eMBA or executive MSc Finance - Dilemma

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richie313

1 2

Posted Nov 12, 2024 01:20

Hi,

I live in the NL (not native) who naturalized and now a EU citizen. I am 33 years old. I have 8 years of professional work experience (all in EU) across different functions such as Engineering, R&D, Strategy Consultancy and now Finance Manager. I already have a MSc degree from the top ranked technical university. Next year there is a high risk a lot of people might be laid off including me. I have the following goals:

1. I want to focus on an Industry and/ or location change. Preferably something in Private Equity or VC would be my first choice. (in West EU or DACH but preferably)
2. I want to be able to manage my family wealth and investments actively (which is a healthy amount and might actually justify 10 hours a week of commitment)

because of these conflicting end goal I short listed 2 schools:

1. Executive Masters in Finance at University of Amsterdam
2. eMBA at IESE Munich

The reason for my choices are as follows.

MSc Finance - low tuition fees and possibility to stay in NL while working. I like the curriculum on the surface level, and it seems manageable.
IESE eMBA - comprehensive curriculum and case study method. Surprised to see why this is not that high ranked? perhaps because German market's attitude towards MBA is disjoint?

other points based on my experiences which are maybe for and against an MBA/ MSc Fin:

1. During my job, I saw MBAs from INSEAD joining the team and quite frankly, I did not see the value add of paying so much for an MBA. I see a similar pattern where MBA graduates are perhaps arriving at the same seniority level as me? (this means I most likely am already at the salary ceiling)

2. I can already get my CV at the door of MBBs. (but I cannot make it through to the final stages as it is just highly competitive and perhaps where MBA can be a significant value add)

3. Recruiters reaching out to me from DACH for roles. (makes me think, without an MBA if I focus on upskilling my language, perhaps EU is an ocean for me in terms of job market even without an MBA?)

4. Executive Masters in Finance at University of Amsterdam - No reputation? Also, I do not think the Dutch financial market is as attractive as the UK. But I guess it provides a good base for making educated choices in terms of family wealth management?

5. IESE Munich - lower reputation in Germany but ROI can be good with tax deductions in Germany.

So in short, I am pretty much confused about the options and I am tilting more towards the Masters in Finance Path. Have I reached a ceiling in terms of value addition that an MBA can have?

[Edited by richie313 on Nov 12, 2024]

quote

StuartHE

1.200 720

Posted Nov 12, 2024 11:31

First, your goals need more precision. Private equity and VC roles have different requirements and pathways. PE typically wants deal experience and modeling skills, while VC prizes sector expertise and entrepreneurial mindset. Managing family wealth is a distinct third path requiring deep investment knowledge.

For PE/VC: Your engineering and strategy consulting background could be valuable, but you'd need strong financial modeling and deal skills. The Amsterdam MSc Finance would build technical skills but may not provide the network needed for PE/VC roles. IESE's network is stronger in Spain than DACH, but it has been a long-term option for Germans seeking a rigorous MBA (especially if they are Catholic or like Barcelona). I would tend towards an EMBA at IESE or another rigorous school (LBS, ESCP, Mannheim etc) for those roles.

For family wealth management: The MSc Finance curriculum would give you the technical foundation.

Your observations raise good points:

-- An MBA might be overkill if this is your main goal. You point out that that MBA are already at your level. However, you might be confusing outcomes from full-time MBAs, where people tend to go into associate roles, and Executive MBAs, which lead experienced hires into much higher salaries.

-- Being at INSEAD grad salary levels suggests limited pure salary ROI from an MBA. However, it's a highly effective path since INSEAD alumni are getting into the organizations you are interested in, and obtain salaries among the highest available post-MBA

-- MBB access shows your profile is strong

-- DACH recruiter interest indicates market mobility without MBA

My advice:

1. If PE/VC is your priority: Consider more specialized PE/VC programs or target schools with strong placement in these sectors. Neither current option is probably optimal, but IESE will be better than UvA.

2. If wealth management is primary: The MSc Finance makes more sense -- lower cost, focused curriculum, manageable alongside work.

3. If career insurance against layoffs is key: Build technical finance skills through MSc while networking extensively.

Your ceiling isn't about MBAs adding value -- it's about alignment between programs and goals. Given your current position, IESE Munich's EMBA might struggle to justify ROI if it doesn't fit your goal. However, I didn't get your point about limited recognition for IESE: this is consistently one of the top ten EMBAs worldwide https://rankings.ft.com/schools/130/iese-business-school/rankings/2950/emba-2023/ranking-data , with a rigorous quantitative focus (IESE was established through a cooperation with Harvard Business School, and there is no European business school with an approach closer to Harvard's). The Munich campus is too new to be ranked (if it is a stand-alone school), but the general approach of the rankers, like the FT, is to pool the different locations together.

The Amsterdam MSc Finance could be a practical choice if you:

-- Focus primarily on wealth management

-- Keep current employment

-- Use it as a foundation for PE/VC through additional networking and modeling courses

The key is getting clarity on which goal matters most. Right now your options don't fully align with either path.

[Edited by StuartHE on Nov 12, 2024]

First, your goals need more precision. Private equity and VC roles have different requirements and pathways. PE typically wants deal experience and modeling skills, while VC prizes sector expertise and entrepreneurial mindset. Managing family wealth is a distinct third path requiring deep investment knowledge. 
 
For PE/VC: Your engineering and strategy consulting background could be valuable, but you'd need strong financial modeling and deal skills. The Amsterdam MSc Finance would build technical skills but may not provide the network needed for PE/VC roles. IESE's network is stronger in Spain than DACH, but it has been a long-term option for Germans seeking a rigorous MBA (especially if they are Catholic or like Barcelona). I would tend towards an EMBA at IESE or another rigorous school (LBS, ESCP, Mannheim etc) for those roles. 
 
For family wealth management: The MSc Finance curriculum would give you the technical foundation. 
 
Your observations raise good points: 
-- An MBA might be overkill if this is your main goal. You point out that that MBA are already at your level. However, you might be confusing outcomes from full-time MBAs, where people tend to go into associate roles, and Executive MBAs, which lead experienced hires into much higher salaries. 
-- Being at INSEAD grad salary levels suggests limited pure salary ROI from an MBA. However, it's a highly effective path since INSEAD alumni are getting into the organizations you are interested in, and obtain salaries among the highest available post-MBA 
-- MBB access shows your profile is strong 
-- DACH recruiter interest indicates market mobility without MBA 
 
My advice: 
1. If PE/VC is your priority: Consider more specialized PE/VC programs or target schools with strong placement in these sectors. Neither current option is probably optimal, but IESE will be better than UvA. 
2. If wealth management is primary: The MSc Finance makes more sense -- lower cost, focused curriculum, manageable alongside work. 
3. If career insurance against layoffs is key: Build technical finance skills through MSc while networking extensively. 
 
Your ceiling isn't about MBAs adding value -- it's about alignment between programs and goals. Given your current position, IESE Munich's EMBA might struggle to justify ROI if it doesn't fit your goal. However, I didn't get your point about limited recognition for IESE: this is consistently one of the top ten EMBAs worldwide https://rankings.ft.com/schools/130/iese-business-school/rankings/2950/emba-2023/ranking-data , with a rigorous quantitative focus (IESE was established through a cooperation with Harvard Business School, and there is no European business school with an approach closer to Harvard's). The Munich campus is too new to be ranked (if it is a stand-alone school), but the general approach of the rankers, like the FT, is to pool the different locations together. 
 
The Amsterdam MSc Finance could be a practical choice if you: 
-- Focus primarily on wealth management 
-- Keep current employment 
-- Use it as a foundation for PE/VC through additional networking and modeling courses 
 
The key is getting clarity on which goal matters most. Right now your options don't fully align with either path.

quote

richie313

1 2

Posted Nov 12, 2024 13:12

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for the response. You did help me clarify certain things. To be a bit more tangible on my goals, I would prefer Family wealth management over other goals as I feel I can crack the networking part while pursuing UVA exec MIF Part time. The PE/ VC options come up just as something I enjoy (have had short experience). In terms of goals, I just want to be able to find someplace to work where I can enjoy the role.

Unfortunately, neither IESE nor UVA will help me against prospective layoffs as this is going to be a global level restructuring. but I would prefer severance payment over staying in the current org as the net impact for me over the year would be more positive than being employed by reapplying for positions again within my organization.

Out of 3 priorities, 2 of them lead me to UVA exec MIF just due to proximity given the uncertainty I am in. if I had certainty of being employed, I would have preferred IESE.

Do you know if the UVA MSc would carry weight if I decide to look for things in DACH region? I see that the UVA program is also a CFA partner institute.

quote

StuartHE

1.200 720

Posted Nov 12, 2024 14:44

The UvA Executive MSc in Finance matches this priority mix better than IESE. The CFA partnership adds credibility, and the technical finance focus serves wealth management well. Being part-time in Amsterdam reduces risk during corporate restructuring.
But I'd caution about DACH recognition. Dutch qualifications carry less weight in German-speaking markets than local ones. If DACH is a serious target, consider:
-- German language skills matter more than program brand for most finance roles
-- Local networks beat international brands for family office/wealth management
-- Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Goethe Business School, WHU, or ESMT might serve better for DACH markets

The UvA program can work if you:
-- Build German language skills alongside studies
-- Network actively in DACH during the program
-- Use CFA progress to boost credibility
-- Target international firms with Dutch offices as a bridge

A practical next step: Research UvA alumni working in DACH through LinkedIn. Their career paths will show if this bridge exists.

Your point about severance timing is pragmatic. The UvA program's proximity lets you maximize severance value while minimizing career gaps.