Hello members. I'd like to know whether a Masters in Finance from International University of Monaco a really good investment.... They offer two concentrations Hedge Funds & Private Equity and Private Banking & International Wealth Management.

From a quick-look, one can temptingly think it'd offer strong networking opportunities considering its location and presence in Monaco. But, I tried the Linkedin method and surprisingly didn't find a single lad working in Private Equities, Hedge Funds or Wealth Management.

In addition, I doubt its academic strength as well as career services and cohort considering its absence from most of the rankings.

The question is - is it really worth it?

I think the FT does a great job with http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2013

EDHEC in Nice is the best school if you are specifically targeting Monte Carlo.

Also see http://www.cfainstitute.org/community/university/Pages/cfa_program_university_partners.aspx

A couple of things:

As firms that work in these sectors you are targeting have a broader European presence, you might want to think about other programs across the continent (France especially) and even in the UK.

Secondly, a lot of hiring in these firms is based on networking rather than having a specific degree from a specific school, so use the time in your program to hit the ground and connect with anybody you can in the firms you are targeting. This is especially important since the small size of virtually all of the country's industries mean that there isn't really all that much hiring going on. Even the school's MBA grads are pretty widely spread out across Europe.

I doubt its academic strength as well as career services and cohort considering its absence from most of the rankings.

Hipster is right about the networking being vital, but don't forget that alumni networks are amongst the most powerful networks. There are huge differences between good schools and weak schools. EDHEC is #4 MiF worldwide, and IUM isn't on the FT list. Several things come along with that...

Good point, Duncan.

Thank you Duncan and MBAHipster! Both of you've put it really well. It gets down to how easily you do get in to the network and use it to your best.

Besides EDHEC, May I also look at some of programs off-shooting to financial centers across continental Europe? Such as, HEC Lausanne; strong alumni-base in Geneva.

And, Universite du Luxembourg? Luxembourg has a stable financial services sector. The Luxembourg School of Finance (a school of UniL) offers Masters in Banking & Finance with Investment Management stream. It seems to have sound curriculum with strong local/industry ties.

I get the feeling that you're looking at inexpensive courses. Really try the FT rankings.

I'm not sure why you'd get this feeling. The programs' fees may be low, but the cost of living in CH and LU bring them to the more or less same level when it comes to investment. I agree, there may be some programs which still require more investment than those two. I was probably fixated on the " industry connections".

Expenses are secondary, if that may change your answer.

I'm not sure why you'd get this feeling. The programs' fees may be low, but the cost of living in CH and LU bring them to the more or less same level when it comes to investment. I agree, there may be some programs which still require more investment than those two. I was probably fixated on the " industry connections".

Expenses are secondary, if that may change your answer.