Will I end up back in India after LSE MSc Finance?

Question

I’ll be taking a loan for the program, so I want to know what kind of jobs students usually get after LSE MSc Finance. How difficult is it for international students to land roles in London, and do many eventually return to India?

V Ritik · Accepted Answer

Many Indian students wonder if they&rsquo;ll have to return after LSE MSc Finance, especially with loans involved. The truth is that it depends a lot on the role secured in London. Graduates who land front-office IB or AM positions usually start with salaries of &pound;50,000&ndash;60,000, plus bonuses, which makes loan repayment manageable even with London&rsquo;s high living cost.
The harder part is breaking into those roles. Without internships or prior finance exposure, many end up in Big 4 advisory, risk, or corporate finance jobs. These roles still offer Graduate Route visa eligibility but may not pay enough for quick ROI. That&rsquo;s why early networking, applying to off-cycle internships, and targeting larger firms with sponsorship history is important.
Returning to India isn&rsquo;t uncommon, but those who do often use the LSE brand to move into IB, consulting, or buy-side firms in Mumbai or Delhi, where the degree still holds strong value.

Jayant M · Answer

It&rsquo;s not unusual for students to ask if they&rsquo;ll invest all this money in LSE MSc Finance only to come back to India.

A good number of grads manage to stay in London for two to four years. Banks like Barclays, JPMorgan, and buy-side firms hire LSE students into analyst tracks, and these roles usually qualify for visa sponsorship after the initial Graduate Route period.
Others do struggle to break into front-office roles. Many start with positions in Big 4 transaction advisory or risk management, which pay around &pound;35,000&ndash;45,000. These jobs are stable but make paying off a big loan slower.
Students who return to India often transition into top IB or consulting firms, where salaries in Mumbai or Bangalore can touch ₹30&ndash;35 LPA for experienced returnees.

So the outcome really depends on building relevant experience early. Those who secure internships or already have CFA/IB exposure find it easier to stay, while others choose to leverage the LSE name back home.

Mansih K · Answer

A lot depends on what you bring to the table before joining LSE. The MSc Finance opens doors to London banks, AM firms, and Big 4 deals teams, but competition is very stiff. Internships during the program are the main entry point into full-time roles, and prior finance experience makes a big difference. Without that, it&rsquo;s harder to jump straight into front-office IB or AM. Many international students do land solid roles in London, but not everyone.
The Graduate Route visa gives two years of work rights, which helps, but firms still hire selectively. Those who don&rsquo;t secure something in London often look at regional hubs like Dubai or Singapore. A fair number eventually return to India, especially if loan repayment is a priority, since IIM/ISB-style roles in consulting, PE, or corporate finance can still be accessible with the LSE brand.

S Raghav · Answer

The LSE MSc Finance program has one of the strongest placement records in Europe, but breaking into London&rsquo;s job market can be competitive for international students. Around 90% of LSE Finance graduates secure jobs within three months, with many placed in investment banking, consulting, or asset management roles.
Landing a role in London depends heavily on internship experience, networking, and visa sponsorship. Big firms like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and EY regularly recruit from LSE, but they prioritize candidates with prior UK exposure.
Some international students do return to India, often joining top firms such as McKinsey, KPMG, or private equity funds, where the LSE brand carries major weight. With a good internship and strong networking, staying in the UK is realistic &mdash; but having a backup plan in India is wise if visa timing becomes tricky.