Hey there,I am a Maths undergraduate at Imperial College London and a few days ago I received an offer for the Maths and Finance MSc, also at Imperial.Now there are two things that I am worried about, and perhaps somebody could give me some insight:1. The MSc is a 12 months course (September to September). So I checked the websites of most major banks and it seems that grad schemes (as well as all summer internships) start in July/August. Since the MSc timeline clearly conflicts with the timeline of those banks I am concerned whether I will be able to find a job after my graduation? Would I have to wait for a year? Or are there other sensible opportunities which I have missed? This brings me to my 2nd point:2. Imperial intends to allocate industrial placements to every student over the summer "in association with a bank, finance house, hedge fund, consultancy, or systems provider in the finance industry". But I am unsure whether this is in fact a decent placement (given that Imperial actually provides a placement for every student) or just a marketing scheme.I would be grateful for any kind of help.

I didn't do the same course but went to Imperial for a October to September course and the people in my class that went for internships or August starting jobs just did them alongside studies. I however wound up joining a company with a grad scheme start in October. The beginning of the MSc should be focused on securing interviews and prep until you get an offer you are willing to accept; heck start during summer for some of these. Too many people left this till the end when I was there and they all wound up unemployed for months.You should be able to structure your electives so you can do most in the second term and then have less pressure in the third term, given there are electives you want to do fit with that planning. Also if you do a dissertation at the end you can start that way earlier than they suggest.Regarding the placement check with how it went last year by talking to the career office.

usually they will allow you to submit your project in July to let you start your job. Alternative is to keep doing your project while you work. You dont have to attend uni after exams.

1. Hansi is correct. Most students finish majority of electives in first/second terms, and have no exams in third term. Most students apply for jobs during second/third terms but early planning is best. 2. When I attended, the first term exam results generally dictate the quality of your placement. The top students with the best marks from term one are selected for the best placements. I know some students who had placements with recognised researchers in excellent firms. Medium students are placed in decent places also, good departments in top IBs/HFs. The poorer students have less desirable placements or research roles.

QuoteOriginally posted by: babodonk1. Hansi is correct. Most students finish majority of electives in first/second terms, and have no exams in third term. Most students apply for jobs during second/third terms but early planning is best. 2. When I attended, the first term exam results generally dictate the quality of your placement. The top students with the best marks from term one are selected for the best placements. I know some students who had placements with recognised researchers in excellent firms. Medium students are placed in decent places also, good departments in top IBs/HFs. The poorer students have less desirable placements or research roles.Is it common for the banks to ask transcripts of the term one ?I never got asked when I got my first job in an IB years ago ...

not that i am aware. students were asked what they were interested in. the ordering of candidates is made internally after exam results, and 1-3 students sit interview with placement supervisors who choose best out of the students for the role. transcripts weren't shown as far as I am aware.

QuoteOriginally posted by: babodonkI know some students who had placements with recognised researchers in excellent firms. Medium students are placed in decent places also, good departments in top IBs/HFs.Would you mind sharing some names of the "excellent firms" and "decent places" ?

Having been there, I know some people could ask to start their dissertation earlier in the 3rd term, therefore being able to do the grad schemes.Be aware that no everyone is placed, it is a competition among your peers depending on your marks and how the staff think of you, as well as your interest and the availability of the placements.

Dear PauliS,As you can see in the brochure of the programme and the structure of the course, you can in principle take all the required courses in Autumn/Spring term, and be free from May onwards. April is off, and the Spring term exams take place the first week of May.Students have to write a MSc thesis / project to complete the programme. This can be done in several ways: (i) within a bank/hedge fund... over summer (or before if you passed all the courses in Autum/Spring)(ii) internally, i.e. do a project with some professor on some topic you/he may choose.Note however that some interesting courses are given in the Summer term, and it would be a pity not to attend them...To answer some of the questions below: - "Is it common for the banks to ask transcripts of the term one ?": maybe/maybe not, but in any case, we do not provide them with the transcripts as these are confidential.If you have any other questions, just pm me or send me an email.Best,