Westminster, Brunel, or Kingston?

Andrew Lin

5 9

Posted Mar 28, 2020 22:25

I know these aren't elite schools, but those are my options. I want to get a role in banking (happy with back office) or consulting at someplace like EY or PwC.

I don't know much about schools in the U.K, I'm from Taiwan. Any advice would help.

I do have to say, Westminster has been extremely quick on replying to me and keeping in touch. Something that is nice for a school.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 28, 2020 23:28

I don't understand why these are the only options. Why not spend your money on a MiF at a better school?

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Andrew Lin

5 9

Posted Mar 29, 2020 00:04

I don't understand why these are the only options. Why not spend your money on a MiF at a better school?

Because I wasn't able to get in. I'm still waiting for King's

[Edited by Andrew Lin on Mar 29, 2020]

[quote]I don't understand why these are the only options. Why not spend your money on a MiF at a better school? [/quote]

Because I wasn't able to get in. I'm still waiting for King's

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 29, 2020 00:50

Why did the better schools decline your application? Did you apply to any FT-ranked MIF programmes?

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Andrew Lin

5 9

Posted Mar 29, 2020 00:58

Why did the better schools decline your application? Did you apply to any FT-ranked MIF programmes?

I think Brunel is ranked, but low ranked at 91 in 2018.

I'm not sure. I'm 27, and I left my first time at university in the US at 21 due to a car accident. I returned home to Taiwan since I needed help from family to rehab. One thing led to another, my mom got cancer, I got called to do 14 months of military conscription, worked a bit. I decided to finish school last year and transferred. I have finished 15 courses and maintained a 4.0 GPA out of 4.0 at my current uni. I didn't do so well in my first time in Uni, only a 2.9GPA. But life and the military strighten me out.

Maybe it's due to my age, a career in a non finance field, mediocre first time in uni. I'm not sure. I speak English and Chinese fluently, speak conversational Italian and some Korean. I would think I would be somewhat competitive, but maybe not.

[Edited by Andrew Lin on Mar 29, 2020]

[quote]Why did the better schools decline your application? Did you apply to any FT-ranked MIF programmes? [/quote]

I think Brunel is ranked, but low ranked at 91 in 2018.

I'm not sure. I'm 27, and I left my first time at university in the US at 21 due to a car accident. I returned home to Taiwan since I needed help from family to rehab. One thing led to another, my mom got cancer, I got called to do 14 months of military conscription, worked a bit. I decided to finish school last year and transferred. I have finished 15 courses and maintained a 4.0 GPA out of 4.0 at my current uni. I didn't do so well in my first time in Uni, only a 2.9GPA. But life and the military strighten me out.

Maybe it's due to my age, a career in a non finance field, mediocre first time in uni. I'm not sure. I speak English and Chinese fluently, speak conversational Italian and some Korean. I would think I would be somewhat competitive, but maybe not.

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Duncan

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Posted Mar 29, 2020 01:22

How about Liverpool, Leeds or Aston? See http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2018

If you have a good GMAT score and your added life experience as an asset, I think this could be a good option. Indeed, maybe Henley or Exeter could be good options since I think many applicants from the far East might be reconsidering MiF applications at the moment.

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Andrew Lin

5 9

Posted Mar 29, 2020 01:50

How about Liverpool, Leeds or Aston? See http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2018

If you have a good GMAT score and your added life experience as an asset, I think this could be a good option. Indeed, maybe Henley or Exeter could be good options since I think many applicants from the far East might be reconsidering MiF applications at the moment.

I can make an application, but I was set on London for networking opportunities to be honest. It just made sense if I'm going to move to the U.K for this, I'd go to London where the action is.

Is Brunel, Kingston, or Westminster really not even worth consideration? I thought they were at least decent schools.

[quote]How about Liverpool, Leeds or Aston? See http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2018

If you have a good GMAT score and your added life experience as an asset, I think this could be a good option. Indeed, maybe Henley or Exeter could be good options since I think many applicants from the far East might be reconsidering MiF applications at the moment. [/quote]

I can make an application, but I was set on London for networking opportunities to be honest. It just made sense if I'm going to move to the U.K for this, I'd go to London where the action is.

Is Brunel, Kingston, or Westminster really not even worth consideration? I thought they were at least decent schools.

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Duncan

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Posted Mar 29, 2020 09:30

There is a huge difference between the outcomes at different universities. Aim for the best business school you can unless you intend to return to Taiwan. Why go to an average business school when you know that almost all the good employers hire in an organised way from the FT-ranked schools?

England is tiny. The action isn't mostly in London. Liverpool to London is like Kaohsiung City to Taipei.... Most business activities are near or between them. Financial services back office roles are not mostly in London: they are in Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Cambridge, Brighton, Edinburgh, Belfast... The back office moved out of London in the 20th century.

That is why the FT ranked schools are roughly where the demand is, rather than being only in London. London isn't where all the jobs are... It's where the most aspirational and competitive students are. Schools like Leeds, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Strathclyde report over 90% employment within 3 months for MiF students. Cass and Henley, which serve London, are under 80%.

So, focus on the outcomes from the business school rather than location.

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Andrew Lin

5 9

Posted Mar 29, 2020 19:48

There is a huge difference between the outcomes at different universities. Aim for the best business school you can unless you intend to return to Taiwan. Why go to an average business school when you know that almost all the good employers hire in an organised way from the FT-ranked schools?

England is tiny. The action isn't mostly in London. Liverpool to London is like Kaohsiung City to Taipei.... Most business activities are near or between them. Financial services back office roles are not mostly in London: they are in Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Cambridge, Brighton, Edinburgh, Belfast... The back office moved out of London in the 20th century.

That is why the FT ranked schools are roughly where the demand is, rather than being only in London. London isn't where all the jobs are... It's where the most aspirational and competitive students are. Schools like Leeds, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Strathclyde report over 90% employment within 3 months for MiF students. Cass and Henley, which serve London, are under 80%.

So, focus on the outcomes from the business school rather than location.

Thank you so much for your insight.

Ok, I understand. I have applied to Henley and will finish more applications for the schools you've mentioned.

However, if It was down to Brunel, Westminster, and Kingston, which one is better in the U.K. I don't know much about their reputation and standing.

[Edited by Andrew Lin on Mar 29, 2020]

[quote]There is a huge difference between the outcomes at different universities. Aim for the best business school you can unless you intend to return to Taiwan. Why go to an average business school when you know that almost all the good employers hire in an organised way from the FT-ranked schools?

England is tiny. The action isn't mostly in London. Liverpool to London is like Kaohsiung City to Taipei.... Most business activities are near or between them. Financial services back office roles are not mostly in London: they are in Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Cambridge, Brighton, Edinburgh, Belfast... The back office moved out of London in the 20th century.

That is why the FT ranked schools are roughly where the demand is, rather than being only in London. London isn't where all the jobs are... It's where the most aspirational and competitive students are. Schools like Leeds, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Strathclyde report over 90% employment within 3 months for MiF students. Cass and Henley, which serve London, are under 80%.

So, focus on the outcomes from the business school rather than location. [/quote]

Thank you so much for your insight.

Ok, I understand. I have applied to Henley and will finish more applications for the schools you've mentioned.

However, if It was down to Brunel, Westminster, and Kingston, which one is better in the U.K. I don't know much about their reputation and standing.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 29, 2020 21:11

I would guess Brunel > Kingston > Westminster but they are very close and, more importantly, not very likely to lead you to your goal.

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Andrew Lin

5 9

Posted Mar 30, 2020 04:29

I would guess Brunel > Kingston > Westminster but they are very close and, more importantly, not very likely to lead you to your goal.

I see. Brunel said they were ranked on FT on their site, but it seems only for 2017 and 2018. Did not make the list for 2019 unfortunately.

[quote]I would guess Brunel > Kingston > Westminster but they are very close and, more importantly, not very likely to lead you to your goal. [/quote]

I see. Brunel said they were ranked on FT on their site, but it seems only for 2017 and 2018. Did not make the list for 2019 unfortunately.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 30, 2020 11:47

They were not on the MBA or MiF ranking in either year http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2017 http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-ranking-2017

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Mar 30, 2020 11:49

They were on the MiM ranking, but with your goals a MiF will be much better than an MiM. http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/brunel-university/masters-in-management-2018

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George Kal...

1 1

Posted Apr 04, 2020 03:14

Since Westminster is ranked higher compared to Brunel and Kingston on FT 2020 list why you put it third on your preference? Has it to do with the fact that the former dean of west's malcolm kirkup is out?

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Duncan

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Posted Apr 04, 2020 11:19

No, it's because Westminster is *not* ranked higher on the FT 2020 ranking: http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-ranking-2020

The important thing about my guess at an order of preference is that none of these schools will lead this person to their goal. So, the comparison is a little like asking which horse should I bet $10 on to win $1m. They should apply for MiFs at very good schools, in the FT MiF ranking, rather than MBAs at unimpressive schools.

PS In the most respected undergraduate ranking for business, Brunel is ranked just below Bradford, in the middle of the ranking, with Westminster notably lower and Kingston most of the way towards the bottom. https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings/business-and-management-studies

[Edited by Duncan on Apr 04, 2020]

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Andrew Lin

5 9

Posted Apr 06, 2020 19:56

How about Liverpool, Leeds or Aston? See http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2018

If you have a good GMAT score and your added life experience as an asset, I think this could be a good option. Indeed, maybe Henley or Exeter could be good options since I think many applicants from the far East might be reconsidering MiF applications at the moment.

I got an offer from Henley, I will accept. I really fell in love with their program and it's close enough to London. The program ranks really well as well. 8th in the UK for MSc Finance. They are also great at replying to me and communication.

[quote]How about Liverpool, Leeds or Aston? See http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/masters-in-finance-pre-experience-2018

If you have a good GMAT score and your added life experience as an asset, I think this could be a good option. Indeed, maybe Henley or Exeter could be good options since I think many applicants from the far East might be reconsidering MiF applications at the moment. [/quote]

I got an offer from Henley, I will accept. I really fell in love with their program and it's close enough to London. The program ranks really well as well. 8th in the UK for MSc Finance. They are also great at replying to me and communication.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Apr 06, 2020 21:39

It's such a beautiful campus :)

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Andrew Lin

5 9

Posted May 07, 2020 23:49

It's such a beautiful campus :)

Hello Duncan,
I also got accepted to King's college. I know King's is a more prestigious school and well known around the world. But their finance program isn't ranked. And also 12k more in tuition than Henley Business School. Is there a reason why King's is not ranked and should I consider switching?
I kind of have my heart set on Henley, the school responded very quickly to me and even gave me a school 2k scholarship. But of course, I want to put myself in the best position to succeed. Henley Business's ICMA centre seems to be a really good program for finance. But of course, I'm not from the UK so I'm not clear on the reputation of the programs. Do you have any insight?
Thanks so much for your help!

[quote]It's such a beautiful campus :) [/quote]<div><br></div><div>Hello Duncan, </div><div><br></div><div>I also got accepted to King's college. I know King's is a more prestigious school and well known around the world. But their finance program isn't ranked. And also 12k more in tuition than Henley Business School. Is there a reason why King's is not ranked and should I consider switching?</div><div><br></div><div>I kind of have my heart set on Henley, the school responded very quickly to me and even gave me a school 2k scholarship. But of course, I want to put myself in the best position to succeed. Henley Business's ICMA centre seems to be a really good program for finance. But of course, I'm not from the UK so I'm not clear on the reputation of the programs. Do you have any insight?</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks so much for your help!</div>

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted May 08, 2020 06:16

Yes. Kings' MiF isn't ranked because it does not have such good outcomes.

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Andrew Lin

5 9

Posted May 08, 2020 15:07

Yes. Kings' MiF isn't ranked because it does not have such good outcomes.

Thank you!

[quote]Yes. Kings' MiF isn't ranked because it does not have such good outcomes. [/quote]<div><br></div><div>Thank you!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

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