Imperial MSc Finance vs LBS MFA: which gives better placements in IB, PE, or VC?Are Imperial’s 95% employment stats realistic?

Question

T Mehta · Accepted Answer

Imperial MSc Finance placements are generally stronger for investment banking than LBS MFA, especially at the analyst level. Imperial&rsquo;s career reports show most grads landing in IB, asset management, or consulting, with IB analyst salaries starting around &pound;60,000&ndash;&pound;65,000 base plus bonuses. Private equity or venture capital roles are harder to get directly, but Imperial alumni frequently enter IB first and then move into PE.
The 95% employment stat is realistic but worth reading carefully. It includes students employed across finance and consulting within three months, not just IB/PE/VC. For IB, the figure is closer to 70&ndash;75%.
LBS MFA has strong networking and brand recognition, but it&rsquo;s still a newer program compared to Imperial. For someone focused purely on IB in London, Imperial has the more established placement pipeline, while LBS MFA gives flexibility with broader career options and a younger student base.

Karan P · Answer

The two programs look similar on paper, but the outcomes play out differently once you dig deeper.
&bull; Imperial MSc Finance is more specialized, and most graduates head into IB or markets. The technical nature of the course makes it easier to crack assessment centres. &bull; LBS MFA is designed for younger candidates (average age 21&ndash;22) and works well for those who want early exposure to consulting, strategy, or finance &mdash; but IB placements are fewer compared to Imperial. &bull; In terms of PE or VC, neither program guarantees direct entry. Imperial&rsquo;s route is usually IB &rarr; PE, while LBS grads often test the waters through VC internships because of the school&rsquo;s entrepreneurship focus. &bull; The &ldquo;95% employed&rdquo; number Imperial publishes is correct, but it covers all finance jobs, not just front-office IB. The actual IB/markets share is lower, though still one of the highest in the UK. &bull; LBS offers an edge in long-term brand and alumni reach, while Imperial delivers stronger short-term IB outcomes.
For someone laser-focused on IB and then PE, Imperial comes out stronger. For VC or a broader set of options, LBS MFA has more flexibility.
For more details you can read this blog on "Imperial MFin"

V Ritik · Answer

When it comes to placements in investment banking, private equity, or venture capital, the LBS MFA generally provides stronger outcomes than the Imperial MSc Finance, mainly due to its location, network, and brand perception among London recruiters. LBS has direct ties with top firms like J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Bain Capital, and its smaller class size allows for closer alumni access and personalized career support.
Imperial, on the other hand, does have impressive employment stats &mdash; around 95% employment within three months &mdash; but those numbers include a mix of consulting, finance, and data roles, not just IB or PE. The school has solid links with mid-tier investment banks and fintechs but less presence in elite buy-side firms.
If the goal is pure front-office finance, the LBS MFA offers better brand strength and recruiting visibility. Imperial&rsquo;s program is still excellent but more versatile than specialized.

Mohit C · Answer

When it comes to placements in IB, PE, or VC, both Imperial MSc Finance and LBS MFA offer strong prospects, but they serve slightly different career paths. LBS has a highly established reputation in the finance world, especially for roles in IB and PE, thanks to its strong connections with London&rsquo;s top banks and firms. The MFA program at LBS is very well-regarded, and its alumni network is vast, particularly in London-based finance roles. If you&rsquo;re targeting roles in investment banking or private equity, LBS might have a slight edge due to its direct ties to the London finance industry and its robust career services.
Imperial&rsquo;s 95% employment rate is impressive, but it can be more challenging to assess without more specific data. Imperial&rsquo;s program focuses on strong technical finance skills, and the school&rsquo;s global reputation has solid connections, especially for those looking to enter VC or tech finance. The job placement rates are realistic, but breaking into PE or IB could require extra networking in comparison to LBS.

S Raghav · Answer

Imperial MSc Finance and LBS MFA are both great options for breaking into IB, PE, or VC, but there are key differences in their focus:
LBS MFA: It has a direct pipeline into top investment banks and private equity firms in London, with a robust career services team that&rsquo;s deeply embedded in the financial sector. LBS&rsquo;s alumni network is strong in IB and PE, making it a top choice if those are your primary targets. The MFA provides strong connections and excellent job placement rates, with firms like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and others actively recruiting.
Imperial MSc Finance: While Imperial has solid employment stats and impressive placement rates (95%), its strength lies more in finance and VC roles, especially for those interested in the intersection of finance and technology. The program&rsquo;s technical focus helps students in roles like data-driven finance, fintech, and VC, but for traditional IB and PE, the path can be slightly more competitive compared to LBS.
In short, if you&rsquo;re primarily focused on IB and PE, LBS MFA could offer a stronger network and more direct recruitment opportunities. For VC or tech-oriented finance roles, Imperial MSc Finance offers great prospects, but networking may play a larger role.