a) Exchange semester possibility at HEC (exchange semester is one of the greatest life experiences in my opinion)>i would advise asia^^

Reply 14

Abhyank

I am sure you must have graduated by now, but I’ll give my 2 cents hoping it helps others having the same doubts.

Both LBS and HEC Paris are top notch schools and taking an admit in either is a good investment.

LBS started its MiM program 7 years ago, entered FT MiM Ranking in 2014 at the 10^{th position}, and is now 6^th worldwide. It’s fast becoming on of LBS's flagship programs, and is especially a good choice If you know what you want to do, what skill sets you want to build and join the work force fast. With the 9 month course at LBS you really cant go wrong.

While HEC comes with a wide range of specialization, time to do exchange programs, double degree options and additional certificate programs sponsored by companies. IN addition, it has an option of gap year where you can try out a sector before committing to it. This way you are able to explore many more subjects in depth and see which field you are good at. Thus if you are more inclined towards exploring the business field, the 1.5 yeat course at HEC would be more ideal.

If you want to get into consulting in France you need to be fluent in French. While in the UK you may want to look into its strict immigration policies just in case you are non-EU. So that is something you have to consider.

Here are some of the facts and figures from their recent placement reports will give you a more concrete idea.

LBS:
Base Salary of £37,890
Employment rate is strong for MiM graduates with a 96% accepted a Job offer within 3 months of graduation
THighest Salary awarded £60,000
Consulting 40% Investment banking 18% Investment management 10% Private Equity & Venture Capital 4%

HEC :
Average salary of €52,000.
98% found employment within 3 months of graduation.
Finance 23% Consulting 36% High Tech 8% Consumer goods 7%

You can check out a pretty comprehensive MiM review of LBS here http://www.mim-essay.com/lbs-mim-review/ and for HEC Paris http://www.mim-essay.com/hec-mim-review/

(edited 8 years ago)