Can someone with 2 years of IT consulting experience and no finance background get into NUS MFin?

Question

I’ve worked in IT consulting for 2 years after my B.Com (7.5/10 GPA). No CFA, but I’m preparing for GMAT Focus and hoping to score 620+. I want to pivot into finance through NUS MFin. Will my lack of direct finance experience be a major drawback, or does NUS accept applicants from non-finance backgrounds too?

Hema A · Accepted Answer

Yes, applicants with non-finance backgrounds like IT consulting can get into NUS MFin, provided they show strong quantitative skills and clear motivation for finance. The program attracts candidates from engineering, economics, and even commerce backgrounds, so coming from B.Com plus consulting isn&rsquo;t unusual. A GMAT Focus score around 620+ would place you within the competitive band.
The key is to prove interest in finance outside your degree. Without CFA, you could highlight any coursework, projects, or certifications like Financial Modeling or Excel-based analysis. Admissions looks for evidence that you can handle technical finance content and have a realistic post-MFin career plan. Your consulting experience can also be framed as problem-solving and client-facing skills, which are valuable in corporate finance or asset management. Lack of prior finance isn&rsquo;t a deal-breaker, but bridging it with test scores or short certifications will strengthen your case.

V Ritik · Answer

A lot of applicants without direct finance experience wonder if they stand a chance at NUS MFin, and the truth is that it depends on how the story is built.

The program doesn&rsquo;t demand prior finance jobs, but it does expect proof you can manage a finance-heavy curriculum. Your B.Com background helps since you&rsquo;ve had exposure to accounting and business concepts.
A GMAT Focus score of 620+ shows quantitative ability, but pushing it toward 640 makes you more convincing without CFA.
Admissions committees usually like to see candidates who took steps to prepare. Short-term actions like enrolling in financial modeling courses or doing a small research project in markets can balance the lack of CFA.
IT consulting experience can be a plus if you connect it to fintech, data analysis, or problem-solving skills that banks and asset managers value.

So while no finance background is a challenge, many students in NUS MFin come from non-finance fields &mdash; the key is showing readiness and direction.
For more details you can read this blog on "NUS MFIN"

Shruti T · Answer

NUS MFin doesn&rsquo;t strictly require a finance background, so applicants from IT or other fields do get in. What matters is how you connect your past work with your future goals in finance. A B.Com with a 7.5/10 GPA is solid, and two years of IT consulting shows problem-solving and analytical skills. Those can be positioned as transferable strengths for areas like fintech, risk management, or data-driven finance.
A GMAT Focus score of 620+ would keep you in range, but aiming higher strengthens your case. Since you don&rsquo;t have CFA or direct finance work, add credibility with certifications like Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) Investment Banking program, NSE Financial Modeling, or Bloomberg Market Concepts. These are directly relevant and recognized. Strong essays linking your consulting background to specific finance goals at NUS will matter most. The lack of finance experience won&rsquo;t block you if the narrative feels intentional and well-prepared.

D. Aarav · Answer

Many students at NUS MFin actually come from non-finance fields, so the lack of direct experience won&rsquo;t automatically rule you out. What makes the difference is how you frame your profile.
&bull; Link IT consulting to finance &mdash; emphasize skills like data modeling, client problem solving, or projects where you worked with financial services clients. &bull; Show active steps into finance. Courses like Financial Modeling & Valuation (Wall Street Prep) or CFA Level 1 prep signal commitment. &bull; For recommendations, ask someone who has seen your analytical side. For example, a manager who can describe how you built automation that reduced reporting time by 30% would show quantitative ability plus business impact. &bull; A 620+ GMAT Focus is workable, but a 650+ makes your case much stronger without a finance background.
NUS values diversity of experience, so clear career goals backed by proof of effort make admission realistic.