MSc Finance & Economics Student Profiles

Sarah Ridout
BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics, University of Oxford

I came to the programme straight out of undergrad because I planned to pursue a PhD in economics or finance. Previous professors had told me that the MSc Finance and Economics programme at LSE would provide a good foundation for PhD work (and a good chance of admission if I did well). This turned out to be true.

While at LSE, I was impressed by the commitment of the faculty and administration to help each student get where he or she wanted to be at the end of the year, whether that was a top PhD programme or a good job in industry. I would advise future MSc Finance and Economics students to go to the faculty when they need some guidance about the programme or their future. I received some excellent advice from professors at LSE, who went out of their way to be helpful even to students they had not known for long.

Now a PhD Candidate in Economics, Harvard University

Yavuzhan Yilanciouglu
Bachelor in Economics and Maths, Bogazici University

The MSc Finance & Economics programme differs from others in its critical approach to financial markets. To get a good grasp of finance, you need to get your hands dirty with mathematics, economics and econometrics. Rather than memorising, you need to derive theories and statistical results by yourself. Only after that you can go beyond the repetition and critically approach your findings.

The progamme has a relatively small class size, which creates a very active and inclusive in-class experience. Learning from the some of the world’s best researchers in finance and being a part of a closely-knit cohort of bright and hardworking students is a great experience. The faculty is highly involved with the programme. For example, most of the problem solution sessions are taught by the faculty members themselves in classes of 10 to 15, which is rarely the case elsewhere. Moreover, the administrative staff does a great job to ensure that we make the most of both the academic environment and the career opportunities at LSE. Thanks to the staff’s efforts, there is a successful feedback mechanism which ensures that students' views are taken into account.

After graduation, I will be working at Oliver Wyman’s Istanbul Office as a consultant in financial services.

Enrico Calabresi
Bachelor in Economics and Business, LUISS Guido Carli University

I was looking for a challenging and rigorous Master's programme that would keep both the industry and the PhD doors open. The MSc in Finance & Economics at LSE was the natural choice to me, and it turned out to exceed my already high expectations. The programme fully exploits what makes LSE one of the top universities in the world, namely its reputation for ground-breaking impeccable research and its overly successful job placement record. You have the opportunity to make your profile very attractive to employers and at the same time explore the very foundations of Finance and Economics theory. What’s more, you will meet extraordinary people coming from a variety of different backgrounds and having extremely diverse aspirations for their future.

You should make the most of your time in LSE without stressing too much about finding a job. From the academic faculty to the staff, everybody is genuinely interested in your success in the programme and will guide you through it. Be also open to know your fellow students and make friendships that will last far more than your time in London.

Sun Yong Kim
Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Economics, University of New South Wales

I saw the programme as the perfect preparation for pursuing a PhD in Finance. Top Finance PhD programs recognise the quality of this training which is why the MSc Finance & Economics programme has a long established history of placing students in the top 10 US Finance PhD programmes.

Having read many of Professor Ian Martin's papers during my undergraduate years, I was most excited to be able to take his FM436 classes, which were truly illuminating and a highlight of the programme. He was also easily accessible outside class to talk about his research as well as general advice for prospective PhD students.

The programme is intense and fast-paced so it is essential to come prepared to work hard from the beginning. There is a rapid learning curve over a short period of time so addressing any academic weaknesses in the critical areas of mathematics, economics and statistics before the start of the programme is important. The F&E programme was not only the most challenging academic experience of my life but also the most humbling. Coming to terms with the fact that I was not the smartest person in the class was difficult at first but helped give me the confidence to ask for help when needed. I would not have gained half as much from the programme had I not collaborated extensively with my classmates both academically and socially.

After graduation, I will commence my Finance PhD at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.