MSc Finance – Imperial vs LSE vs HEC Paris: Which one is better for landing IB or PE roles in London?

I’m deciding between Imperial College MSc Finance, LSE MSc Finance, and HEC Paris Master in International Finance. My end goal is to break into investment banking, asset management, or private equity in London. From what I’ve seen, all three programs are well-ranked — but I’m looking for clarity on which one really offers the best career prospects in terms of placement rates, alumni support, and how banks in London view each school.
Would love to hear from anyone who’s been through these programs or knows how they’re perceived by recruiters in the UK finance industry.

Asked by Kritika Oberoi 10 months ago

S Raghav

Seo Executive

Getting into PE in London without a target school is already hard , and that’s where the real gap shows.

• LSE has the deepest alumni presence in UK finance. It’s seen as the default “target” for most London offices, including top PE funds.
• HEC punches above its location — London banks treat it as a core target, but early networking is key since full-time roles are competitive.
• Imperial’s MSc Finance has grown fast, but it’s still not a top-tier brand for IB or PE in London. More grads end up in middle/back office or risk roles.
• Placement rates are highest at LSE, not just because of name but because of volume — more events, more employer ties, more visibility.
• HEC’s edge is its flexibility — the Jan intake lets students prep for summer internships in sync with London timelines.

If the endgame is London PE or IB, LSE’s positioning gives the clearest head start.

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