UCL MSc Finance vs Imperial MFin (Finance & Accounting): which one offers better ROI and placements if my goal is to work in investment banking in London after graduation?

Question

Jayant M · Accepted Answer

For investment banking careers in London, Imperial MFin generally offers stronger ROI and placements than UCL MSc Finance. Imperial has direct recruiting links with bulge-bracket and boutique banks, and their careers team actively coaches students for assessment centers and technical interviews. Placement reports show many graduates entering IB, corporate finance, and PE roles within six months.
The smaller class size at Imperial means more focused career support and less internal competition for the same recruiters. ROI is solid despite the higher tuition because starting salaries in London IB average &pound;55,000&ndash;&pound;65,000, with bonuses pushing it higher.
UCL is improving its presence, but IB hires lean more towards Imperial and LSE. UCL does well for asset management and corporate roles, but for pure investment banking, Imperial has the edge in employer connections and targeted training.

Hema A · Answer

It often comes down to brand perception among London recruiters, and that&rsquo;s where the differences show.
&bull; Imperial MFin is considered more technical and is often preferred for IB hiring because the program is designed with applied finance and accounting skills. &bull; UCL MSc Finance has the stronger &ldquo;University of London&rdquo; name globally, but in IB circles within the UK, it doesn&rsquo;t carry the same weight as Imperial or LSE. &bull; Imperial&rsquo;s alumni presence in London banks is larger, which helps with networking for off-cycle and spring internships. Around 70&ndash;75% of Imperial MFin graduates secure roles in London, compared to lower placement visibility from UCL. &bull; ROI tilts in Imperial&rsquo;s favor because grads secure IB roles faster, while UCL students may need to explore a wider range of finance jobs before landing IB. &bull; One area UCL scores better is flexibility &mdash; the program lets students explore electives outside pure finance, which can help if IB doesn&rsquo;t work out.
For someone laser-focused on M&A or capital markets in London, Imperial tends to deliver more consistent outcomes.
For more details you can read these blogs on "Imperial MFin" and "UCL MFin"