MSc Finance & Economics Alumni Profiles

Abdullah Rizwan
BSc in Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics, University of Birmingham
Now in Structuring - Risk Advisory at Crédit Agricole

The mathematical rigour was what first attracted me to the MSc Finance and Economics. Coming from Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics, I had no formal background in finance or economics at all, and F&E's reputation for mathematical rigour made it the right choice for someone making a full disciplinary switch. LSE's summer school beforehand was a useful head start too, letting me build up core metrics and microeconomics before term began.

The options and derivatives pricing section of FM436 turned out to be one of the most directly useful pieces of the whole programme. Understanding the mathematical structure behind option pricing, and the replication logic that underpins no-arbitrage arguments, gave me a way of thinking that came up constantly across the interview process, being able to reason through a pricing problem from first principles rather than just recalling a formula. It's the kind of material whose value only became fully clear once I was sitting in interviews being asked to apply it. Microeconomics and game theory also came up in the form of brainteasers.

The other thing that stood out was the cohort itself, classmates from physics, engineering, and economics backgrounds all approaching the material from different angles. What helped most in terms of deciding where to apply was making use of the department of finance careers' one-on-one consultations, talking through the different paths I was considering, sales and trading, structuring, investment banking, and having a conversation with professionals from the industry about which one fit how I wanted to work, rather than applying everywhere.

My advice to anyone making a similar switch from a STEM background: the mathematics will click faster than you expect, but it's worth using the career consultations early to properly narrow down which specific path within finance you want to aim for, rather than spreading applications too broadly.

Aarav Shah
BA (Hons) in Economics, University of Cambridge
Now a Business Analyst at McKinsey

I joined F&E for the combination of academic rigour and intellectual challenge the programme offered, alongside a course structure and content that expanded my future career options across a wide range of roles, including corporate finance and investment banking, management consulting, trading and financial markets, and academia and research.

Coming from an undergraduate degree focused on foundational and theoretical teaching, I really appreciated how practical the course content was, whether in a research or industry context. It helped me both in interviews and in hitting the ground running in a new role.

The programme is very well organised, and the department is well resourced and proactive in providing career and academic support. The quality of teaching is excellent: the professors are enthusiastic, friendly and always happy to help you understand the material. Another real highlight was meeting incredible people from all different backgrounds. The programme also encourages you to enjoy London with your classmates through fun activities throughout the year, which I wasn't expecting from a master's programme.

Chiara Bargellesi
BSc in International Economics and Finance, Bocconi University
Now a PhD Student in Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I chose the MSc Finance and Economics because I wanted a program that would prepare me for a competitive predoctoral program and eventually a PhD. I was eager to explore my interest in Macro-Finance, and F&E’s mix of challenging courses and record of alumni advancing to top PhD programs made it the ideal choice.

The knowledge gained at F&E has been invaluable in my current predoctoral program at Stanford. Theoretical and quantitative foundations prepared me to apply advanced economic analysis in rigorous PhD-level coursework. Writing my Structured Project helped me develop independent research skills, formulate testable questions, and tackle coding-intensive projects - skills I now apply daily in my research assistantship.

One aspect I will always carry with me from F&E is the experience of studying alongside brilliant peers and learning from world-leading researchers. Conversations with classmates and professors were consistently inspiring, making the experience intellectually enriching and unforgettable.

Sylvain Girard
Preparatory School in Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science - Louis Pasteur
BSc and MSc in Engineering from Télécom Paris (Les Grandes Ecoles) specialising in Data Science and Cybersecurity
Now a High-Frequency Trading Quantitative Researcher

Coming from a background in mathematics, physics, and computer science, I realised I was missing an understanding of finance and economics. I chose the MSc Finance and Economics at the LSE to challenge myself and gain a more complete view of the world. With no prior training in finance, I had to learn everything from scratch—an intense but extremely rewarding experience.

The rigorous and highly quantitative nature of the programme exceeded my expectations. It equipped me with the tools and confidence to compete successfully in quantitative trading competitions and ultimately secure my ideal role as a quantitative researcher.

The F&E programme was a turning point, bridging my technical background with finance and opening the door to the career I had been seeking. After starting my career as a quantitative researcher in a hedge fund, I co-founded a legal tech company later sold to Thomson Reuters, before returning to high-frequency trading.

Eleni Georgopoulou
BSc Hons in Economics, Athens University of Economics and Business
Now an Investment Banking Analyst, Goldman Sachs

For me, a key highlight of the programme was definitely being a student representative for F&E and forming a strong network of individuals coming from different backgrounds. It truly helps in building a sense of community across the entire cohort, which continues way beyond graduation.

The advice I would give to prospective students is to stay curious, and do not be afraid to raise your hand and ask questions. The most interesting conversations emerge out of unexpected questions.

Looking back, the knowledge and quantitative skills I obtained through the Applied Corporate Finance elective course and Financial Econometrics core course have equipped me with an in-depth understanding of financial analysis in my day-to-day job. This skill set had also enabled me to hit the ground running as an investment banking analyst, right after the F&E programme.

Pei-Heng Lin
BA in Economics & BBA in Finance, National Taiwan University
Now a PhD Student in Finance, University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

I was vacillating between working in finance and doing a PhD. I joined F&E for its unique programme structure, which was meticulously designed to be both academically rigorous and practically relevant in today’s ever-changing environments.

The training I received from F&E has shaped my research taste. The F&E programme equipped me with a solid understanding of research frontier in finance, quantitative skills that are useful in both academia and industry, and the state-of-the-art practices in financial markets. Writing a dissertation under the supervision of leading LSE scholars also taught me how to explore policy-relevant questions through academic research, which has played an important role in my PhD journey.

Studying finance and economics with the brightest minds from the four corners of the earth has been an inspiring experience. F&E alumni are everywhere in leading financial institutions and top PhD programmes, and I look forward to seeing more students join this dynamic and supportive network.

Isabella Gschossmann
BSc. in Business Administration, LMU Munich.
Now a PhD candidate at Imperial College, having completed a traineeship at the European Central Bank

I chose to do the MSc Finance and Economics at LSE because of the excellent prospects it brings to students with PhD ambitions in finance or economics. Its reputation, the guidance provided by the department and the quality of training all contribute immensely to students’ success in applications. The degree has further helped my career by opening various paths, hence allowing me to gain experience in central banking before pursuing a PhD. Finally, it has equipped me with the skills and knowledge required to be successful in research, which eventually gave me the confidence to pursue graduate studies.

The highlight of the programme definitely is sharing this experience with your F&E cohort, which will be full of very ambitious and bright people. I advise prospective students to be open-minded and make use of all the opportunities the MSc brings, including the connections it offers to current and past students.

Ahmet Erdem Cetintas
BA in Economics & BSc in Mathematics, Bogazici University
Now at Risk Control Ltd

I was looking for a programme which would prepare me for academia as well as equip me with a skill set for an industry job. MSc Finance and Economics was the perfect choice considering its excellent placement record for top PhD programs and industry jobs.

I am currently a quantitative analyst at a risk consulting firm. The core courses provided the financial, mathematical, and statistical theory required for my role. With the help of the coding assignments in the elective courses, I applied my theoretical knowledge to hands-on work, which is crucial for the quantitative projects at my job.

The programme is fast-paced and packed with information. Learning from the professors who are the best in their fields is a great experience. Although it is sometimes challenging to keep up, my advice for prospective students is to make the most of the programme. The department staff is helpful and always supports you if you have any issues. Finally, enjoy London with your amazing classmates!

Eli Chadaida
Preparatory School for Engineering School – Lycée Sainte-Genevieve
BSc and MSc in Engineering from CentraleSupelec Engineering School (Les Grandes Ecoles)
Now in a Predoctoral position at the Centre For Macroeconomics at the London School of Economics, having completed a one-year traineeship at the European Central Bank in the Directorate General of Market Operations

The F&E programme drew me for its mix of quantitative rigour and real-world economic applications. It offers a panoramic view of finance and economics – covering financial econometrics, corporate finance, and micro/macroeconomic modelling.

Beyond its reputation, F&E reshaped how I think. Coming from engineering, it helped me build a strong economic intuition that I daily use at work, but also in my personal life when following the news or debating economic topics. Furthermore, this intuition is anchored in strong mathematical foundations, giving me a rigorous quantitative profile that is highly valuable in the workplace.

The highlights of the program are the people. I am still in touch with classmates in Frankfurt, Paris, and London, and the LSE community makes it easy to connect with professionals across the global economics and finance industry. I also loved my dissertation, which deepened my interest in research and encouraged me to pursue an academic path.

Wenchuan Zhao
Bachelor in Accounting, Tsinghua University
Now DPhil in Finance student, University of Oxford.

The F&E programme is a compass that activates the magnets of knowledge and intelligence, as it features extraordinary academic resources in one of the best finance departments in the world. I chose it over many other alternatives as preparation for Ph.D. study, and this was the best decision I have ever made! At LSE, each professor makes a great effort to explain financial theory clearly and is approachable; giving you the chance to immerse yourself in all aspects of financial economics. Based on broad exploration during the year, I was able to decide my research field for later study.

The programme is rigorous and challenging, summer break before the start is a good time for math refreshing and self-study. Participate in lectures and office hours actively, as you will receive valuable advice from course study to career decisions. The relationship with professors is shaped by you, and it is truly beneficial, as they always support you without reservation.

Max Crawford
BEng in Mechanical Engineering, Loughborough University
Now a rates trader at Nomura

The MSc Finance & Economics programme particularly appealed to me as I was transitioning from a role in credit risk management and looking to move into global markets. With an undergraduate background in Mechanical Engineering, this degree provided the perfect bridge into the financial sector and was especially well-suited to those from STEM disciplines.

After graduating this summer, I completed a summer internship at Nomura in the Global Markets division. The content taught in FM436, FM437 and FM408 proved invaluable, enabling me to grasp concepts quickly and apply them in practice thanks to the core principles and techniques covered in those modules. I have since accepted a full-time offer to join the rates trading team.

The quality of the teaching and support on the programme was excellent, and a real highlight for me was the friendships I formed with my course-mates. I hadn’t expected this from a master’s programme, but I found myself surrounded by interesting, fun, motivated peers who have since gone on to diverse careers, relationships I hope to keep for the long term.

Krishan Jethwa
MPhys Physics with Theoretical Physics, University of Manchester
Now a Quantitative Trader at MarkovTech Capital.

The Finance and Economics programme was particularly attractive to me after talking to alumni who spoke of the rigorous treatment of mathematics and statistics this course provides. As someone with a scientific background and two years’ experience in a tech role with a hedge fund, this appealed to me.

I was not disappointed, as the core courses are taught by leaders in the field who share this passion for rigour and, who are keen to impart knowledge and discuss ideas with the students. This is a great learning opportunity, and one of the most valuable things LSE has to offer.

The core courses in this programme are amazing, and taught me many new statistical and mathematical methods, from Game Theory to advanced time series analysis. These are not only taught in an academic context but spoken about in the context of how you would use it in practice, and I regularly use the methods I learnt in my daily work as a quantitative trader.

Otávio Moreno Bitu
Bachelor in Economics, Sao Paulo School of Economics - Fundação Getulio Vargas (EESP-FGV)
Now an incoming PhD candidate in Finance at the LSE, following one year as a Policy Analyst in the Capital Markets Division at the Bank of England

After completing my Bachelor's degree I wanted to undertake graduate level courses that ultimately would prepare me to pursue a PhD in Finance. Without too much effort I found the best option: the MSc Finance and Economics programme at the LSE, based on having leading researchers teaching the courses and impressive alumni profiles. I attest it is a very challenging degree, but it is impressive how the programme is well-recognised across the financial industry and academia. It is a really rewarding journey!

I am grateful for the excellent preparation the F&E programme provided me with; namely the opportunity to join the Capital Markets Division at the Bank of England, as well as to receive offers for PhDs in Finance. I strongly recommend the programme for those willing to deepen their Financial Economics knowledge, possibly willing to apply for PhD programmes in Finance or Economics afterwards.

Yikang Li
MSc in Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces and an MSc in Physics with Theoretical Physics, Imperial College London.
Now an Analyst at Barclays.

The F&E programme is mathematically challenging but also very interesting. The programme offers a chance to explore both worlds of Economics and Finance in great depth and doesn't require one to have complete knowledge in finance before joining. Game theory and stochastic processes are really interesting, and econometrics is invaluable. Besides that, this programme also offers great freedom for students to choose the courses they like.

For me, the most useful course was financial econometrics. The professors explain the concepts and math of various statistical models and tests in great detail. Especially in the Winter term, the thorough explanation of time series, GARCH model, and Bayesian statistics really intrigued me and has helped me greatly in my career.

In this programme, one not only meets world-leading professors and researchers but also makes friends with the smartest people. I learnt a lot not only from the class but also from the classmates and friends around me.