MSc Finance (part-time) student blog
Studying a world-renowned MSc programme while holding down a job may seem daunting. How do our students rise to the challenge?
Vera Haanpää, MSc Finance (part-time), LSE, describes her experience.
I am originally from Finland and moved to London for my undergraduate studies. I studied BSc Economics at City, University of London, graduating with First-Class Honours in 2020. From there, I spent two years at Barclays in Nordic Coverage, advising on large-cap M&A, IPOs, and DCM transactions, before moving into strategic roles in the tech industry. In June 2025, during the final year of my Master's, I started a Private Equity internship at Bregal Milestone, a pan-European growth equity firm focused on B2B software and tech-enabled businesses and part of Bregal Investments. It has been a fantastic way to put the theory from the programme directly into practice.
a rigorous and respected qualification in the industry
LSE has always been my dream school - it was the only place I applied for my Master's. I had long been inspired by the research coming out of the LSE Finance department, and I had seen first-hand the doors it opens. The MSc Finance is a rigorous and highly respected qualification in the industry, and what makes LSE unique is that it is not just a school - it is an institution. As a finance student, you can find yourself in the same building as some of the most influential voices in politics, economics, and social science. Education is something that no one will ever take away from you, and I think it is the best investment with the highest ROI.
A fresh start
The year kicked off with a welcome reception and orientation, followed by a dinner at the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, one of those venues that is straight out of Hogwarts, all grand halls and ancient libraries. The evening brought together the new first-year cohort and returning second-years, with professors from the department joining as well. There is something energising about meeting the new intake and remembering exactly how you felt walking into your first LSE class - and something equally satisfying about being on the other side of that now.
Your degree, your direction
The biggest difference in the second year is the electives. The first year is a shared experience by design - everyone builds the same foundations together, which works well both academically and for bonding the cohort. Year two opens up considerably.
shape the year around what matters most to you
I took the corporate finance route, choosing venture capital, M&A, private equity, and sustainable finance, as these were directly relevant to my work in private equity. Friends who went the asset markets route were equally happy with their selections. One practical detail worth knowing is that you can try each elective for the first two weeks before confirming your final choices, which takes a lot of the pressure out of the decision. In short, there are plenty of options here, and the department gives you the room to shape the year around what matters most to you.
Mergers, Buyouts and Corporate Restructuring
The weekly group modelling work in this module was built around Harvard case studies spanning different industries. Having spent almost three years in investment banking, I still found new angles and fresh perspectives in every class - whether on deal structuring, negotiation dynamics, or valuation - and the four live cases we worked through as a class were particularly effective at sharpening my negotiation skills.
Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Finance
This module struck a great balance between making sense of the venture world and understanding startup financing structures - particularly relevant given London's emergence as a leading AI and startup hub. As someone working with high-growth companies, it was invaluable for understanding early-stage valuation methods and how to identify winners within a venture portfolio. It also gave me genuine confidence reading term sheets in my own role.
A highlight was preparing full investment pitches - building the financial model, structuring the deal, drafting the term sheet, and putting together the presentation - then pitching to partners at top venture capital firms who gave us real, detailed feedback. After the presentations, we had dinner with the partners, which made for a great evening of networking in a relaxed setting. It felt less like a class exercise and more like the real thing.
Private Equity
This was one of my favourites across the entire programme. Despite working in private equity, I found myself learning something new in virtually every lecture - whether from the GP perspective, the LP perspective, or in relation to value creation strategies.
One session that stood out in particular was when Joe Osnoss, Partner at Silver Lake, came in to discuss one of his deals - one we had been asked to model and propose a transaction structure for in advance. Hearing direct feedback on your own work from someone of that seniority is genuinely rare. You are not just reading about how a deal gets done - you are hearing from the people who did it, and there were often opportunities to stay and network with them afterwards.
Sustainable Finance and Impact Investing
This was a fascinating area that is rapidly gaining importance for any investor operating in Europe. It covered both the academic foundations and the more applied private market side through real-life case studies. Given how much ESG regulation is moving right now, the module gave me much more confidence in sourcing and evaluating companies in the ESG space - something that feels increasingly relevant in any investor role in Europe.
Life around the programme
The Brighton trip is the social anchor of the year. It is a mix of lectures from professors and bonding activities, and one of the best chances to meet people outside your own programme. The highlight was a treasure hunt across Brighton, followed by a dinner with a DJ that turned into a proper night out. Another unmissable date in the calendar is the yearly Finance Gala.
A weekly highlight closer to home was heading to the George IV pub after lectures - the cohort would gather, share the week's wins or losses, and those evenings became as much a part of the programme as the lectures themselves.
LSE also has societies for every background and interest. Classmates found their own corners of LSE too, from wine tasting to chess. It is a nice reminder that the LSE community extends well beyond finance.
Serving as a student representative added another dimension to the year. Gathering feedback from classmates and working directly with the department and professors to shape how the programme is developed gave me a much broader perspective. The alumni drinks events were a further highlight - relaxed, genuinely interesting, and a good reminder that the LSE Finance community extends well beyond your own cohort and continues long after the programme ends.
Career development and networking opportunities
Beyond the academic programme, LSE offers a strong set of career development resources - and I made full use of them. I had multiple sessions with external consultants covering CV building, strategic career positioning, and exploring different paths within finance.
The Finance department also runs its own City Speaker Series exclusively for department students. On the practical side, there are dedicated workshops covering summer internship applications, consulting, case studies, and technical interview preparation.
you have two full years to build these connections
VC Society and Private Equity Society take this further with their own packed calendars of evening events. One of the underrated advantages of a two-year programme is that you have two full years to build these connections - far more time than a one-year degree allows.
The societies also organised office visits throughout the year. Walking into these offices and meeting people in their own environment is a different experience from a panel talk, and honestly these visits were among the best networking opportunities I had during the entire programme. As an LSE student, you can also attend the LSE Alternative Investment Conference - one of the largest alternative investment conferences in the world.
I also want to mention Neesha Rai, the Associate Programme Director for MSc Finance, who was always available for a helpful conversation - whether about career decisions, the programme, or just figuring out the next step.
Final reflections
Looking back, the second year goes fast. The electives allow you to go deep on what actually matters to you professionally and where you want to take your career. But what I will remember most is the people. After spending so many hours together - late nights, dinners between lectures, weekends in the library - the cohort really does become your family.
Balancing full-time work with part-time study is demanding, and I would not pretend otherwise - especially in a job with above-average hours. It requires real-time management and prioritisation. But it is absolutely manageable with the right approach. It is a genuine career accelerator.
You will not regret it
The programme gives you far more than a degree - it gives you a network, a community, and friendships that stay with you long after graduation. And as an LSE alumnus, you carry a name that opens doors and starts conversations wherever you go in finance or business. If you are considering it, my advice is simple: apply. You will not regret it.
MSc Finance (part-time) at LSE