Dear Sir,
I always get an MBA acceptance letter from the University of Exeter. But, I'm not sure, should I study an MSc in investment or MSc in Finance rather than MBA? The main reason is that I want to work in the Merger & Acquisition sector. Before I apply to Exeter, I plan to take the CFA exam while studying the pre-master program at Exeter. Additionally, I also think that MBA has more reputation than MSc, and it can also boost my salary. But, some people said Exeter is more focused on sustainable business. So, I am worried that if I study Exeter MBA, is it easy to get a job in the banking or financial sector? I really appreciate your time.
Thanks

M&A is a highly specific role, and its more competitive than finance or banking more broadly. The big difference for M&A will be between school rather than degree. A MiF from a better school will be more useful than an MBA from a worse school. 

Read the post on my profile page about using LinkedIn.  You can find the best placed schools. In the UK it's much better schools. Why not aim for a top MiF? 

[Edited by Duncan on Feb 21, 2023]

Dear Mr Duncan,
Thank you for your explanation. May I know studying mba together with CFA is better or only MSc is better for my career? I’m not sure that which MSc is best for me investment management or Finance or financial banking. I’m confused in this part. Thank u sir for giving your time 

Most MiF degrees at good schools will be CFA partner programmes, so the content will be very similar. Unless you take a long MBA (Like LBS or Alliance Manchester) an MBA will have less finance content than a MiF. Other things being equal, you will be able to get into a better school for a MiF than for an MBA. These MiF degrees will have slightly different names but that's not significant. Just focus on  programmes in the CFA partner programme and then, withing those, look for the monest that most cover the CFA body of knowledge. https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/about/universities/university-affiliation#sort=%40titlewithfallback%20ascending&f:CountryRegion=[United%20Kingdom] 

I appreciate the information and advice you have shared Sir! Now I intend to apply MSc investment banking at Queen Mary University. 

[Edited by Rose on Feb 22, 2023]

Earlier on I wrote that "the big difference for M&A will be between school rather than degree." I don't think QMUL will be better a better school than Exeter. Exeter, for example, has triple crown accreditation and is in the top 50 MiF schools: https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2874/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2022 

I’m a little bit worried that I got the acceptance letter from their MBA which is intended for sustainable business. So, if I apply their MiF, they might be doubt my intention. As I mentioned early, should I do self study CFA level 1 & 2 and Exeter MBA? May I know does the administration committee is the same for both Master and MBA in business school? 

It's reasonable for them to be curious about your goals. If you want to work in M&A, why apply to a sustainability MBA? Do you want to focus on M&A in the sustainability sector? 

Exeter and QMUL are not the only business schools. In my first post on this thread, I suggested that you look at the business schools whose alumni are most involved in M&A. If you are aiming at much better schools, it will be easier to get into an MSc than an MBA. I assume you are not an exceptionally strong candidate if you are applying to Exeter. The ideal MiF degrees (in the UK) for M&A are Imperial, LBS, the LSE and Oxbridge. Those might be a stretch for you, so consider Bayes, Cranfield, Edinburgh, and Warwick. 

PS If those don't work, Henley and Lancaster are options.  

[Edited by Duncan on Feb 22, 2023]

Thank you for all your insight and wisdom. I felt so relieved after this conversation, and it totally put my mind at ease. I had been struggling to process all the information I needed to make a good decision, but you really helped me Mr. Duncan.