UK MFE program enquiries (which school to pick)

lch0928 · June 12th, 2012, 1:28 pm

Dear all,I got MSc Fin Math / MFE offers from the following universities in UK:1. Birkbeck College, University of London - MSc Financial Engineering2. University of Leicester - MSc Financial Mathematics and Computation3. University of Essex - MSc Computational Finance4. University of York - MSc Statistics and Computational FinanceBut I am still thinking which one to pick....Obviously Birkbeck and York are better deals but I am now somehow indifferent between the two......May I have some advices by you guys on this?Million thanks!Dave

Anomanderis · June 12th, 2012, 3:38 pm

My advice - Birbeck. You get access to internships and networking in London. Unfortunately I know nothing about the quality of said degrees, so I can't advise accordingly.

ashkar · June 12th, 2012, 4:24 pm

What is your background (degree, experience)?

lch0928 · June 13th, 2012, 12:36 am

I am from Hong Kong, graduated with major in economics and finance. I have been working in a commercial bank for 2 years. My position is nothing related to quant or trading.

lch0928 · June 13th, 2012, 12:41 am

Is there anyone who can comment on the quality of the programs in York and Birkbeck?

ashkar · June 14th, 2012, 8:06 am

Birkbeck teaching and course content is fine. Not many lab sessions in matlab/c++ though. Career service is non existant. Its very good for part-time option if you're already working in the industry. However, I wouldnt advise bbk for full-time studies. You need to have a strong network of colleagues and staff to convert a degree into a good job. Out of that list, BBK is still the best though.

ashkar · June 14th, 2012, 10:38 am

QuoteOriginally posted by: lch0928I am from Hong Kong, graduated with major in economics and finance. I have been working in a commercial bank for 2 years. My position is nothing related to quant or trading.Its rare to see quants with a non tech (math+programming) background so I doubt Fin Eng programs will help you to get into a quant team. And, if you're interested in other areas of finance then a general MSc Finance in a good name university will be far better than these unis.

lch0928 · June 16th, 2012, 11:20 am

Ashkar are you a graduate from bbk?

lch0928 · June 20th, 2012, 10:23 pm

Ashkar,If you were me, which one will you pick for full time study between York and Birkbeck??

mit · June 20th, 2012, 11:28 pm

why not learn some english and french first

ashkar · June 21st, 2012, 6:39 am

QuoteOriginally posted by: lch0928Ashkar,If you were me, which one will you pick for full time study between York and Birkbeck??Pls check pm.

Eriatarka · June 26th, 2012, 9:02 am

It depends what sort of job you want after. I doubt you would be competitive for a BB front office quant job with any of those (especially in the current market), but if you are happy working in back office or IT then fine (and these still pay fairly well). Otherwise you would be better trying to boost your CV then reapplying to somewhere like Oxford/Imperial/LSE You should ask the program director for full details of how the last few years cohorts placed; I would guess that York would do slightly better, but have no idea really.

lch0928 · June 26th, 2012, 2:01 pm

EriatarkaDo you know anything about York's program / reputation?Dave