Studying masters in Banking. Worth it?

ahxcjb

Goldiegirl wrote: »

In retail banking, in my experience, most of the managers have come up 'through the ranks'

Some years ago there were occasionally fast track schemes for graduates, bit I don't know of any banks do them now.

Then you need to learn how to use Google. The big 4 banks all have significant investments in graduate schemes in retail banking.

PhenoM

You'll be better off doing something like CeMAP or CeFAP or something on those lines.

Look at the various courses offered by IFS.

Caladan

I think it's important to note the OP is looking at a Masters degree, rather than just qualifications to be successful in banking - If he has this chance he should take it one way or another in my opinion, regardless of what the MA is actually in (an MA is still an achievement not many people obtain).

ahxcjb

An MA in 'Banking' is worthless, I can assure you. No Bank in the United Kingdom will take that qualification seriously. If you are serious about finance, read Economics or - at worst - 'Business Studies' (a poor mans economics). Don't waste your money for a degree that no employer will take seriously, as well as the institution that awarded it (I know of no Russell Group university that awards such a joke degree).

myright

Thank you so much guys. I'm already studying for a cemap. Also in terms of masters, its clear its pointless doing it in banking. If you guys were in my position what would you do it in. Btw I already have sound knowledge in economics by studying it in A levels and my business degree. Not sure if its the right thing to waste any more time studying economics.

robatwork

I think Business Studies is a waste of paper. Economics is more of an art than a science and if I was an employer in the banking sector then I would favour a graduate from a mathematics background.

I am an employer in another sector and it's quite a shock when I see some of the "degrees" that walk through the door, and the lack of education of the people they are attached to. Media Studies anyone?

rb10

myright wrote: »

Thank you so much guys. I'm already studying for a cemap. Also in terms of masters, its clear its pointless doing it in banking. If you guys were in my position what would you do it in. Btw I already have sound knowledge in economics by studying it in A levels and my business degree. Not sure if its the right thing to waste any more time studying economics.

I think you first need to think about where you want this to take you. You mention management in retail banking, but does this mean in a branch, call centre, head office support function, head office specialist role ... ?

Hominu

myright wrote: »

I made mistakes in the past with my life/ career/ studies etc. I dont want to anymore. I have also learnt that choices are not always about what you 'enjoy' the most.

I disagree. Mistakes is what makes us human, mistakes is what makes us better. I wouldn't say that I'd what to make mistakes, but learning from my mistakes makes me better.

I'd also say that enjoying life is far more important than a job which pays more money. I know I could get 5 - 10K more than what I get now, but if I'm unhappy then what's the point? At my current job I enjoy the work, have fun with the people I work with, etc.

ColdIron

robatwork wrote: »

I am an employer in another sector and it's quite a shock when I see some of the "degrees" that walk through the door, and the lack of education of the people they are attached to

I know what you mean, some of the CVs I see are shocking. What I do to winnow out the good ones is to throw the first half straight in the bin. After all, you wouldn't want to employ someone unlucky would you?

robatwork

ColdIron wrote: »

I know what you mean, some of the CVs I see are shocking. What I do to winnow out the good ones is to throw the first half straight in the bin. After all, you wouldn't want to employ someone unlucky would you?

I'll tell you what's really depressing. I used to discard every CV that had even the slightest typo or error. On the basis that if they couldn't even be bothered to get their CV checked by someone literate then they were sloppy.

If I was that strict now I would throw away all of them.