The Best Finance MBA Programs in London

The economy of London is dominated by the financial services industry. In fact, the city is the largest financial exporter in the world and is home to exchanges, banks, brokers, pension funds, reinsurance markets and more. It’s also a notable center of international finance and home to the second oldest central bank in the world: the Bank of England. Other major financial institutions in London include the London Stock Exchange, the London Bullion Market and HSBC.

So, it’s no wonder that London is a top destination for MBAs looking to enter the financial industry. But where should MBAs head to school for their best chance at success post graduation? We’ve outlined our top five Finance MBA programs in London to give you a head start on the process.

Saïd Business School University of Oxford

At the Saïd Business School, between 2014-15, 29 percent of MBA graduates went into a career in financial services, representing the largest percentage of students in a particular industry. Those same students also made the most money, earning up to £100,000 across six continents. Some of the top employers for finance included American Express, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank and Ernst & Young.

To facilitate a career, Saïd places a significant emphasis on finance. In fact, during the first term, students take business finance and accounting. They also have a variety of finance electives to choose from, including asset management, cases in finance and investments and entrepreneurial finance.

Outside of the classroom, MBAs at Saïd can also participate in the Oxford Saïd Finance Lab. The Lab is a joint venture between the Private Equity Institute and finance faculty at the school. It is a tailored financial graduate training program, which is highly respected by financial services recruiters. The Lab takes place over two terms and introduces students to key concepts, instruments and models for finance.

Judge Business School University of Cambridge

In 2016, 32 percent of MBA graduates from the Judge Business School went on to work in the financial sector—the largest employment sector for MBAs. Those same MBAs earned an average of £82,427 (roughly $100,820 USD) for their post-MBA finance package. And surprisingly enough, 50 percent of those graduates moved into the finance industry from another employment sector. So, how did Judge prepare its MBAs for a career in finance?

MBAs at Judge can personalize their curriculum toward the finance industry. A concentration in finance focuses on new trends in the industry discussed by some of the best leaders in the industry. The concentration includes networking events, guest speakers and many related finance courses. A few of the courses include corporate finance, cost management and a concentration capstone project in the finance industry.

Cranfield School of Management

At Cranfield, the finance sector is one of their biggest MBA employers. The program has connections with such companies as Bloomberg, Lloyds Banking Group, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, Citigroup and PWC. The Financial Times recognized Cranfield as the 25th best school in the world to earn a master in finance.

As for how students are prepared for a career in the field, Cranfield focuses on finance throughout its core module courses and its electives. Every student takes accounting and financial management and can add on courses in investment and risk management, corporate finance transactions and corporate financial strategy. Plus, students participate in the Venture Capital Investment Competition, which helps students conduct due diligence and negotiate investment deals for new ventures.

London Business School

In 2015, 29 percent of the MBA class at the London Business School came from a professional background in finance. Post-MBA, 27 percent of the class went into the finance industry earning a job in investment banking, private equity & venture capital, diversified financial services and investment management. Some of the top employers included McKinsey & Company, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup.

As for preparing for a career in finance, the London Business School offers students more than 70 electives with finance being a key component. MBAs also have the opportunity to gain experience by participating in the Finance Club, which is one of the largest professional clubs on campus. The Club offers a variety of industry-focused events including career fairs, speaking events and more.

Cass Business School City University London

At the Cass Business School, a career in Financial Services is the top choice, garnering 26 percent of graduates. Those same graduates went on to work at such prestigious companies as PWC, Amazon and Unilever.

At Cass Business School, MBAs can tailor their program within the finance industry. The finance elective module includes eight courses covering everything from forecasting to global real estate markets and private equity. On top of the finance electives, students also participate in the Business Mastery Project, which provides hands-on-experience for real-world business problems. MBAs can choose to focus their project on a wide range of industries including banking, finance and stock exchanges.

Beyond the classroom, Cass MBAs can participate in both the Cass Finance Society and the Cass Banking Society. Both societies hold a variety of events to help students network, participate in seminars, workshops and social activities

regions: London

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