UK MBA in Finance


Higgins

Besides London Business School, what are the best schools to go to in the UK for finance? So far, I'm considering the full-time programs at these schools: Cass, Manchester, Warwick.

About me: British, 28, with five years of experience in banking (started as a teller, now an account manager.) My GMAT score is 640. I'd like to go into a career in either private equity or investment banking.

Besides London Business School, what are the best schools to go to in the UK for finance? So far, I'm considering the full-time programs at these schools: Cass, Manchester, Warwick.

About me: British, 28, with five years of experience in banking (started as a teller, now an account manager.) My GMAT score is 640. I'd like to go into a career in either private equity or investment banking.
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Duncan

Imperial College and the University of Cambridge should also be on your list (because these schools have excellent placement into investment banking) but you'll find it much easier if you work on your GMAT.

Imperial College and the University of Cambridge should also be on your list (because these schools have excellent placement into investment banking) but you'll find it much easier if you work on your GMAT.
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nxm250

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ralph

Imperial College and the University of Cambridge should also be on your list (because these schools have excellent placement into investment banking)

Good suggestions, Duncan. In terms of curriculum, Imperial is generally a good choice for finance-minded students: you can choose from electives that cover topics like derivatives, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, etc.

Plus, its London location puts you in close proximity to the big finance players.

<blockquote>Imperial College and the University of Cambridge should also be on your list (because these schools have excellent placement into investment banking)</blockquote>
Good suggestions, Duncan. In terms of curriculum, Imperial is generally a good choice for finance-minded students: you can choose from electives that cover topics like derivatives, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, etc.

Plus, its London location puts you in close proximity to the big finance players.
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Higgins

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to put Imperial College on my list. As the average GMAT score for accepted students is a bit above mine, I think I might do some GMAT prep and then retake the exam.

It looks like at many of these schools (including Imperial) there are far more international students in the MBA cohorts than students from the UK. Would this make it easier for me, as a domestic student, to get in?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to put Imperial College on my list. As the average GMAT score for accepted students is a bit above mine, I think I might do some GMAT prep and then retake the exam.

It looks like at many of these schools (including Imperial) there are far more international students in the MBA cohorts than students from the UK. Would this make it easier for me, as a domestic student, to get in?
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maubia

Hi,
what's your gpa? Imperial is quite strict on this topic...

Hi,
what's your gpa? Imperial is quite strict on this topic...
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ralph

It looks like at many of these schools (including Imperial) there are far more international students in the MBA cohorts than students from the UK. Would this make it easier for me, as a domestic student, to get in?

Interesting. I don't think Imperial has quotas, but I know that the number of international students in their programs has been rising substantially over the years. If this is due to a lack of interest from UK students, then you might have a better chance.

Because many international students have strong GMAT scores and experience in focused technical fields, perhaps framing yourself as being more well-rounded in some way would help? Not as many people come from a banking background as say, IT or engineering.

<blockquote>It looks like at many of these schools (including Imperial) there are far more international students in the MBA cohorts than students from the UK. Would this make it easier for me, as a domestic student, to get in?</blockquote>
Interesting. I don't think Imperial has quotas, but I know that the number of international students in their programs has been rising substantially over the years. If this is due to a lack of interest from UK students, then you might have a better chance.

Because many international students have strong GMAT scores and experience in focused technical fields, perhaps framing yourself as being more well-rounded in some way would help? Not as many people come from a banking background as say, IT or engineering.
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Higgins

Hi,
what's your gpa? Imperial is quite strict on this topic...

Upper second class honors.

How much of a factor is GPA in getting a placement there? Would it be easier if I was able to get my GMAT score a bit higher?

<blockquote>Hi,
what's your gpa? Imperial is quite strict on this topic...</blockquote>
Upper second class honors.

How much of a factor is GPA in getting a placement there? Would it be easier if I was able to get my GMAT score a bit higher?
quote
maubia

Hi,
what's your gpa? Imperial is quite strict on this topic...

Upper second class honors.

How much of a factor is GPA in getting a placement there? Would it be easier if I was able to get my GMAT score a bit higher?


you should ask them.. for example, about Italy they ask min. 106/110, usa 3.4/4,ecc
They have been the only one to nag me about this issue.. all the other schools didn't bother (of course, they ll keep it into account but not in the first stage). Fyi, I asked them about emba (there, rules are a bit more relaxed, so they told me that I could improve my position maybe with the gmat)

<blockquote><blockquote>Hi,
what's your gpa? Imperial is quite strict on this topic...</blockquote>
Upper second class honors.

How much of a factor is GPA in getting a placement there? Would it be easier if I was able to get my GMAT score a bit higher?</blockquote>

you should ask them.. for example, about Italy they ask min. 106/110, usa 3.4/4,ecc
They have been the only one to nag me about this issue.. all the other schools didn't bother (of course, they ll keep it into account but not in the first stage). Fyi, I asked them about emba (there, rules are a bit more relaxed, so they told me that I could improve my position maybe with the gmat)
quote
ezra

you should ask them..

Good advice. I would also add that you'd be in a much better position if you were to improve you GMAT score to a point above the average (which, I believe, is around 660.)

Also, a good practice is to apply to one or two more "safety schools" where you have a better chance to get in. Doing this allows you to hedge your bets in case you don't get into your top choice. So, consider applying to Cass and Warwick (as examples), which generally accept students with lower GMAT scores.

<blockquote>you should ask them.. </blockquote>
Good advice. I would also add that you'd be in a much better position if you were to improve you GMAT score to a point above the average (which, I believe, is around 660.)

Also, a good practice is to apply to one or two more "safety schools" where you have a better chance to get in. Doing this allows you to hedge your bets in case you don't get into your top choice. So, consider applying to Cass and Warwick (as examples), which generally accept students with lower GMAT scores.
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Higgins

I retook the GMAT after some dedicated prep and received a 740.

What are my chances at the schools above now considering I'm late in the application cycle? It looks like LBS is in its last MBA application round, is it worth applying now or waiting for the next cycle?

I retook the GMAT after some dedicated prep and received a 740.

What are my chances at the schools above now considering I'm late in the application cycle? It looks like LBS is in its last MBA application round, is it worth applying now or waiting for the next cycle?
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Duncan

Apply now.

Apply now.
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Higgins

Turns out I missed the application deadline because responsibilities at work ramped-up for me in the last few months.

I'll be 29 at the next intake, is it still worth applying for the next class?

Turns out I missed the application deadline because responsibilities at work ramped-up for me in the last few months.

I'll be 29 at the next intake, is it still worth applying for the next class?
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Duncan

Yes, The 2014 round will open in a couple of months at most schools. Get in early.

Yes, The 2014 round will open in a couple of months at most schools. Get in early.
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aftab43

Dear Duncan,
Would you please elaborate over the choice of school if I want to work in healthcare sector. I want to apply in Warwick, Cranfield, Imperial College business school, CASS.
Thanks

Dear Duncan,
Would you please elaborate over the choice of school if I want to work in healthcare sector. I want to apply in Warwick, Cranfield, Imperial College business school, CASS.
Thanks
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Duncan

Try this approach: http://www.find-mba.com/board/33571 In which country do you want to work? I guess you will appreciate that the bulk of the UK healthcare industry is nationalised, and thus not a big recruiter of MBAs.

Try this approach: http://www.find-mba.com/board/33571 In which country do you want to work? I guess you will appreciate that the bulk of the UK healthcare industry is nationalised, and thus not a big recruiter of MBAs.
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Duncan

PS Also look at http://www.brunel.ac.uk/bbs/mba/mba-specialisations/healthcare-management

PS Also look at http://www.brunel.ac.uk/bbs/mba/mba-specialisations/healthcare-management
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