Hi everyone, this is my first post.I´m 24 from Argentina and I´m currently in the process of choosing a course to specialize in finance. I already have a BA in business administration and 3 years experience in corporate commercial banking at a top-tier american bank. Since I have a general undergraduate degree I don´t want to take an MBA but a MSc in Finance. My idea is to apply to a course starting in 2003 in a top university in London (I have relatives living there). I´ve done some research and read many of your forums and according to these and my preferences I performed a ranking. This is not expected to be a ¨better than / worse than¨ rank, but a preference order I gave to many institutions and courses based on market reputation and what I already mentioned.1.London Business School (MSc in Finance)2.City University (MSc in Finance)3.London School in Economics (MSc in Accounting and Finance)4.Imperial College (MSc in Finance)5.Middle Sex University (MSc in International Finance)6.Brunel (Business Finance MSc)7.University of Westminster (MSc Quantitative Finance)8.Birkbeck (MSc in Finance)9.University of North London (International Finance MA)10.South Bank University (International Finance MA)11.University of Greenwich (MSc in International Banking and Finance)I haven´t recived all the course brochures yet, so I still have to evaluate well the content of each course and read in detail each subject / electives offered. Although this, It would be great and very helpful for me if you give me some feedback of their names and market reputation. I must apply between 4 and 6 to maximize my chances to be accepted to one of them. Obviously the first three have outstanding records, Imperial also but more quantitative oriented. Where I have doubts is among the others: MiddleSex, Brunel, Westminster, Birckbeck, North London, South Bank and Greenwich.Thanks,Nacho

NachoI can't comment on all the specific courses, but judging by the names of the institutions I would choose the top four names in your list plus Birkbeck, which has a very good reputation.

Thanks for your answer Johnny. I´d like also to know if it is possible for a non EU citizen to get a bank loan to finance its Masters Course. I read there is a scheme of HSBC for accepted students in LBS. But, do you know if there are other programs like this?Thanks,Nacho

I'm sorry. I don't know the answer to this. I'm sure there must be forum members that do know the answer though ...... also, try ringing the people at HSBC that deal with the LBS loans and see if they are amenable to financing students at other colleges. Or ring the admissions staff at the other colleges you are interested in and see if they know about financing arrangements. I'm sure they must get this question all the time. Best of luck

Hi Nacho, If I were you, I would try to avoid Brunel and City (very low quality-too much money!).LBS, LSE, Imperial and Birbeck are excellent choices. Why don't you look at Warwick as well, the have an excelltn MS in Economics and Finance.Best, Anton

When I did my homework on this I found it almost impossible for a non-EU citizen to get any kind of loan to finance studies other than LBS-HSBC scheme. I said 'almost' to be precise, yo can safely igore it when reading the previous sentence. My advice is to consider British Council - I was surprised with the number of people who study completely for free.Good luck.

I think the City program is pretty up-to-date and reasonable although it might be less quant-research based (end of the day depends what your interest is). I guess in most of the Fin Maths programs, the depth of materials covered varies and it is up to the individual to pursue the depth on their own. Seriously, i don't think there are lots of quant-research jobs out there and it is best to choose a program that you feel suits what you want to pursue as a career track after graduation. Having a degree from a more prestigous program does not gaurantee a job, it is a fair fight - the learning progress is the most important and showing the employer what you can contribute matters most not your brand degree (loads of people have one by the way).

Hi, I finished my Undergrad in Economics and Computer Science from Rutgers University, New Jersey, US. After doing some research I found out that many universities like Columbia, Cornell and NYU have started the Masters in Quatitative Finance program (almost three years ago). I guess my question is that if there is a strong global demand for this program and if this demand is going to stay in the long run. I am looking to enter the program by next year.

It seems the demand is mostly from students not employers

Hey Nacho,I wanted to know if you really got into any of the top 4 schools that you mentioned. I too am in a similar situation and wanted to know which school did you choose from and what all did you get?Thanks,Vinay

Take LBS or Cranfield have good programs.