If you’re studying a Masters in Finance or MSc in finance, what will you do when it finishes? Having spent big money on the qualification, will you get a big job in the front office of an investment bank (eg. a job in sales, trading, or M&A), or will you move into something more modest like risk management, or a bank’s accounting team?
Our own CV database suggests Masters in Finance courses aren’t an assured route into the front office. While 70% of Masters in Finance graduates have a role on or near the trading floor, only 33% actually describe themselves as “traders.” Therefore, just because you’ve done a top Masters in Finance and just because you have a job at a top bank, you may not be in the role you’d hoped for when the course began.
So, which Masters courses are most likely to land you in an actual trading job? Using figures from our own database and publicly available information on candidates’ roles and resumes, we’ve identified the top 10 below. These look like the best bets if you want to be a trader rather than an accountant or risk specialist.
1. The London Business School’s Masters in Finance Programme
Designed for people with a few years’ experience in finance already, the London Business School’s MIF programme puts by far the largest number of graduates into trading roles. It’s more expensive (£38.5K) than most courses, but there’s a part time option to let you work while you study and there’s a 16 month option which allows you to complete a banking internship mid-course.
2. Bocconi University’s Master of Science in Finance
Graduates from Milan’s Bocconi University are also well represented in trading roles globally. The Schools Master of Science in Finance says that many of its graduates go into trading roles, and our research confirms this. The course is cheap compared to the London Business School, costing around €24k euros over two years. The course can be taught in English, but students must study a European language alongside this.
3. The London School of Economics’ MSc in Finance
The MSc Finance at the London School of Economics comes third on our ranking. The programme is offered on a full or part time basis. Graduates earn an average of £40.8k in their first year after graduation. The course costs £30.4k.
4. Imperial College Business School’s MSc in Finance
Continuing the preeminence of courses based in London, Imperial College Business School’s MSc in finance ranks fourth for trading careers. Unlike other courses listed, this is a 12 month course. The cost - £29.2k – is still very steep though. Imperial says its MSc in finance graduates have gone into sales and trading jobs at JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and elsewhere.
5. HEC’s Masters in International Finance
French business school HEC also produces plenty of future traders. Its Masters in International Finance is a 10 month programme, taught in English. It costs €22.4k if you’re a European student and €24.6k if you’re not.
6. HEC’s Master Management
Ranking behind HEC’s Masters in International Finance, HEC’s 18 month Master in Management also cultivates trading talent. 23% of its graduates go into finance. The course costs €26k in tuition fees if you’re a European student and €36k in tuition fees if you’re not. It’s also taught in English and there’s an opportunity to specialize in the second year.
7. Cass Business School’s MSc in Trading and Mathematical Finance
The MSc in Trading and Mathematical Finance at Cass lasts one year full time or two years part time. It will cost you £23k in fees. Our research suggests that a fair number of Cass’s Trading and Mathematical Finance graduates end up as traders, although the school itself suggests plenty also go into research and risk roles.
8. Imperial’s MSc in Risk Management and Financial Engineering
Although it has risk in the title, Imperial’s MSc in Risk Management and Financial Engineering still ranks as one of the top 10 courses for trading roles. Costing £29.9k, the course lasts 12 months and includes an opportunity to learn programming languages like C++.
9. University of St. Gallen’s Master of Arts in Financial Technologies
The fancily named Master of Arts in Financial Technologies at St. Gallen in Switzerland is a one year programme costing a mere CHF4.2k if you’re Swiss and CHF10k if you’re not. Graduates go to work for the likes of Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse.
10. IE Business School’s Masters in Finance
The Masters in Finance at Madrid-based IE business school ranks 10th on our list for Masters courses if you want a trading career. Costing €35.2k euros, the course lasts for 10 months and includes preparation for CFA Level I.
Related articles:
How to get an entry level job in sales and trading
The top 35 MBAs for getting a job in hedge funds, private equity and asset management
The top 25 Masters in Finance for getting a job in investment banking
Will this qualification get you a £120k job in risk management?