COMPARE MSc Oxford MCF vs Imperial Maths and Finance

[Miha T]

Hi,

I'm interested in MSc in Mathematical and Computational Finance in Oxford and MSc in Mathematics and Finance at Imperial College London. Hope to know what's people's opinion on the two courses?

Specifically which one would be a better one to break into the industry in City?

Also does anyone know how the MSc Thesis with a firm works at Imperial? Does everyone get an internship/project with some bank or is that just a marketing trick? More interested into how many of these projects actually change into offers afterwards..

Thank a lot for the help!

 

[Francis Chan]

Hi,

I'm currently holding an offer from Oxford for MSc in Mathematical and Computational Finance and from Imperial College London for MSc in Mathematics and Finance. Hope to know what's people's opinion on the two courses?

Specifically which one would be a better one to break into the industry in City? (Currently undergrad at Warwick University, but with no internship at any BB)

Also does anyone know how the MSc Thesis with a firm works at Imperial? Does everyone get an internship/project with some bank or is that just a marketing trick? More interested into how many of these projects actually change into offers afterwards..

Thank a lot for the help!

Congrats!

The both programs are top in UK, maybe top 1&2. However, in my opinion, never hesitate to choose Oxford, because it will be an honor for your whole lifetime.

There is an introduction for ICL math fin by a ex-student. But it's in Chinese, I am not sure if you are Chinese. But I can tell you a little.

As he said, the program will send you to those big names to have direct interview, such as Morgan, Barclay, UBS, BNP, etc. The administrator said if you find any work opportunity in London, just tell him, he will send you directly to the interview. If you cannot get an offer of internship, you need to do some projects. This is nearly guaranteed. More than a half students can get internship offer (all French, 7-8 Chinese). The courses of this program are challenging and very useful, but the market is too competitive. So it depends on the individual. But at last, the ex-student said if you got AD from Oxford, just go.

Here is the link:
http://bbs.taisha.org/thread-17072934-1-1.html

 

[Miha T]

Thanks for the additional info, as I am not Chinese I appreciate the translation as well ! Think I've decided to go with Oxford at the end, it's just a better fit for me.

Good luck with your applications and thank you for your help again!

 

[Khorge]

Make sure you find an internship or have experience before looking for jobs because otherwise it will be nearly impossible to land a FT offer after the MSc - even coming from Oxford

 

[Den Haag Finance]

IMO the best thing is to secure an intership by applying yourself. It is extremely difficult to get a FT offer. At Imperial, most people get a project at a large institution. Last year, only one person did not get it and that was his/hers own fault.

 

[Miha T]

Yeah that's my plan to apply for internships after, because I know that they essentially hire almost everyone for full time from interns.