Best finance masters for financial analyst roles?

pog it

Have asked on here before about the MSc in Financial Services in UL and the Capital Markets masters in DCU, both of which I know are excellent courses but I've also heard that the Smurfit Business School in UCD has the best reputation of the lot, or at least is perceived to be the best in the industry. Is this really the case?

I come from a non-finance background (arts) and it seems to me that Smurfit are interested only in candidates with a business/maths/engineering background. The others, UL and DCU at least, seem to be more willing to consider other subject degrees and will also take into account your academic record, interest in the area, etc.

But from the point of view of financial analysis in equities can I ask if there is any stand out masters I can do? Also, since ixus mentioned it in the other thread, is the MSc in Computational Finance useful for analyst roles?
I will be doing the CFA as well and had I had a relevant degree I would be doing just the CFAs and not both the masters and the CFA. I have to get the masters to earn some credentials.

What masters would you recommend for someone in my situation?
Also, in terms of the jobs market out there, I know I will prob have to move abroad which isn't a problem for me, but how testy are things out there now in terms of job prospects?

Appreciate any help!

Gandalph

Smurfit's finance is ranked way ahead of any of the others in Ireland according to the FT collegiate course ranking system. I have currently applied myself to them and DCU and might throw in an application to trinity later on.

A college called Cass in London seems to offer a good finance masters for a decent price also.

pog it

Which of the Smurfit Finance masters are you applying to Gandalph?

I'm applying to a few as well and will take whichever is the best of those that give me an offer. At a major disadvantage with no maths/engineering/comp sci background but I think it's still achievable.

An option is to do the graduate diploma in maths from the likes of LSE and then apply for the quant finance masters in Smurfit.

What's your own background and have you an idea of what position you want to get by the end of the masters?
Also, is there any reason why you're not applying to UL or is it just a question of location?

TransportCons

Gandalph wrote: »

Smurfit's finance is ranked way ahead of any of the others in Ireland according to the FT collegiate course ranking system. I have currently applied myself to them and DCU and might throw in an application to trinity later on.

A college called Cass in London seems to offer a good finance masters for a decent price also.

Is trinity up there with smurfit??

Eriadus

Look at the LSE course, I think you can even do it part time or by correspondence but not sure. In any case that is the gold standard of Masters in Finance and I knew a few people who did it when I used to work in the City (of London). If you want to work abroad and work in the big leagues then in Ireland only look at Trinity or Smurfit in that order.

Mr_Roger_Bongos

Having worked in the City, if you could afford a London masters (with the extra cost associated through rent/living costs) i'd reccommend that if your heart's set on Financial Analyst.

You'll get much more exposure to hiring firms and Alumni in the likes of LSE.