BOCCONI AFC vs ESSEC MIM
Hello everyone,
I have been accepeted to Bocconi for the Accounting, Finance & Control master's degree and also at ESSEC for MIM. I would want to enter in IB after my masters, preferably in London, but otherwise Milan or Switzerland would be fine. What are your thoughts on these Master's degrees? Would pursuing the AFC program still allow me to break into IB or would I be relegated mostly to audit? Would pursuing the specialization in finance (70% of all courses) at ESSEC enhance my chances of breaking into IB rather than doing AFC?
I have to make a decision within one week, so any answers would be extremely useful.
Based on the discussions from Wall Street Oasis, particularly those involving European Master in Finance programs, it's clear that both Bocconi and ESSEC are highly regarded institutions. Here’s a breakdown to help you make an informed decision:
Bocconi AFC (Accounting, Finance & Control):
ESSEC MIM (Master in Management):
HEC MIM:
Ranking and Decision: - If your interest leans more towards finance and you are not admitted to HEC, Bocconi could be a better fit given its strong finance-oriented curriculum. - For a broader scope that includes strong consulting opportunities, ESSEC would be a compelling choice. - Should you get into HEC, it might be the best option given its balanced strength in both finance and consulting, along with its global recognition.
Ultimately, your decision might also depend on where you want to work post-graduation, as each school has a stronger network in different geographic locations. Bocconi is very strong in Italy and Europe, ESSEC in France and Europe, and HEC globally.
Sources: European Master in Finance programmes (pre-experience), Best PE Analyst Programs vs Opportunity Cost (top IB), Can Someone Rank the Top FLDP Programs to go into out of Undergrad?, Q&A - top 10 MBA vs MSF vs MMS, Duke MMS
First year AFC student here. Currently doing an internship in IB and have just a few classmates going to top IBs in London this summer. Don’t know anyone from my class who is pursuing consulting. If you speak Italian it will be pretty easy to place well in Milan. Have to admit that the finance class had way better placement for London SA this year, but I think it’s due to selection bias (higher GPAs and more finance bros and highly competitive individuals) than the course per se. All the great students I know that just preferred AFC over Finance are placing very well.
Placement in Milan is equal between Finance and AFC. Actually AFC has better placement for some banks such as Rothschild and Mediobanca
Any insight on placement for IB from the Bocconi IM program?
People who do that are not usually serious into banking. Apart from that solid, but not the most famous course
Any other opinions?
Bocconi hands down!
Especially if you are coming from a less technical undergrad. Bocconi will teach you the technicals very well and although placement is not as great in London as it was in the past it is still miles above ESSEC.
What are exactly the career prospectives of AFC? Can you easily break in IB (my goal would be doing M&A) or do only a few lucky individuals end up in IB? My fear is that If I am not able to land summer internships in IB, this degree will relegate me to doing audit in Big 4. Another thing that I have not mentioned is that the AFC course is in italian. Does this lower my chances of landing internships in London?
Thanks very much for the insights. Really appreciate it.
you won't be stuck doing big4 lil bro lol. you can place at some MM or respectable boutique otherwise. London SA is difficult even for Oxbridge so don't sweat it too much. i got into cleli this year so you can pm me if you want
I agree with the previous comment that M&A London is difficult to place irrespective of where you are. The course being in Italian makes a big difference to the English course AFC, not because of the language but because of the very different profiles of people you will meet. I still don't believe you would end up doing audit at a big 4 but now the choice between ESSEC and Bocconi is not that clear to me. Italian Bocconi and International Bocconi are two completely different experiences, almost like two different universities with similar course structures
Italian here. Bocconi is the only target in Italy, so if you wanna stay in Milan go for it. In regards to London, I know it places well but its difficult (you would ideally need a very high GPA and 2 internships and even like this it would be tough). In regards to ESSEC, I know from friends of mine that it is very well regarded in France. I know it places some students in London but I do not know if this applies only for the MIF and if it applies mostly to french students or also non-french. They're both great schools so either way you'll be fine as long as you work hard and network your way through the program.
Congrats on the admission!
Have friends and colleague from both Bocconi and ESSEC. Agree with comments that Bocconi AFC students are not as hyped for IB vs Bocconi Finance, but I don’t see it as a negative.
ESSEC is strong but going into management with some finance if you want to do IB?
Bocconi AFC gives you all the technical content you need for inv baking and brand is super strong in Italy, London and Switzerland too. Difference between AFC and Finance in Bocconi is on the quant / financials markets / econometrics side but if you want to do IB this is not an issue.
I did study in Italy but not in Bocconi, going back I would 100% try to get in. I know people going from AFC straight to PE without even going through IB.
And I have the feeling that outside Italy and France Bocconi > ESSEC as brand and alumni network.
For me would be no brainer to go to Bocconi as it seems it keeps getting better and better as international brand and placement.
Good luck!
Thanks very much for your opinion. Can I pm you?
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