I’m entertaining the idea of moving aboard after I finish (if I finish) the CFA program. I noticed that London Business School is a “CFA Program Partner”… http://www.london.edu/programmes/mif/cfaprogrammepartners.html Do you think this would be a good complement to the charter? Would having the CFA make admission easier?
AFAIK, CFA Program Partner means that the majority of their curriculum is based on CFA curriculum. If you already a charterholder, I don’t see any value on going to LBS for their MFin program tbh.
The CFA Program Partner simply implies that the two programs cooperate; I think they share information and communicate fairly regularly, but that is all. It may just be for branding. I earned my Masters in Finance from London Business School before my CFA charter. LBS is a strong enough name to earn admission to just about any top tier firm (as implied by the FT MBA rankings), whereas the CFA is more icing on the top in certain cases. I know many CFA charterholders who would unlikely ever receive an interview at Goldman Sachs or a firm on that level. But on the other hand, the CFA designation is the gold standard for the buy side, and often mandatory for those jobs. Guess it depends what you want to do. The CFA designation would help admission, as employability is a consideration.
^I’m not implying that LBS is not worth the time, it’s in fact probably one of the best b-school for financial industry. However, I believe that the curriculum in their MFin program overlaps with CFA’s CBOK. You will get better value attending its b-school if you already have a CFA (hence, putting the CFA vs MBA debate to rest)
That’s fair. But recruiters see the MiF just as the MBA for any job in finance. In fact, more of the on-campus recruits for finance jobs come through the MiF program. Agree though on the overlap of material, just not on the depth. In the MiF, it is often 10x as difficult when it goes into rigorous detail.
waltzshreves Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The CFA Program Partner simply implies that the > two programs cooperate; I think they share > information and communicate fairly regularly, but > that is all. It may just be for branding. > > I earned my Masters in Finance from London > Business School before my CFA charter. LBS is a > strong enough name to earn admission to just about > any top tier firm (as implied by the FT MBA > rankings), whereas the CFA is more icing on the > top in certain cases. I know many CFA > charterholders who would unlikely ever receive an > interview at Goldman Sachs or a firm on that > level. But on the other hand, the CFA designation > is the gold standard for the buy side, and often > mandatory for those jobs. > > Guess it depends what you want to do. > > The CFA designation would help admission, as > employability is a consideration. waltz, when did you graduate? I have read that once shot hit the fan in 2008 the placement rate drop to like 10% of the class. Is the CFA valuable in London? How does LBS place in the states? Would having the charter help admissions in your opinion? Would love to go to a BB after graduate school but would be happy enough at a FO job on the buy-side.
that might have been the 3-mo. placement rate when no bank was hiring, and most were firing. That was life across the board. I graduated in 2005 and the future was bright, as I moved from a unimpressive firm to a BB. LBS is less branded in the states, but still considered a strong brand. As I understand, the school is seriously working on improving the brand there. I guess it would be best to simply ask around your target market what its value might be. The CFA is quite valuable in London, particularly on the buy side. If you want to make it to a BB, the best path is a top business school. The CFA will compliment any application and future job applications. Both the CFA and a top business school degree are strong assets for your long-term career and future. Best of luck!
waltz, thank you for the info!
waltz, if you don’t mind a few more questions about your alma mater. Were you a US citizen when you went to LBS for your master? If so how hard would it be for a US citizen to gain employment in the UK after graduation? And how hard would it to be to get a work visa after graduation? Would seriously hate to sink 75k w/o no recruiting.
I’m not Walt, but… whether or not you get a job, you’re entitled to a post-study Tier 1 visa after completing your masters - this entitles you to 2 years of working in the UK. Once this runs out, you either need to get sponsored by your employer or apply for a regular Tier 1 (General) visa. You need to earn above a certain threshold depending on your age to get the latter, but the income brackets aren’t insurmountable by any means.
I am a CFA charterholder and LBS MiF alum. The two bodies of knowledge complement each other (LBS does not “teach to the CFA”). There were several charterholders in the class (I was LII at the time). If you go, you will learn there is a number of ways to approach a financial issue, as opposed to the one “CFA way.” Remember, the goal of the MiF is not to just prep for a buy-side job, it can prepare for anything from PE to IB to Corporate finance. LBS is not as well known in the US, but globally, it is as recognizable as Wharton. Of any particular class (MBA or MiF), <10% of the class is from North America (there are a good number of Canadians), but Goldman, Capital Group, Fidelity all recruit there. My suggestion is that if are interested in global perspective, very rigorous class work, and global connections, it is extremely valuable. If you are interested in staying state-side only, you will be better off going to a USA MBA program. Best of luck.
Great info guys. I really do appreciate it. After level 3 i’m going to prepare for the GMAT and see if I can get 700+ to apply.
Sorry for taking so long to reply BiPolarBoyBoston. I completely concur with the last few posts. Best of luck with achieving your goals!
And I am a US national who has not worked in the US since before attending LBS.
Does the MiF give you a better chance to swith to a FO role?
Thanks waltz and paladin… got many of my doubts cleared.
Could anyone please let me know the acceptance rate for MIF program at LBS? Approx.
3%