Is Oxford MFE right for me with a BCom background, 1.5 years in fintech, and no CFA?

Question

I’m thinking of applying to the Oxford MFE but not sure if my profile fits. I have a BCom degree from a well-known private university with decent academics (first class), and about 1.5 years of full-time work experience at a fintech startup as a business analyst. During my undergrad, I did an internship in corporate banking. I haven’t done CFA and haven’t given GMAT yet, though I’m planning to attempt it in the next couple of months.
My long-term goal is to work in the global investment or fintech strategy space — either in the UK or somewhere in Southeast Asia. I’m just not sure if not having a hardcore finance degree or CFA puts me at a disadvantage for Oxford’s MFE. Would really appreciate any insights on whether this program would be a good fit for someone with my kind of background and whether it’s realistic to aim for it.

V Ritik · Accepted Answer

A lot of applicants stress over not having CFA or a finance-heavy degree,  but what Oxford&rsquo;s MFE really looks for is evidence that you can handle the rigor and know why you're there.
&bull; A first-class BCom + fintech analyst experience gives you a solid base &mdash; especially if your role involves numbers, modelling, or financial decision-making &bull; The corporate banking internship is a bonus &mdash; use it to show early exposure to core finance &bull; GMAT is key here &mdash; a strong quant score can offset lack of CFA and prove you're technically ready &bull; Essays and LORs should reflect both your interest in asset management or fintech strategy and your ability to thrive in a quant-heavy environment &bull; You&rsquo;re not an outlier &mdash; past admits have come from BCom, CA, and Econ backgrounds without CFA
It's not about ticking boxes , it's about stitching your background into a convincing, forward-looking finance career story.

B.K Sharma · Answer

Oxford MFE can be a strong fit even for BCom grads, but the application has to prove strong quantitative skills and career clarity. The program doesn&rsquo;t require a CFA or prior hardcore finance degree, but most successful candidates show finance readiness through academics, work, or test scores.
Your fintech analyst role and corporate banking internship help &mdash; they show practical exposure to financial services. What will matter now is a high GMAT score (aim 720+), and essays that clearly explain how the MFE bridges your BCom + fintech background to a global finance/strategy career.
The MFE admits a diverse pool &mdash; including applicants from commerce and business degrees &mdash; but your case needs to be well-rounded: quant coursework, strong LORs, and a sharp post-MFE plan. Without CFA, the GMAT and application narrative matter even more.
It&rsquo;s realistic, but you&rsquo;ll need to stand out in execution.