Is the Cambridge MFin a good option for someone with 1–2 years of experience?

Question

I’m 24 and currently working at a mid-size financial advisory firm in India. By the time I apply, I’ll have around 1.5 years of full-time experience, mostly in corporate finance. I’m planning to apply for Fall 2025 intake.
Cambridge sounds like a big name, but I’m not sure if they expect applicants with more experience. Most top MFin programs abroad either ask for fresh grads or people with 3–5 years of work ex, so I feel kind of stuck in the middle.
Would someone with my profile still be a good fit? Also wondering if getting good placements is harder if you don’t come from a top college in India or don’t have strong connections.

T Mehta · Accepted Answer

Cambridge MFin sounds great on paper &mdash; but at 1.5 years of experience, it may not work the way you&rsquo;re hoping it will.
Here&rsquo;s what actually matters: &bull; Most of the class has 3&ndash;7 years of experience, often from well-known firms or global institutions. &bull; With less experience, you may feel out of place in group projects or case-based discussions that assume deal exposure. &bull; Recruiters targeting Cambridge MFin grads often look for VP-track or specialist profiles &mdash; not early-stage analysts. &bull; Coming from a non-IIT/IIM background won&rsquo;t disqualify you, but you&rsquo;d need to show something standout &mdash; strong quant skills, CFA Level 1, or a unique project at your current firm. &bull; The brand name helps, but placement support leans more toward experienced professionals than early-career candidates looking for a big break.
If your long-term goal is IB or PE in the UK, you might get better ROI from programs built for your experience level ,  like LBS MiF or ESSEC.

B.K Sharma · Answer

The Cambridge MFin is not the best fit for candidates with only 1&ndash;2 years of experience &mdash; it&rsquo;s designed more for professionals already a few years into their finance careers.
The official minimum is 2 years, but most accepted students have 3 to 7 years of full-time experience, often in investment banking, policy, asset management, or central banking. With 1.5 years, you&rsquo;d technically be eligible by the time you apply, but the peer group and coursework assume you&rsquo;ve handled complex finance projects already.
Also, in terms of placements, Cambridge recruiters are usually looking for people ready for mid- to senior-level roles, not fresh postgrads. Coming from a mid-size firm and without brand-name college backing might make it harder to stand out, unless you bring something unique &mdash; like CFA progress, niche industry exposure, or strong recommendations.
You might want to consider LBS MiF or Bocconi if you're still building early experience.